Am I the Only One Who Doesnt Find Green Wing Funny
An acquired taste, but easy to acquire
ssih 22 September 2004
It took me most of the first episode to come to grips with this show, but now that I've become accustomed to the characters and the constant speed-up/slow-down video methods used, I find that I really like it.
As someone who sees way too much US comedy that is utterly predicateble and done to death, it's nice to see something that surprises me, and I'm shocked about once a minute with Green Wing. The woman staff administrator (sorry - I don't know most of the actors' names) is an absolute howl. They should have 15 minutes of each show with her talking with Dr. Todd.
I truly hope this show sticks around.
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Fifteen years later (!) and it's still fresh and funny
Green Wing is, in my mind, one of a kind.
This show manages to successfully combine conventional elements of a drama/comedy (a compelling romance plot, likable characters, a seemingly grounded hospital setting) with wacky madcap slapstick, mind-bendingly surreal escapism and sketch comedy. Doing so is no mean feat.
Even after seeing the series multiple times, every time I watch the show I undergo the same process as a viewer. Initially I feel slightly weirded out by the unusual filming style (slow-mo and fast forwards are used an awful lot) and juxtaposition of comedy and occasional effective drama. It's so different from the standard TV fare even in 2019.
Then after a few episodes suddenly I once again feel totally at home with the style. By the end of the show I always feel a real final sense of sadness that there are no more episodes in this unique style and format with these great characters!
Perhaps my favourite aspect of the series is that despite it's insane surreal comedy and ridiculously over the top situations, it still manages to exactly nail the real feelings of social anxiety, social awkwardness, work stress and romantic failure that exist in real life. Somehow the show can be a completely mad melodramatic exaggeration of reality and yet still keep the bits of reality you most recognise and empathise with.
Caroline's house party is a notable example of this kind of blend; everyone's dressed oddly and behaving hilariously but at the same time the scene genuinely feels one hundred percent like every fun-but-sketchy-and-awkward house party I ever went to as a Uni student.
The cast is universally excellent, but my special shout out has to go to Mark Heap as Dr. Alan Statham. Heap has been a standout cast member in everything I've seen him in, from Jam to Spaced to Green Wing and the man possesses prodigious talent for both comedic acting and physical comedy.
I also really like Tamsin Greig as Caroline Todd, she brings a kooky humanity Todd that makes her a very compelling "everywoman" character. She's not as mad as everyone else (endearing her to the audience), but is still quirky enough to feel like one of the gang.
Perhaps my only disappointment with the show was the ending; personally, I feel like the series could have gone on a good deal longer and it's a shame it ended after only a couple of seasons. The latter half of Season 2 and the Special ending feels rushed in comparison to the rest of the series, as if the writers were simply told by the execs upstairs to make it a wrap.
Anyway, if you haven't seen it...see it!
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Brilliant Show--NOT just another hospital show.
This show is so utterly brilliant. The other day my husband came home while I was watching it and said he could hear me laughing halfway down the sidewalk. May take one or two episodes to acquire a taste for this show, as it is so different from what you're used to watching, but there is so much richness and depth to Green Wing. The characters, while extremely quirky, are still real. While you may be screaming with laughter at some outlandish physical comedy moment or gag one moment, the next they will surprise you with a relatively sober, very dark scene (Joanna and her flip-book of Polaroids of herself as she ages).
In the US, this airs on BBC America. I would recommend it to people who love "Arrested Development." Of course, some of the most quirky and original shows can't last through very many seasons without losing some of their sting. I just hope "Green Wing" doesn't flare out soon, or disappear as its actors become stars in high demand in Britain and the US, as I'm sure many of them will.
By the way, for those of you who are sick of "hospital" shows, don't be fooled. This show couldn't care less about the patients! You almost never even see one, unless used as a meaningless prop beneath a sheet in the operating room. Definitely no "ER," this, thank God.
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Bizarre, sick and absolutely hilarious!
I don't know whats wrong with Britain but recently we've been producing some fantastic comedies. The best comedies are, of course the bizarre and surreal ones, like Green Wing. Its just as good as Scrubs, if not better. The time for Britain's great comedies has come. This show makes up for all the crap we've been putting onto our screens, coupling, anyone? This is a comedy up there with The League of gentlemen, and is totally underrated. This is a comedy that everyone who is a fan of strange and sick humour should watch. This is a comedy that will make you cringe and laugh until some accidental pee will come out.
10/10
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"Set them free! Let them fight!"
Rude, offensive, outrageous and hilarious. I now find it hard to imagine a time before Green Wing. This and "Garth Merenghi's Darkplace" are my comedy high-points of the past year. Definitely not wholesome *family* entertainment, and thank goodness for that! Lots of swearing, sexual references, and silliness. At first I feared it might be some kind of British take on "Scrubs" but thankfully it's nothing of the sort. Each episode has me laughing outloud, and few comedy's actually make me crack up. It's full of comedy talent, and each episode can be watched again and again with new gags and nuances revealing themselves. Fantastic stuff! Oh, and unlike "Little Britain", no horrible canned laughter. Thankyou...
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Funniest British comedy in years
Love it love it love it!!
I can understand why some of its more outlandish sketches has received criticism from one-off viewers, but following through the series, characters and plots develop to hilarious consequence. Michelle Gomez (Scottish nymphomaniac) is a comedy genius - fans should check her out in the similarly underrated 'Book Group'.
My bet is that by series 2 the rest of the country will have woken up to just how good this show is - lets hope we see less of over-hyped Little Britain (does ANYONE out there find the Dennis Waterman sketch remotely funny?!). Green Wing deserves the comedy crown!! *****
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comedy of the year so far
Green Wing. What is there to say? Brilliant gags, wonderful characters, no sick "spurting blood" jokes and absolutely, wonderfully dysfunctional. Sue White is one of the best comedy characters I have ever seen, just as good as Bernard Black of Black Books and that is something. The best thing about this series (now sadly departed) is that it is completely mad! This is definitely the funniest thing this year and if it is not nominated for comedy awards, I will be quite upset and may have to throw the T.V out the window. Anyone know when the DVD is out?Please? =D
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Comedy at it's best
1of7 10 September 2005
As a fan on good humour that stretches back to the Goons, Hancock, Monty Python, and includes The Young Ones and Fawlty Towers it is always an event when you discover something that is not only very funny, but also funny in a completely new style. Green Wing is excellent. The characters larger than life and unlikely yet are totally believable. You find yourself liking even the most obnoxious characters and wishing you could be in a position to use some of their retorts. The devise of speeding up the film is more than just a gimmick, it's like a vehicle for flying you straight to the next funny situation before you've had time to recover from the previous one. Just sitting here thinking about the series brings back a familiar ache to my ribs. Do yourself a favour and see it.
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Best comedy show ever
I've lost count of the number of times I've watched the first season, the number of times I've almost been in tears of laughter, the number of times I've sat and thought...how on earth could they film that scene?...The nipple rubbing scene, toe sucking, I could go on. Silly but brilliantly clever...Aargh, the shock of the final episode of season 1 will never be topped in comedy. Who will be your favourite character? Sue White has it for me. This is my favourite comedy show of all time
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The funniest TV show EVER (since "The Office" BBC )
This show is without a doubt, the most laugh-out-loud comedy I have seen in YEARS. It's much different than "The Office," in that is standard sitcom format; a sitcom in a hospital, ala "Scrubs." But where "Scrubs" can be mushy and repetitive, GW is fresh and unsentimental. Basically, it works. All the time. It's too bad that Americans won't be able to view it anymore. Most of the US wouldn't get it anyway. And a lot of Americans would probably find it offensive. Which is too bad, because as I said, it is the funniest hour of TV I have ever seen. It has replaced "Spaced" in my heart as the best comedy. I still DO love "Spaced." The character of Sue White is the most surreal funny woman EVER on TV. And Dr. Statham deserves all the comparisons to John Cleese. He is a brilliant comedic actor, with physicality to be jealous of. In short, seek this out. Find it. Get a multi-region DVD payer. Hack yours. Do whatever you can to watch this show. With American shows like "Friends" having hundreds of episodes, it's sad that GW only has 17. But trust me, it's the best 15 hours of comedy you're likely to see in a long long time.
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Roll on the floor funny
This is the funniest series I have seen. It often left me gasping for breath after some outrageous repartee, while the next joke was already playing out. The characters have a three dimensional quality, with the relationships between them crucial to the electricity of the series. Mac and Guy and their 'love-hate' dynamic. Caroline and Mac and the respect and attraction that glides beneath the surface. Fresh and innovative. Where the personalities of the players bounce off one another, their little quirks identifiable as true to life. I am desperately awaiting the DVD release and, indeed, the next series. keep up the good work 'Green Wing'.
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Fascinating physical & mental comedy
An instant addiction, the big cast of characters are bizarre but complex enough to be believably human (unlike, say, the support roles in Will and Grace). The way they all *move* is brilliant just on its own - especially the sickeningly smooth Dr Guy (did you see him sucking Dr Martin's shirt at the party?)and Joanna the Manager, a marionette on speed. The dialogue is sharp and very funny (huge team of writers) and on top of all this, there are enough plot lines to make you really care about these hyped-up weirdos, even the radiologist nerd, played by Mark Heap, who in contrast to all geek mythology ever, gets LOADS of sex. Even if the sex is funny enough to make you wince.
So much more witty than the "let's muck about dressed up in women's clothes, har har" style of recent "Little Britain" and "League of Gentlemen".
This is a great direction for British comedy/sit-coms to veer off on. More more!
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Praise for Green Wing!
Green Wing. What can I say? A rare comedy of random hilarity and nymphomaniac doctors. I love it, yes, I really love it.
I have to say, the show would be nothing without Michelle Gomez. She is fantastic beyond all reason and each one of her scenes has me in stitches. Really, she is a comedy genius, and deserves more screen time! Her scenes with Julian (Mac) are comedy gold.
I am pleased to see a completely original comedy such as Green Wing doing so well, as I am a little tired of hearing 'Yeah but no but,' and I'm a laaady' every time I venture out...
Recently my boyfriend bought me series one on DVD (!) So I have barricaded myself in my flat until every second of it is watched!
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Does Comedy Get Any Better than this?
Amazing, Brilliant, Fantastic...Have I gone over the top with my praise? I think not, GREEN WING is simply one of, if not the best comedy series to come out of the UK in the last 10 years! The rest of the world, you don't know what your missing! I would "Set the Scene" for you, but no doubt this has been done already, so ill go onto my personal thoughts! Overshadowed so much by other shows, the first series, although very successful didn't get as much hype as I thought it would although it was utter genius! A sketch show come drama come regular sitcom, I don't remember seeing a more original series. It did take a bit of getting into, the fast pace and constant flashing between scenes did irritate a little at first, but once you get used to them you realise that this makes the show more original and doesn't spoil the action at all.
The writing and directing is second to none but the 99.9% of the praise has to go to the cast. Although a bit of a Mix and Match from other sitcoms and shows, this doesn't affect it at all and you are used to the quite famous cast in their new roles by the end of episode one and you will be left wondering if every role was written for every actor.
Although the entire cast is top notch the best things about this show is the wonderful Michelle Gomez, who's role of Sue White is the best comedy character I have ever seen. Her performances are flawless bordering on psychosis from one minute and Normal (well as normal as Sue Gets) the next. I find myself laughing before she has done anything and if she just stood there the audience would be in hysterics. Mark Heap as Dr Alan Statham is a close second but when paired with Pippa Haywood's Joanna Clore is rite up there with Gomez. Simply brilliant! With the impending release of Season 2 on DVD, I can finally relive all these glorious episodes over and over again. Judging by the viewings my Season 1 collection has got (About 5 I think now); I will certainly be getting my monies worth! If you have never seen this show, SEE IT! I give you my word you will not be disappointed!
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green wing, great
I really enjoyed green wing. i like the fact that it's kind of surreal and doesn't follow any set type of comedy. The laughs aren't clear lines, quips but a mix of things. So many comedies feel very forced but this doesn't, it's more relaxed. The characters are really accessible too, and Sue White and Guy Secretan are Really funny. But then even the 'straight' characters are much funnier than the regular stuff. and no 'learning' or 'growing', thank god. the comedy is quite soft, yet it's still enjoyable. Defo one of the top British comedies of recent years, with 'The Office' and 'Alan Partridge'. I really hope it has a second series, but it has to, right? eh?
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Fresh, different, hilarious, mad....mad mad mad
Finally a great comedy. A must see. Have been looking for a good comedy since Peep Show or the Inbetweeners, now I got it. Why is it so difficult to find these humour gems? No wonder so much TV trash out there. Watch it, worth the try.
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Sui generis
As a comedy drama series, 'Green Wing' was sui generis: relentlessly silly, surreal and scataological, it was also clever, well acted, quite insightful into aspects of human nature, and in the end, a genuinely touching love story. It was certainly an acquired taste; in the beginning, it all seemed a bit much to me, and even at the end, there were some setups I found tedious, although often scenes that initally bored me were rescued by some outrageous gag or sharp line. Quite a few of its cast went onto greater fame elsewhere; perhaps none of them have ever done anything quite so unique.
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New series
I had never seen anything like the Green Wing before, because it didn't exist, and it is now my favourite TV programme. There's something about it that you can't put a finger on that makes it hugely funny without being gross, despite some scenes that are horrible. It makes you cringe but in a bearable way, and it has all the random humour of a sketch show, with the attachment to characters of a drama or sitcom.
Green Wing is continuing with all the originality and hilariousness as the first series, despite many "critics" saying otherwise. The wire scene and Mac's coma dreams are 2 of the things to watch out for! I could give you a list of all my favourite moments but that would be a synopis of the entire episode!
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Great British Comedy
This was a special treat when it came out. Remember waiting with anticipation for the second series, which was completely over the top. Great acting, script, score and film work. On ABC Comedy now in Australia. Not to everyone's taste, but there you go!
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Why Wasn't There A Sue White When I Worked In Hospitals?
As a Glaswegian working and living away from the Dear Green Place I love seeing it's better side broadcast. Michelle Gomez is Glesga's outstanding comic ambassador today. When I worked in Glasgow's hospitals Sue White was nowhere to be seen (probably at drama school). She is excruciatingly funny at times -- through perfect timing accompanied by a host of vocal inflections and gestures I've lived 40 years waiting to see done in an authentic Glasgow accent (in a comedy which doesn't need to be as oversexed as it is). If I can criticise MG at all she occasionally takes a point beyond subtlety -- but, she does it right much more often than not. The awful compost of peoples' lives is satirised acutely -- sad that the failure to know how to find love and give the same, is so evident in the collection of characters, including SW, Green Wing sends up. For its timing and innovation, 100%. For risqué, sarcastic, surreal laughs -- largely from my favourite, Michelle G -- 100%. May your career blossom Hen!
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Funkee...
Warning: Spoilers
I've been pondering on the incredible cast of characters of this absolute masterpiece. They are, for a comedy, a pretty unique collection of deplorable and sick individuals:
Guy Secretan - Womanizer, who unknowingly sleeps with his mother. Utterly and completely selfish. Narcissist. Bully.
Sue White - Smarter than everyone else. More bonkers than anyone, too, a certified lunatic. Blackmailer. Rapist. Attempts murder at least thrice.
Alan Statham - A delusional egomaniac. A sexually frustrated, pedantic, socially insecure and completely inadequate crazy person with a stutter. Together with Joanna kills four people.
Joanna Clore - A delusional monster with way too much power at the hospital. Abuses her staff casually. Enjoys mental torture. A horrific mother to Martin.
Martin Dear - A pathetic loser with massive insecurities. Bad at everything. Drinks Guy's urine. No social skills.
Karen - A sexually insecure nymphomaniac.
Holly - A sociopath without a conscience.
And then there are Caroline and Mac, whose neuroses are almost endearing in this context. The twist in their relationship is that the entire universe seems to scheme against it.
"Green Wing", a post-modern satire of hospital soaps, is still a unique show, and a work of art. Actors are all sublime virtuosos, and perform the most unashamed and fearless acts ever committed on a tv show. The innovative editing has never been copied, and the music by Trellis is endlessly - funkee...
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Amazing
I love quirky TV shows. I like shows like 'At Home with the Braithwaites', 'Six Feet Under' and 'Teachers' because of their quirky edge. This show takes it one step further, and epitomizes that quirky, cool humour which usually has some contemporary artists music playing in the background at usual intervals.
I like the comments on popular culture such as Harry Potter and Kylie Minouge. I like the varied characters. I like the unique style in which this show is shot.
This is another great show from British comedy makers, although not quite as brilliant as shows such as 'Only fools and horses', 'Pheniox Nights' and that sort. Watch it, its the future of UK comedy!
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Green Wing: Superb
Green Wing is unbelievably original in itself and between episodes. Before 2004 I'd never heard of any of the cast and now they are at the top of my 'to-meet' list. Michelle (Sue White) gives an outstanding performance as staff liaison officer who is confined, most of the time, to her office and manages to think of a different crazy stunt for every Sue-scene. Julian and Tamsin (Mac and Caroline) bring the drama to the show in the most hilarious way possible do really take centre stage a lot of the time, excluding operating theatre scenes where Steve (Guy) stands completely centred and gets away with being the only one not wearing a mask. Boycie, Statham, Joanna and the office girls bring the outrageously bizarre comedy from Pippa (Joanna) having needles in her face to post-its on heads. Karl Theobald plays the forgetful and slow Dr Dear with some family issues going on. Victoria and her team of writers piece together a sound script and leave room for Steve and Michelle to ad-lib. Green Wing is truly the best television comedy ever. Credit to the editors too because their work shines. :D
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A Fantastic Comedy!
I have sadly only just discovered Green Wing at a friends party, and I enjoyed it so much I just bought the complete box-set! I wish I had discovered it sooner as Green Wing is long buried now, which is such a shame for a completely outrageous, genre-defying comedy.
I would urge anyone to watch this, even if you don't think you'll like it. I thought I would hate it but I'm completely hooked! The jokes are fantastic, and the plot is so neatly woven into the gags that have made me laugh out loud more times than I could count.
Characters to watch out for are Sue White (Michelle Gomez), the completely deluded staff liaison officer, and the bumbling and absurd radiologist, Dr Alan Statham (Mark Heap).
An absolute must-see!
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The most laughs out loud ever
Warning: Spoilers
Absolutely mad. Great outrageous characters, insane moments. I have never laughed out loud so much. Guy is my favourite - so selfish arrogant and such a babe magnet. Mac the hunk, stabbing Guy in the arm in the middle of an operation. Maybe Sue White the administrator who sometimes wears a squirrel costume, once jerked off a man in a coma to get the sperm to have his baby. The payoff when Dr Dear keeps trying to phone his mum - don't even try and guess it - but you'll ROTFL. Alan and Joanna - her hiding in his cupboard, him drilling a hole in it so that he can shag her up the a**e. If you like Fawlty Towers or Black Books try this. Endless stunningly inventive insanity.
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