thisbluespirit (
thisbluespirit) wrote2009-07-04 07:56 pm
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Yes, I am Frivolous and Shallow
As of last year, I managed to be in on the right night, instead of out, and discovered Hotel Babylon. It's like the anti-Spooks or something, a lot of froth and nonsense that doesn't take itself seriously and so manages to get away with it, plus a bit of moral backbone (usually supplied by Dexter Fletcher's Tony) leavens it out. So, yes, I'm frivolous and shallow and I like it.
Last night, receptionist Anna left. I was worrying she might and then her long lost turned up in an ending that went completely over the top, even for HB. I forgave them because a) it really is wonderfully daft and b) they knew they were losing the best thing in the show. Luckily, Anna (Emma Pierson) salvaged it with the emeralds, yelling at the singers to shut up, lots of bleeping and naming her baby after her lipstick. I really was desperately hoping she'd tell Charlie to get lost, though. I may have to watch it again, because I failed to accept the happy ending, being as I was praying she wouldn't really go and it was all a hoax. Er-hm.)
Anyway, just as I was thinking: will it be the same again? Will I still want to watch? And reflecting that since all the remaining characters (barring aforementioned Tony) are that little bit insane, I shall have to, when the 'Next time' trailer showed that we'd be getting two Dexter Fletchers in the next ep, one of them using his long-lost Press Gang American accent. They know how to make the viewers still tune back in for more nonsense, don't they?
And the guest cast is usually impressive. Last night had Tony Robinson (acting again instead of endless presenting, which was a nice surprise) as well as Honor Blackman. I don't know why it took me so long to get over my snobbishness (and being out on the wrong night, of course) and give in and get cheered up by the crazy world where there are frequent deaths but nothing very bad ever happens... Last year's finale was just completely bonkers. It's not technically a comedy, but sometimes it's funnier than a lot of the sit-coms around at the moment and not unintentionally, either.
Last night, receptionist Anna left. I was worrying she might and then her long lost turned up in an ending that went completely over the top, even for HB. I forgave them because a) it really is wonderfully daft and b) they knew they were losing the best thing in the show. Luckily, Anna (Emma Pierson) salvaged it with the emeralds, yelling at the singers to shut up, lots of bleeping and naming her baby after her lipstick. I really was desperately hoping she'd tell Charlie to get lost, though. I may have to watch it again, because I failed to accept the happy ending, being as I was praying she wouldn't really go and it was all a hoax. Er-hm.)
Anyway, just as I was thinking: will it be the same again? Will I still want to watch? And reflecting that since all the remaining characters (barring aforementioned Tony) are that little bit insane, I shall have to, when the 'Next time' trailer showed that we'd be getting two Dexter Fletchers in the next ep, one of them using his long-lost Press Gang American accent. They know how to make the viewers still tune back in for more nonsense, don't they?
And the guest cast is usually impressive. Last night had Tony Robinson (acting again instead of endless presenting, which was a nice surprise) as well as Honor Blackman. I don't know why it took me so long to get over my snobbishness (and being out on the wrong night, of course) and give in and get cheered up by the crazy world where there are frequent deaths but nothing very bad ever happens... Last year's finale was just completely bonkers. It's not technically a comedy, but sometimes it's funnier than a lot of the sit-coms around at the moment and not unintentionally, either.
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Anna was the completely self-absorbed receptionist (who knew she could spend money so much better than the guests) - she was pregnant this time round which never bodes well for female characters. Then there's the other receptionist, who is very gay, James the restaurant manager who knows his wines and has impeccable taste and is continually involved in a rivalry with Gino the Spanish barman. Tanya, who is the Eastern European domestic manager with a very pragmatic attitude, Emily the completely mad publicist and various managers who have come and gone. Dexter Fletcher plays Tony, who is the only level-headed, wise person around. But Anna steals the show. (It also shows off contemporary London and that's why I called it the anti-Spooks!)
It is very daft, though, and I don't know how it began - if it ever took itself seriously, it wouldn't quite get away with it (and I don't know if it did when it began or not).
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