Introduction
Welcome to web of pub, the unofficial fan website for World Of Pub.
World of Pub is a BBC comedy programme that began life as a series of four 15 minute programmes in 1998 on BBC Radio 4 late at night when not many people were listening. In 1999 there were four further episodes, of 30 minutes this time, but still no-one heard them. The show has now transferred to television, where the first series comprises six episodes of 30 minutes each. These were screened in the middle of January 2000 in the BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London, and the reactions of the comparatively live audience there present were recorded. [The warm up was Jo Corfield, a stand-up from Finchley, and we watched in the presence of Phil Cornwell and the director.]
The radio series was written by Tony Roche from an idea by David Specchio.
The TV series was written solely by Tony Roche. I believe that World of Pub is Tony Roche’s first TV work.
Direction was by Michael Cumming. His previous works have included Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression, The Mark Thomas (Comedy) Product and, most impressively, Brass Eye, Chris Morris’s second great TV work, a feat taking him a phenomenal two years. Incidentally, Brass Eye is to be reshown in its entirety (possibly with the deleted Yorkshire Ripper/Peter Sutcliffe musical sequence reinstated) on E4 some time in June. (I would put a link up to the site, but it doesn’t work on Macs, so bugger that.) For more information on Brass Eye, its repeats, and the genius of Chris Morris, you could do a lot worse than investigate the exemplary Cook’d and Bomb’d website.
Production was by Jane Berthoud (a name familiar to many radio listeners). The production was designed by Dennis De Groot (whose name will be familiar from the credit rolls of many programmes, including Chris Morris’s third meisterwerk, Jam). Fuller details of the crew (but nothing on the cast, yet) are available at the Internet Movie Database. [Did you spot the deliberate mistake? There was no credit roll for Jam; the credits were hosted on a website!]
Back to World of Pub: the shows were excellent, and I think I became its first fan. It makes a very pleasant change to see a comedy programme where real effort has gone in, rather than one such as Two Pints of Lager which is just thrown together and frankly, pisspoor. Ditto that Davina McCall/Ed Byrne sitcom at the mo on ITV. Incidentally, Peter Serafinowicz has also appeared in another great comedy of our age (certainly for my generation): Spaced. While we’re talking about great comedy, one episode of Pub also stars Tamsin Greig from the hideously ignored Black Books (and The Archers, and the Diet Coke ads).
In the versions the preview audience saw, there was no opening credits sequence. This has since been completed into an intricate maze of gags demanding freezeframing for full appreciation. The shows are beautifully photographed in widescreen, with production values to rival (and exceed?) The League of Gentlemen, which did look classy. The Pub and most of the happenings are filmed at Ealing studios. Now read on…
What’s it all about?
In the east end of London (E1: Bethnal Green/Stepney Green ish) Barry and Garry run a pub. Fully exposed to the stresses of competition, they, together with Dodgy Phil, attempt to lure more punters to their lacklustre establishment. Then some things happen.
What’s it like?
Whilst prima facie a sitcom, World of Pub is more akin to The Simpsons in its structure. New characters appear and disappear each week, and the plots are too surreal for a sitcom. Like The Simpsons, there are many cut away gags (even including a reference to The Simpsons itself in Ladies). Nevertheless, there is a basic recurring format (and the three main characters) who keep the show very much on the rails.
Who the hell are you?
Oh, a hard question for once. Shall we say I am a 21 year old law graduate (LLB Hons (Lond.)) from Queen Mary College, University of London, E1, called Steve, who happens to have an unhealthy interest in comedy. I’m sure I can deal with any questions you care to throw at me, on a purely need-to-know basis. This web site, as it says at the door, is unofficial, but I have been fortunate enough to hear from many people involved, so it’s no secret. It, together with the YahooGroup, exists to promote this superb show and provide a forum where you can find out everything about it. Indeed, I’ve been telling everyone about this show since I saw it in January 2001, so I’ve done my bit for it, and will continue to do so.
Web of Pub
A World of Pub page.
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news
» Introduction
» Episode guide
» Cast and characters
» Phil Cornwell
» Michael Cumming
» Martin
Freeman
» Peter Serafinowicz
» FAQ
» Quotes
» Have You Noticed?
» Mailing list
» Links and linking
» Email
the Page
» Stella
Street
» Exit
This site was last tampered with on 2007-04-07 with a little DVD news, although nothing's official yet.
