"World of Pub" began on radio, where they could do anything and do it quick. It was hilarious (at least, in its first incarnation).
The transfer to t.v. was not altogether successful. For instance, they tacked on a laugh track, so t.v. viewers would know when to laugh (if a show needs a cue to nudge viewers when it's time to laugh, that show should not be on the air). Fortunately, it's a soft laugh track, and one can ignore it and laugh whenever one chooses. A worse problem was the fact that they simply could not present many of the great ideas from radio (the roller-coaster was a big disappointment). On television there must be compromises on imagination.
As for the t.v. show itself -- it's about two brothers, Barry and Garry, who are always trying to drum up business for their pub. And whenever they need anything, they go to their only real regular, Dodgy Phil. After renovations (which often involve Edith Piaf) the pub adopts some new theme that, like Greek tragedy, leads inevitably to disaster.
Without the laugh track, it might have been one of the funniest shows ever. However, it would probably not have been considered universally funny.
I despise the old canard, "You'll love it or hate it." The t.v. "World of Pub" comes close. If seeing the Queen of England on fire, or watching a vomiting contest, tickles your funny bone, this is the show for you. Otherwise, you might want to drink someplace else.
The transfer to t.v. was not altogether successful. For instance, they tacked on a laugh track, so t.v. viewers would know when to laugh (if a show needs a cue to nudge viewers when it's time to laugh, that show should not be on the air). Fortunately, it's a soft laugh track, and one can ignore it and laugh whenever one chooses. A worse problem was the fact that they simply could not present many of the great ideas from radio (the roller-coaster was a big disappointment). On television there must be compromises on imagination.
As for the t.v. show itself -- it's about two brothers, Barry and Garry, who are always trying to drum up business for their pub. And whenever they need anything, they go to their only real regular, Dodgy Phil. After renovations (which often involve Edith Piaf) the pub adopts some new theme that, like Greek tragedy, leads inevitably to disaster.
Without the laugh track, it might have been one of the funniest shows ever. However, it would probably not have been considered universally funny.
I despise the old canard, "You'll love it or hate it." The t.v. "World of Pub" comes close. If seeing the Queen of England on fire, or watching a vomiting contest, tickles your funny bone, this is the show for you. Otherwise, you might want to drink someplace else.
