Most fans of Nathan Barley defend the show from its critics on the grounds that its an "oh so brilliant satire". Well, i hate to disappoint you but the satire don't enter into it this time.
Sitcoms aren't really an appropriate area for satire. Satire usually forms in sketch shows or (god forbid) panel shows. You could have moments in sitcoms which are directly satirical but you should en't make it the emphasis of your entire screenplay. Because then you lose the most important part of a sitcom script and thats the characters (Who were about as "realistic" as talking fish).
What amazed me was how much Chris Morris has lost touch with his common satirical roots. This was obviously advertising itself as a satire but was in no way. For a start Barleys form of sub media twunt doesn't exist outside of Hoxton. And even if they did its not as if there are millions of them crawling around the place.
Bottom line: Failed as a satire, failed as a sitcom and failed as a comedy. Draw your own conclusions.
Sitcoms aren't really an appropriate area for satire. Satire usually forms in sketch shows or (god forbid) panel shows. You could have moments in sitcoms which are directly satirical but you should en't make it the emphasis of your entire screenplay. Because then you lose the most important part of a sitcom script and thats the characters (Who were about as "realistic" as talking fish).
What amazed me was how much Chris Morris has lost touch with his common satirical roots. This was obviously advertising itself as a satire but was in no way. For a start Barleys form of sub media twunt doesn't exist outside of Hoxton. And even if they did its not as if there are millions of them crawling around the place.
Bottom line: Failed as a satire, failed as a sitcom and failed as a comedy. Draw your own conclusions.