I've said it before and I'll say it again, Fox doesn't know what they are doing. A good sketch show, canceled so they can load their station in with more stupid reality shows. Anyway, I liked this show because it had nice, short, punchy sketches that lasted no more then ten seconds. It was good for a laugh or a chuckle, not laugh on the floor funny, but still it was okay. It was a good way for Kelsey Grammar to go in entertainment after Frasier. I think somebody who would have been great for this show but wasn't on it is Jerry Minor. He was great on Trigger Happy TV and Mr. Show with Bob and David. To bad for this sketch good show.
12 Reviews
And I thought MAD TV was bad!
diggemthefrog17 April 2007
I must admit I don't laugh easily. I never laughed once at MAD TV; I was tight-lipped almost every minute I watched it. But while watching Kelsey's show, my jaw often dropped -- in disbelief that any network would have ever aired one minute of it. It makes even MAD TV look like Saturday Night Live.
The fact that Kelsey Grammar's little project was canceled after six episodes, and has apparently been completely forgotten by the masses, goes to show that we the audience are not completely powerless to decide which shows go and which ones stay. The system has a way of cleaning its own laundry, even if it does throw out a lot of babies with the bathwater.
The fact that Kelsey Grammar's little project was canceled after six episodes, and has apparently been completely forgotten by the masses, goes to show that we the audience are not completely powerless to decide which shows go and which ones stay. The system has a way of cleaning its own laundry, even if it does throw out a lot of babies with the bathwater.
You could tell from a distance...
ditnis13 March 2005
Alright, so I really wanted to enjoy this show. Veterans of Mr. Show With Bob And David will always have a soft spot in my heart (yes, even Paul F. Tompkins), and Kelsey Grammar is a good guy as well. But the show has to meet me half-way at the very least. The writing just isn't all that clever, and this is made excruciatingly clear in the longer routines. Were there some laughs? Yes. Some of the visual gags were decent, and a couple the fifteen-second / one-liner skits worked fairly well, but a four-minute skit about moronic group of backup vocalists really just makes the half-hour drag. The show is entirely hit-or-miss, and the hit ratio is going to need a whole lot of improvement if this program is going to outlive The Downer Channel's six-or-so-episode run. Mad TV at least makes me expect less, but with this show's cast, I'm going to have to be a bit more demanding.
good clean funny stuff
forsyth27 March 2005
This show is a hark back to the halcyon days of sketch-variety-show TV--all the way from Laugh-In and The Smothers Brothers to the early Saturday Night Live. There's nothing like it on TV today. No, they don't hit one out of the park with every sketch, but neither did SNL every time, did they now? And no, maybe it's not cutting-edge or avant-garde or whatever y'all seem to be looking for who don't like it, but you know what? It's darn funny. It's simple humor, and if there's not an audience out there these days for simple humor, well, that's just their loss. I for one thank Kelsey Grammar for taking a chance. And Lee What's-His-Name, the British guy, is the next big thing or I'll eat my hat. (And when was the last time you heard somebody say THAT?) Just sign me...Somebody Who Still Reads Robert Benchley For Laughs
The execution is refreshing, but the material is lame.
liquidcelluloid-130 May 2005
Network: Fox; Genre: Sketch; Content Rating: TV-PG (for adult content and dark comedy); Classification: Contemporary (star range: 1 - 4);
Season Reviewed: Complete Series (6 episodes)
It may have been slight, shallow, short-lived and a overseas concept anyway, but "Kelsey Grammar Presents The Sketch Show" solves one of the biggest problems that come with the sketch comedy series. Many sketch shows present us with a funny idea and then stretch the life out of it trying to get it to full sketch length. "Sketch Show" keeps things alive with a unique format that packs several unrelated sketches into 22 minutes - with a different sketch every few seconds, some of which connect.
"Sketch" was the 2005 British remake that wasn't "The Office". Produced and lending his credible appearance to some of the skits is sitcom legend Kelsey Grammar himself. The show is fast enough to keep up with the attention of the MTV generation but the jokes feel at least 30 years behind the times. The sketches are made of quick one-liners, puns or a stupidly funny piece of slapstick. Two knights show up at a hotel asking for a room for two nights, an astronaut locks himself out of the lunar rover, two cops give news that a man's wife has died through song. A low point comes in a psychiatrist (hot Kaitlin Olson) who whines back at her patients. It is all intensely lame stuff, but done as such a fast pace it becomes watchable, even addictive. If only to see what will come next. Proving the shorter-the-better theory with sketch comedy, it is usually the longer sketches that become the most tiresome.
The biggest attraction is the inclusion of Mary Lynn Rajskub. Fans will be interested to see Rajskub outside of her role as socially dysfunctional Chloe O'Brien on a hiatus during "24's" 4th season and in her comic element. A bit in which Rajskub plays a wedding photographer is a series high. Which also says a lot about the show's limits.
There is no satire, no parody here, no desire to appeal to the kids and nothing that can be identifiable as coming from this decade. I'm sure Grammar was going for a timeless quality, which is rather refreshing on an American network. Grammar has succeeding in bringing something that is distinctly British to American shores once again. It's almost karma that "The Sketch Show" lasted about as long as the average British TV season.
* * / 4
Season Reviewed: Complete Series (6 episodes)
It may have been slight, shallow, short-lived and a overseas concept anyway, but "Kelsey Grammar Presents The Sketch Show" solves one of the biggest problems that come with the sketch comedy series. Many sketch shows present us with a funny idea and then stretch the life out of it trying to get it to full sketch length. "Sketch Show" keeps things alive with a unique format that packs several unrelated sketches into 22 minutes - with a different sketch every few seconds, some of which connect.
"Sketch" was the 2005 British remake that wasn't "The Office". Produced and lending his credible appearance to some of the skits is sitcom legend Kelsey Grammar himself. The show is fast enough to keep up with the attention of the MTV generation but the jokes feel at least 30 years behind the times. The sketches are made of quick one-liners, puns or a stupidly funny piece of slapstick. Two knights show up at a hotel asking for a room for two nights, an astronaut locks himself out of the lunar rover, two cops give news that a man's wife has died through song. A low point comes in a psychiatrist (hot Kaitlin Olson) who whines back at her patients. It is all intensely lame stuff, but done as such a fast pace it becomes watchable, even addictive. If only to see what will come next. Proving the shorter-the-better theory with sketch comedy, it is usually the longer sketches that become the most tiresome.
The biggest attraction is the inclusion of Mary Lynn Rajskub. Fans will be interested to see Rajskub outside of her role as socially dysfunctional Chloe O'Brien on a hiatus during "24's" 4th season and in her comic element. A bit in which Rajskub plays a wedding photographer is a series high. Which also says a lot about the show's limits.
There is no satire, no parody here, no desire to appeal to the kids and nothing that can be identifiable as coming from this decade. I'm sure Grammar was going for a timeless quality, which is rather refreshing on an American network. Grammar has succeeding in bringing something that is distinctly British to American shores once again. It's almost karma that "The Sketch Show" lasted about as long as the average British TV season.
* * / 4
Nice, but nowhere near the original
Ivop14 March 2005
Just saw the first episode. The best sketches were a downright copy of the original UK series. They still got me laughing, because the original was so good, it could never become bad. But the phobia sketch was horribly mutilated and wasn't funny at all. The bad sketches were those where Kelsey came in, except for the psychiatrist sketch maybe. They just weren't up to par with the others.
If you can watch the original UK series, don't bother with this. If you can't, this is not really a bad replacement. I have seen worse remakes. For example, the US version of Red Dwarf comes to mind, amongst a lot of others :)
If you can watch the original UK series, don't bother with this. If you can't, this is not really a bad replacement. I have seen worse remakes. For example, the US version of Red Dwarf comes to mind, amongst a lot of others :)
sorry... but can't compare to the original
skip_76425 April 2006
I was flicking through the channels a few days ago and happened to stumble across this. When I saw it was titled 'Kelsey Grammers Sketch Show' I was interested, mainly because I loved the 'Sketch Show'.
sorry, but the only people that I found funny in this pile of wreck was Lee Mack and Kelsey Grammar. Sticking a bunch of American actors in was a really bad idea, they just can't compare to the original cast in this sad attempt of a remake. Lee Mack was funny as always, but his talent is sadly wasted in this. Kelsey Grammar is good and I found him funny, but I guess I like him better in sitcom roles such as 'Frasier'. The rest of the cast in my opinion are not all that good, but did occasionally make me giggle.
If you liked the original than by all means watch this, it isn't a complete and utter waste of time, though it comes pretty close. Still, be prepared to be disappointed, it just does not compare.
sorry, but the only people that I found funny in this pile of wreck was Lee Mack and Kelsey Grammar. Sticking a bunch of American actors in was a really bad idea, they just can't compare to the original cast in this sad attempt of a remake. Lee Mack was funny as always, but his talent is sadly wasted in this. Kelsey Grammar is good and I found him funny, but I guess I like him better in sitcom roles such as 'Frasier'. The rest of the cast in my opinion are not all that good, but did occasionally make me giggle.
If you liked the original than by all means watch this, it isn't a complete and utter waste of time, though it comes pretty close. Still, be prepared to be disappointed, it just does not compare.
terrible
culo20026 April 2006
this show was awful, it was
a complete copy of the
British sketch show which aired in 2000 which actually had lee mack in it. they completely copy all of the sketches which were used in the British version, and is a lot less funny. The acting is poor and the dialog is cheap. i expected a lot more from Kelsey grammar who really isn't that bad at acting. the actors are not natural enough, and it is evident through their body language and the way they deliver their lines that it has been over rehearshed, it basicaly lacks the spontinaety that the original British version had. lee mack was also a lot funnier in the British version, i feel that his American co stars are bringing him down to a certain degree. i know that this may sound harsh but i see no need for this show to be remade as it was
a complete copy of the
British sketch show which aired in 2000 which actually had lee mack in it. they completely copy all of the sketches which were used in the British version, and is a lot less funny. The acting is poor and the dialog is cheap. i expected a lot more from Kelsey grammar who really isn't that bad at acting. the actors are not natural enough, and it is evident through their body language and the way they deliver their lines that it has been over rehearshed, it basicaly lacks the spontinaety that the original British version had. lee mack was also a lot funnier in the British version, i feel that his American co stars are bringing him down to a certain degree. i know that this may sound harsh but i see no need for this show to be remade as it was
The Sketch Show
slider36313 March 2005
First of all, I would like to congratulate Kelsey Grammar and the cast of "The Sketch Show." The premiere episode was tonight, and it was fantastic. I am very excited to have such original, smart humor and I look forward to many more episodes to come. I was introduced to some new talents, all of whom were fantastic. It was nice to witness Kelsey in these light humored scenarios. Although "Fraiser," which was fantastic, was filled with laughs, there is something new and refreshing about this program. I am very much a fan of the way the situational skits flow into each other, some, connecting back to previous skits, with renewed laughter, and the way the even express about the occasional one liners. It was also a pleasure to see the uniquely beautiful Mary Lynn Rajskub, of "24," and "Punch Drunk Love," fame playing something so openly funny and true to herself. I can't wait to see more. Everyone must check out this show!
Better than SNL, but why can't us Americans come up with our own shows?
scarletminded23 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I actually think this show is better than SNL, which probably isn't saying much. It makes me laugh a lot more. My boyfriend pointed out that the show seemed like a Brit comedy show, which indeed it was ripped off from. Much like what we are doing to the Office a few days from now.
If it wasn't for a glimmer of hope in MadTV here and there, I would think America didn't have a sense of humor at all unless it was stolen from somewhere else.
That being said, I hope this show continues. It is funnier than most and I am a hard sell.
If it wasn't for a glimmer of hope in MadTV here and there, I would think America didn't have a sense of humor at all unless it was stolen from somewhere else.
That being said, I hope this show continues. It is funnier than most and I am a hard sell.
good but re-used humour.....(The Aussie spelling maintained!!!)
maoribro30 April 2006
This show has just been airing in Australia in the afternoons, and i was a little confused at first when i switched channels and saw it. I've seen that several sketches here are reused from the UK show THE SKETCH SHOW.... check that out and compare... i think i prefer the sketches originally performed on the UK show to this re-enactment although i don't have a problem with any of the performers here ... the humour just seems to be more like British writing than U.S.... Wouldn't u think that if Kelsey Grammar's name is featured in it, he would have written or presented new sketches...i guess they are NEW for an unknowing U.S audience.... It still is entertaining though, and beats watching lame cooking shows.
Not bad, but Certainly not good
joshwinkler8728 March 2005
This show has it's moments, but in general the show is kind of corny and unfunny. The quick puns and one-liners are occasionally predictable as well. I really don't see this show lasting over 6 episodes, and I'm quite surprised that FOX even gave a show like this a chance. I have recorded every episode that has aired so far just so I can say that I have them, but this show really only appeals to a certain type of person I guess. Either you will love it or you will hate it. My guess is that the show will go down the same route as many other FOX shows such as Oliver Beene and The Pitts, which really weren't bad shows, they just umm...
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