I thought it was v well done. Little love for Cordon here but I rate him.
As an aside, it seems no US TV station is willing to broadcast the new Spitting Image, despite the UK show being re-cut to show more US friendly characters. I presume either a case of having more taste or less spine. I’ve yet to see the first episode but I’ve read the puppets are spot on and the jokes less so.
I have no problem with Corden either. Very talented, I’d say. Good actor, good presenter, good singer.
The first episode of the new Spitting Image is on youtube. I started watching it, but found it woefully unfunny. Neither the puppets nor the humour are as good as I remember them being in the original.
I can understand the reluctance of US networks to broadcast SI, despite some American money being spent on it meaning you get presumably American friendly stuff like the Rock and his sidekick, a gag which was pretty much lost on me. The gross-out humour of Trump’s tweeting anus won’t go over well in some quarters and I can’t really imagine that many American viewers will be bothered enough by Priti Patel, Raab, Gove, Boris etc to engage with their characters. Like fortuneight says, the puppets were good but agreed, the gags weren’t up to much.
It prompted a wander down a Spitting Image BritBox rabbit hole – it was bloody good when it was on form, wasn’t it?!
When Spitting Image was on top form it was very much on top for,. IT started to lose it towards the end of it’s life – almost getting a bit too serious, and possibly preachy.
Alistair Burnett wondering why the pronunciation of Uranus has changed (and a new moon in Jupiter called Bumhole), a knighthood for Donald Sinden, and Paul Daniels obedient wig.
The satire was tempered by other bits – including constant appearances by Lord Lucan.
It even spawned a number 1 record and top 10 album.
Yes, at the time it was brilliant – not seen the new one, but I fear it may be flogging a dead horse.
The targets are there, but they are perhaps too obvious – Spitting Image in it’s heyday got you to look at things in a slightly differnt way
In common with many impressionists it fell into the trap of creating its own world rather than satirising the existing one. The puppets became new characters, with their own catchphrases and so on, rather than up to date mockery of their targets.
That’s true, and the other problem was that it flattered some like Thatcher, playing to the image she liked to project of toughness. I think, admittedly on the basis of one episode, they might be doing the same again. Johnson was portrayed as a genial buffoon, not the cynical, egotistical and bullying figure that he is. And Cummings is probably flattered to be seen as some alien mastermind rather than the dishonest mediocrity that the whole country saw at the time of his Durham trip. I don’t suppose it makes much difference though – satire never seems to.
Some of it does have an impact though. The original show gave us many lasting images. I don’t suppose the new show will produce anything as resonant as this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-KoiPYshr50
Several people bought their own puppets to show how much they enjoyed a lark. When Genesis were reputed to be upset by theirs they used the puppets in their next video.
I thought David Steele always maintained it was damaging to him and Norris McWhirter (I think) tried to sue them. But on the other hand Jefferey Archer and Edwina Curry allegedly begged to be included. Steele was reported to have blanked an offer to let him but his puppet.
Corden’s a strange one. Can often be an utterly irritating tit, but undoubtedly very talented, and his Carpool Karaoke and Crosswalk The Musical features are an absolute joy.
Both the Corden clip and the Lincoln Project one are good fun but unlikely to change the minds of hardened Trump supporters. This has been proven time and time again in other campaigns.
Where they are useful is in reminding and giving heart to people who want rid of him, that they just might be able to evict him from the White House if they get out and vote on November 3rd.
If anything will get Trump back in it is slebs in New York or California endorsing the opposition.
As soon as I heard the word “Madonna” mentioned in 2016 I knew the time was up for Hilary Clinton … and the two words “Red” and “Wedge” couldn’t have been more designed to assure a Conservative landslide in the dire 1980s.
Are celeb endorsements a help or a hindrance? I think they can certainly be helpful in grabbing the attention of young voters. If the right youtube or instagram superstar gets behind your campaign, that’s going to provide a big boost. Whether James Corden is going to move the dial is less clear; he’s preaching to the converted.
I’m not sure I agree that things like Red Wedge were a turn-off. It’s a mistake to think that Paul Weller or Jerry Dammers had all the answers, but music can be used to raise awareness, as we saw numerous times in the 80s. I’m not sure it has the same potency now.
Thanks for posting, Nick. I enjoyed that immensely and was impressed by how well Corden sang too. I will be sharing it amongst people I know who will like it, the first, my sister’s verdict was “fantastic.” I enjoyed the Don’t Cry For Me too.
She was (is?) in Fascinating Aida – a female trio who did some very funny and clever songs.
There was a TV show about them once. The concept was that one of their songs would be marketed aggressively by the best in the business and turned into a hit single. The song was called “Get Knotted” and it failed to chart.
Gatz says
I have limited patience for Cordon and found the fine lines I lasted rather effortful. I like this one more
nickduvet says
Tweet of the day for me: Stephen Miller….qu’est ce que c’est , hahahaha, hahaha-hahaha…
fortuneight says
I thought it was v well done. Little love for Cordon here but I rate him.
As an aside, it seems no US TV station is willing to broadcast the new Spitting Image, despite the UK show being re-cut to show more US friendly characters. I presume either a case of having more taste or less spine. I’ve yet to see the first episode but I’ve read the puppets are spot on and the jokes less so.
Gary says
I have no problem with Corden either. Very talented, I’d say. Good actor, good presenter, good singer.
The first episode of the new Spitting Image is on youtube. I started watching it, but found it woefully unfunny. Neither the puppets nor the humour are as good as I remember them being in the original.
slotbadger says
I can understand the reluctance of US networks to broadcast SI, despite some American money being spent on it meaning you get presumably American friendly stuff like the Rock and his sidekick, a gag which was pretty much lost on me. The gross-out humour of Trump’s tweeting anus won’t go over well in some quarters and I can’t really imagine that many American viewers will be bothered enough by Priti Patel, Raab, Gove, Boris etc to engage with their characters. Like fortuneight says, the puppets were good but agreed, the gags weren’t up to much.
It prompted a wander down a Spitting Image BritBox rabbit hole – it was bloody good when it was on form, wasn’t it?!
Rigid Digit says
When Spitting Image was on top form it was very much on top for,. IT started to lose it towards the end of it’s life – almost getting a bit too serious, and possibly preachy.
Alistair Burnett wondering why the pronunciation of Uranus has changed (and a new moon in Jupiter called Bumhole), a knighthood for Donald Sinden, and Paul Daniels obedient wig.
The satire was tempered by other bits – including constant appearances by Lord Lucan.
It even spawned a number 1 record and top 10 album.
Yes, at the time it was brilliant – not seen the new one, but I fear it may be flogging a dead horse.
The targets are there, but they are perhaps too obvious – Spitting Image in it’s heyday got you to look at things in a slightly differnt way
Moose the Mooche says
It became quite pitiful in the 1990s, but the first few series were much-needed relief from the onslaught of shite in the mid-80s.
Everybody remembers the politics but it was the daft stuff that was really funny – the South Bank Show on Ronnie Hazlehurst, for example.
Gatz says
In common with many impressionists it fell into the trap of creating its own world rather than satirising the existing one. The puppets became new characters, with their own catchphrases and so on, rather than up to date mockery of their targets.
Black Celebration says
Along with many others I suspect, I grew up thinking the Queen Mother had a broad Yorkshire accent – thanks to Spitting Image.
David Kendal says
That’s true, and the other problem was that it flattered some like Thatcher, playing to the image she liked to project of toughness. I think, admittedly on the basis of one episode, they might be doing the same again. Johnson was portrayed as a genial buffoon, not the cynical, egotistical and bullying figure that he is. And Cummings is probably flattered to be seen as some alien mastermind rather than the dishonest mediocrity that the whole country saw at the time of his Durham trip. I don’t suppose it makes much difference though – satire never seems to.
nickduvet says
Some of it does have an impact though. The original show gave us many lasting images. I don’t suppose the new show will produce anything as resonant as this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-KoiPYshr50
Moose the Mooche says
The idea that you can hurt these people with satire is pretty pathetic. Kenneth Baker was depicted as a slug and he still liked Spitting Image.
Gatz says
Several people bought their own puppets to show how much they enjoyed a lark. When Genesis were reputed to be upset by theirs they used the puppets in their next video.
Moose the Mooche says
Heseltine bought his because he is a colossal egomaniac.
I think either Scarfe or Steadman won’t draw politicians’ heads any more because he doesn’t like feeding their egos.
fortuneight says
I thought David Steele always maintained it was damaging to him and Norris McWhirter (I think) tried to sue them. But on the other hand Jefferey Archer and Edwina Curry allegedly begged to be included. Steele was reported to have blanked an offer to let him but his puppet.
Moose the Mooche says
Didn’t Norris McWhirter once try to sue the Earth for going round the sun too fast? Not that he was weird or anything, no sir.
Black Type says
Corden’s a strange one. Can often be an utterly irritating tit, but undoubtedly very talented, and his Carpool Karaoke and Crosswalk The Musical features are an absolute joy.
dai says
My thoughts exactly.
Mike_H says
Both the Corden clip and the Lincoln Project one are good fun but unlikely to change the minds of hardened Trump supporters. This has been proven time and time again in other campaigns.
Where they are useful is in reminding and giving heart to people who want rid of him, that they just might be able to evict him from the White House if they get out and vote on November 3rd.
count jim moriarty says
Corden goes in the same bag as Bradley Walsh for me. Watchable as a straight actor, but otherwise unbearably irritating.
dai says
So the video was unbearably irritating?
count jim moriarty says
Why would I watch it when I find him unbearably irritating…
deramdaze says
If anything will get Trump back in it is slebs in New York or California endorsing the opposition.
As soon as I heard the word “Madonna” mentioned in 2016 I knew the time was up for Hilary Clinton … and the two words “Red” and “Wedge” couldn’t have been more designed to assure a Conservative landslide in the dire 1980s.
nickduvet says
Are celeb endorsements a help or a hindrance? I think they can certainly be helpful in grabbing the attention of young voters. If the right youtube or instagram superstar gets behind your campaign, that’s going to provide a big boost. Whether James Corden is going to move the dial is less clear; he’s preaching to the converted.
I’m not sure I agree that things like Red Wedge were a turn-off. It’s a mistake to think that Paul Weller or Jerry Dammers had all the answers, but music can be used to raise awareness, as we saw numerous times in the 80s. I’m not sure it has the same potency now.
Carolina says
Thanks for posting, Nick. I enjoyed that immensely and was impressed by how well Corden sang too. I will be sharing it amongst people I know who will like it, the first, my sister’s verdict was “fantastic.” I enjoyed the Don’t Cry For Me too.
Mike_H says
Nothing much wrong with those two, but this is a much better offering altogether.
Black Celebration says
She was (is?) in Fascinating Aida – a female trio who did some very funny and clever songs.
There was a TV show about them once. The concept was that one of their songs would be marketed aggressively by the best in the business and turned into a hit single. The song was called “Get Knotted” and it failed to chart.