W1A, Series 2, Episode 4, TV review: Funny? Yes, but we've heard all these jokes before
Perhaps the series creators should lay off the copy and paste function
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Okay, here's the thing. So, like, the thing is The Independent's new Head of Better Content has told me it's, like, 'so Victorian' to review TV by just writing about the programme.
So, inspired by W1A and Jessica Hyne's marketing guru Siobhan Sharpe, in order to get maple syrup onto my waffle from the get go and not bore the ocean, I've reviewed the series two closer in the form of a parody. Way cool, yeah?
INT. NEW BROADCASTING HOUSE, UBIQUITOUS MEETING ROOM
David Tennant: It’s another episode of W1A, the satire show for people who find The Thick of It and Nathan Barley a bit mean, and that bloke from Downton Abbey is convening a meeting of A Bureaucratic Panel With A Long Politically Correct Name That Will Make You Laugh Knowingly.
Hugh Bonneville: So I’m going to make a relatively reasonable statement and then we’re going to go round the room doing our catchphrases.
Jason Watkins: Yes, brilliant.
Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.
Jessica Hynes: We LOVE catchphrase.
Bloke in Shirt: Woohoo.
Work Experience: Yeah, no, cool, yeah, cool.
Monica Dolan: I’m not being funny right but don’t we do this at least eight times every episode?
Jason Watkins: Yes, brilliant.
Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.
Jessica Hynes: We LOVE repetition.
Bloke in Shirt: Woohoo.
Hugh Bonneville: Well, you say that but...
Sarah Parish: The fact is, yes.
Hugh Bonneville: That’s completely out of context.
Jason Watkins: Yes, brilliant.
Hugh Bonneville: Look, it will be different this time as we’ve got some really fun stuff going on with treading on eggshells around a Muslim weatherman.
Bloke in Shirt: Woohoo.
Monica Dolan: Look, I’m not being funny
Hugh Bonneville: Sadly I think you’re right.
Work Experience: Yeah, no, cool, yeah, cool.
Monica Dolan: But aren’t jokes about being really PC about LGBT and BAME stuff, and the inherent political correctness with which well-meaning media outlets like the BBC approach them, several aeons old?
Jason Watkins: Yes, brilliant.
Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.
Jessica Hynes: We LOVE rehashing old material.
Bloke in Shirt: Woohoo.
Work Experience: Yeah, no, cool, yeah, cool.
Nina Sosanya: Look, can I interrupt?
Jessica Hynes: Bummer.
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Monica Dolan: I’m not being funny right, but why does she get two catchphrases?
Nina Sosanya: Listen, as the human heart of this programme, I feel I have to defend it a bit. It’s funny isn’t? And perceptive, and warm, and silly in the spirit of the best British sitcoms.
Jason Watkins: Yes, brilliant.
Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.
Jessica Hynes: We LOVE W1A.
Bloke in Shirt: Woohoo.
Work Experience: Yeah, no, cool, yeah, cool.
Nina Sosanya: And to write an episode of W1A must take a huge amount of comic talent, hard work and inspiration.
Hugh Bonneville: It’s just to write the rest of the series takes nothing more than knowledge of the copy and paste function on your keyboard.
Nina Sosanya: I didn’t say that.
Hugh Bonneville: Makes learning the lines easier though, eh?
Jason Watkins: Yes, brilliant.
Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.
Jessica Hyne: We LOVE easy.
Bloke in Shirt: Woohoo.
Work Experience: Yeah, no, cool, yeah, cool.
Hugh Bonneville: Maybe we could consider some new jokes for series three?
Sarah Parish: Yes, exactly, yes.
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