This week we review Lookwell (Pilot)

Lookwell was a television pilot written and produced by Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel, the latter of whom would become a primary creative voice for O'Brien's late night show.

It starred Adam West. Despite being a "personal favorite" of NBC chairman Brandon Tartikoff (who had left that position by the time the pilot aired and was replaced by Warren Littlefield), the pilot was not picked up as a series.

It was broadcast on NBC on July 28, 1991, in a summer weekend timeslot reserved for burning off pilots which the network had passed on and has since become a cult classic.

It stars Adam West as a washed-up TV action hero—who at the peak of his career was ceremonially deputized by local law enforcement and falsely believes he can solve crimes in real life. His student Jason (played by Todd Field) becomes his sidekick.

Written by Conan O'Brien & Robert Smigel
Produced by Lorne Michaels
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer
A BGP / Broadway Video Production.
Lookwell is available here: https://bit.ly/3xEJqfL

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This week we review Not Going Out (Series 12 Episode 5)

Not Going Out is a light-hearted, fast-paced mainstream sitcom based around the life of a man un-burdened by ambition or drive. Lee deflects criticism and bad news with his trademark wit and one-liners but deep down he is looking for love, a steady job and a flat he can call his own.

By series 7, the will-they-won't-they tension between Lee and Lucy reach new highs, with Lee eventually proposing to Lucy.

In series 8 we pick up the couple's story seven years later.

The pair now live in a comfortable semi-detached home in Walton-on-Thames with their three kids: Charlie, and twins Benji and Molly but how has layabout Lee survived these dramatic life-changes?

Created by Lee Mack
Produced by Alex Hardcastle, Nick Wood, Charlie Hanson, Jamie Rix, Richard Allen-Turner, Lee Mack, Jon Thoday, Sally Debonnaire and more
Directed by Alex Hardcastle and Nick Wood
An Avalon / Arlo Production for the BBC.
Not Going Out is available here: https://bbc.in/2QsvzT2

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Bob’s Burgers (Series 12 Episode 1)

The show features the Belcher family. Bob, his wife Linda, and their children Tina, Gene, and Louise.

The family runs a burger restaurant on Ocean Avenue in an unnamed seaside community (informally known as "Seymour's Bay" among the show's writing staff).

Bob's Burgers is located in a green two-story building which features an apartment on the second floor where the Belcher family lives. The restaurant is sandwiched between two other commercial buildings, one of which houses "It's Your Funeral Home and Crematorium". As a running gag, the other building is shown in the opening credits to be a new business each week, often with names which are elaborate puns.

Created by Loren Bouchard
Produced by Bernard Derriman
A Willo Production.
Bob’s Burgers is available here: https://bit.ly/3L2debI

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Bristow (Series 2 Episode 1)

Bristow is a buying clerk (18th in line for Chief Buyer) working for the Chester-Perry organisation (the company's boss, Sir Reginald Chester-Perry, is never seen), who dreaming of grander things. Hoping the world is listening, he gives his opinions on life to anyone around, and if no one is around, is quite happy talking to himself.

His work colleagues include his friend Jones (although he claims to be 18th in line for Chief Buyer), Miss Purdy the tea lady, and fearsome boss Fudge.

Written by Frank Dickens
Produced by Neil Cargill
Directed by Neil Cargill
A BBC Production.
Bristow is available here: https://amzn.to/3zZwi59

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.

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This week we review Age Of Outrage (Series 1 Episode 1)

A pioneer of virtual production in sketch comedy and the most popular and successful TV comedy show (of 2020) featuring a sketch based in a bakers' shop.

Providing fodder for internet trolls since February 2020. With Miriam 'two bread rolls please' Isaac, Geraint Rhys 'too many characters' Edwards, Zak 'thinking' Ghazi-Torbati and Mali 'sourdough' Tudno-Jones.

Featuring a special appearance by 'Godfather of Gunge' Dave Benson-Phillips.

Written by Kate Reid, Zak Ghazi-Torbati, Dan Thomas, Sarah Breese, Berwyn Jackson, Mostyn Phillips, Beth Granville & Daniel Hooper
Produced by Phillip Moss and Paul Forde
Directed by Phillip Moss
A Small & Clever Production for BBC Wales.
Age Of Outrage is available here: https://bbc.in/3wczCsD
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Steptoe & Son (Series 3 Episode 7)

Living at Mews Cottage, Shepherd's Bush, Albert Steptoe and his son Harold are a family business. They are rag and bone men. With a yard full of battered furniture, tyres and scrap metal, Albert refuses to sell half of what Harold collects and keeps it, filling the house with worthless ornaments rather than pay the bills.

Albert is a war veteran and lived at home with Harold since he was a child. His wife has passed on leaving just the father and son. Albert is so stuck with the same routine that it is impossible for his son to do anything without Albert devising some cunning ploy to stop him.

Harold is in his late thirties and still lives at home. Not that he likes it; he hates everything about it. Paying bills, living in squalor and being on constant surveillance by his father are his biggest problems.

Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson
Produced by Duncan Wood
Directed by Duncan Wood
A BBC tv Production.
Steptoe & Son is available here: https://amzn.to/3JJ0DJP
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Police Squad (Series 1 Episode 5)

Created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, and starred Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin, Police Squad was first broadcast in the United States on the ABC network in 1982.

A spoof of police procedurals, the series featured Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker's usual sight gags, wordplay and non sequiturs. While a parody of many television shows and movies, it bore a particular resemblance to the Lee Marvin cop show M Squad (in particular the opening credits) and the late 1960s series Felony Squad.

TV Guide ranked it #7 on it’s list of 60 shows that were "Cancelled Too Soon”.

Created by Zucker, Abrahams & Zucker
Produced by Rick Correll & Deborah Hwang
Directed by various
A Paramount Production.
Police Squad is available here: https://amzn.to/3zx6CNk
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Hacks (Series 1 Episode 1)

Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedy diva, needs to re-invent her aging act to avoid losing her residency at the Palmetto Casino.

Ava is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.

When Ava's manager sends her to work as Deborah's new head writer, the two slowly bond as Ava pushes her new boss to take more risks and Deborah, in turn, helps Ava start to work through her personal problems.

Created by Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Produced by Melanie J. Elin
A First Thought / Paulilu / Femulon / 3 Arts Entertainment Production.
Hacks is available here: https://amzn.to/3PCljVZ
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Ankle Tag (Series 3 Episode 1)

Former convict Bob is forced to live with his uptight son Gruff, sympathetic daughter-in-law Alice and granddaughter Carys whilst on parole.

Gruff is a new father whose own father, Bob, suddenly comes back into his life after a long absence.

Bob is a convicted fraudster, released from prison on licence, who wants to inveigle his way back into his estranged son's life. He's charming, optimistic and warm. People like him. That's why they gave him so much of their life savings. Gruff's wife Alice is quite taken with the charming Bob.

She would be - he's a fraudster - that's how he works.

Written by Gareth Gwynn and Benjamin Partridge
Produced by Victoria Lloyd and Adnan Ahmed
A BBC Studios Production.
Ankle Tag is available here: https://bbc.in/3yYRCHL
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Only Murders In The Building (Series 2 Episode 1)

Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.

When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another.

Soon, the endangered trio comes to realise a killer might be living among them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it's too late.

Created by Steve Martin & John Hoffman
Produced by Thembi Banks, Jane Raab, Nick Pavonetti, Kristin Bernstein
Rhode Island Productions / Another Hoffman Story Productions / 40 Share for 20th Television.
Only Murders In The Building is available here: https://bit.ly/3OgjkFd
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
Subscribe for a new episode each Tuesday.