A Channel 4 'comedy' that I thought I'd try out, here's my overall view of it.
Here the title speaks for itself meaning to make hay while the sun shines, or to make the most of a golden opportunity.
This programme was made about the European Union, as for so long that has been slated as the prime example of the term. In Westminster parliamentary politics public pronouncements decry corruption, as a product of 'banana republics'. While many politicians would dearly love to be able to legalise it, which is doubtless why so many wish to be involved in the EU Parliament.
This is really about stereotypes pigeonholing according to perceived notions, the Idealist, the Bureaucrat, the Commissions. The Idealist is of course German, "Better to have a European Union than a European War". Of course the Bureaucrat is English because they are doubtless considered to have invented it.
I know of the actor Christopher Waltz, though not his name nor what I've seen him in, he plays his role to perfection with naive charm. Ian Richardson has come to personify this role as the self serving career politician, so much so that it appears to be in his very DNA.
This programme seems to be inspired by Yes Minister, the show that opened up Westminster politics to public scrutiny, and ridicule. Except that times have certainly changed in the world of comedy, and so many shows nowadays seem to be following the documentary approach. The 'slice of life' approach where humour is incidental, though sadly virtually unnoticable.
The writers of Yes Minister and Yes Minister wanted to prick political pomposity, to enable us to laugh at politicians, but they didn't forget the humour. The writers of the Gravy Train are seemingly so intent of showing up European Bureaucracy, that they have completely lost their funny bone altogether.
Here the title speaks for itself meaning to make hay while the sun shines, or to make the most of a golden opportunity.
This programme was made about the European Union, as for so long that has been slated as the prime example of the term. In Westminster parliamentary politics public pronouncements decry corruption, as a product of 'banana republics'. While many politicians would dearly love to be able to legalise it, which is doubtless why so many wish to be involved in the EU Parliament.
This is really about stereotypes pigeonholing according to perceived notions, the Idealist, the Bureaucrat, the Commissions. The Idealist is of course German, "Better to have a European Union than a European War". Of course the Bureaucrat is English because they are doubtless considered to have invented it.
I know of the actor Christopher Waltz, though not his name nor what I've seen him in, he plays his role to perfection with naive charm. Ian Richardson has come to personify this role as the self serving career politician, so much so that it appears to be in his very DNA.
This programme seems to be inspired by Yes Minister, the show that opened up Westminster politics to public scrutiny, and ridicule. Except that times have certainly changed in the world of comedy, and so many shows nowadays seem to be following the documentary approach. The 'slice of life' approach where humour is incidental, though sadly virtually unnoticable.
The writers of Yes Minister and Yes Minister wanted to prick political pomposity, to enable us to laugh at politicians, but they didn't forget the humour. The writers of the Gravy Train are seemingly so intent of showing up European Bureaucracy, that they have completely lost their funny bone altogether.
