The League of Gentlemen New Series

Posted on 2002/09/27 09:28:44 (September 2002) by john.

Madness!

Last night the first episode of the new series of The League of Gentlemen went out on BBC2, with the second episode following immediately on BBC Choice (one of the first times I can think I've tangibly benefitted from the extra channels digital terrestial offers). It was absolutely insane! Yes, I hear you mumble, the program is generally very odd, but I thought the first two series had kind of settled into a comfortable format of obscurity. Once you'd got used to the League of Gentlemen ethos, the strange goings on seemed kind of sensible and almost expected. Regardless of this, it's important to point out, I still think the first two series were some of the best TV ever made. I wonder if the writers had noticed this, worried about the fact it might be getting into a routine, and thus made the dramatic departure the third series is seeming to be so far.
Judging by the first two episodes, it looks like they're concentrating more on individual characters - the first episode mostly about Pauline, and the second mostly about Lance the joke shop owner (who was a very minor character beforehand). However, it looks like the two stories are interwoven, so maybe they're going for a more central plot or something. They also introduced some new characters, although I wonder if a lot of them were just one-offs. The doctor who forces all of his patients to come back to his house and play party games in order to get treatment. The morgue worker. The debt collectors. The hospital radio DJ.
It's probably not a good idea to over-analyse The League of Gentlemen, and just sit back and enjoy it. Anyway though, the new series is definitely different from the previous ones, and I imagine for this reason a lot of people will say they don't like it as much. Personally I just think it's got more crazy than ever, and for the first time in absolutely years, I think I will actually try and make a point of being sure I'm in and deliberately planning to watch the next episode.

"This one goes out to Tina who having a termination today. It's the Bay City Rollers and Bye Bye Baby!"

I actually felt ashamed of laughing at that! God bless the League of Gentlemen!

Posted by Rusty at 2002/10/01 19:04:00.

I find myself worrying about the "Put Yourself in a Child" slogan on the side of the Legs Akimbo van.

Posted by john at 2002/10/10 13:20:05.

It's the best series they've ever done!

See A Local House For Local People for League chat and general insanity...

Posted by BadKitty at 2002/10/14 17:33:04.

I love every series! This one was not as good as the first two, but it still rocked! I want mroe Denton Twins though!

Posted by Local Radclyffe Denton at 2003/03/30 18:39:21.

I agree TOTALLY and utterly with the previous comment. The league truly is the best thing i've ever watched!! I love it to pieces...if i loved it anymore i think it would be kinda disturbing!! My bedroom wall is covered in League stuff....forget boybands...the league is officially my biggest ever obsession!! I AM A TRUE FANATIC!

Posted by Alyssa at 2003/05/28 19:37:13.

I love The League and have all the dvd's and watched them maybe 3 times :) they are the best :):) Greet to UK x

Posted by Philippe Swinnen BELGIUM :) at 2004/01/20 22:27:12.

The 3rd is the best so far, after the sketch format of the 1st, and the sub-Hammer horror, of the 2nd.
The 3rd took the brave step of single stories, and paid off in dividends.
Beautifully sureal, wonderfully anarchic.
Cant wait for the movie.
Bring back Her Lipp!

Posted by mark gibson at 2004/07/30 11:21:49.

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