Look Round You is a British tv comedy sequence devised and written by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz, and narrated within the first sequence by Nigel Lambert. The primary sequence of eight 10-minute shorts was proven in 2002, and the second sequence of six 30-minute episodes in 2005, each on BBC Two. The primary sequence of Look Round You was nominated for a BAFTA award in 2003.
Contents
Collection one[edit]
Within the first sequence, the episodes (“modules”) satirise and pay homage to early Nineteen Eighties academic movies and faculty programmes comparable to ITV’s “Experiment” sequence and BBC’s “For Schools and Colleges”. A unique scientific topic is roofed in every episode.
The modules have been, so as of transmission:
The humour is derived from a mixture of patent nonsense and trustworthy references and homages. As an example, fictional objects which have a passing resemblance to on a regular basis objects are proven and mentioned. Such objects embody the “boîte diabolique”, a field on the high of a piano scale which housed the “forbidden notes”; and “Garry gum”, a performance-enhancing chewing gum which has the unlucky side-effect of inducing diarrhoea, necessitating the consumption of “anti-Garry gum”. Every episode begins with a “countdown clock”, much like the one used on ITV Colleges programmes from 1979 to 1987. The music that accompanies the countdown is in the identical spirit as the unique, however is performed on a solo guitar, and at first of the “Brain” module, the guitarist could be heard tuning.
The module topics are distorted past recognition; for example, germs are described as coming from Germany, and whisky is claimed to be made by combining water with nitrogen. The maths module contains a distorted and inaccurate model of the traditional ‘seven cats’ puzzle by Ahmes. Moreover, topics are combined: for instance, a chemistry experiment about eggs (Within the episode Water) turns right into a French language lesson. Every episode follows a normal format, starting with an introduction to the topic, adopted by a sequence of foolish experiments carried out by the hapless (and usually mute) scientists, performed by Popper, Serafinowicz and Edgar Wright, amongst others.
The color and general look of the movie was purposely altered to copy Nineteen Eighties tv for faculties, and passably genuine incidental music written by Serafinowicz and Popper underneath the pseudonym “Gelg” was overdubbed to finish the parody of the unique programmes.
A working gag all through the sequence is the fastidious labelling of all objects in Dymo tape, comparable to hairdryers, magnets, a bottle of maths, or a jar of nuts (which contained each sorts of nut: the foodstuff and fastener). One other recurring joke is the usage of fictional equipment and supplies used within the experiments—objects such because the “Besselheim plate” poke enjoyable at actual lab gear, typically named after their designers (e.g. Petri dish, Erlenmeyer flask). Pencils are all the time used to level at key parts of the experiments, because the ‘scientists’ don’t converse: that is generally taken to ridiculous ranges—mentioning pencils utilizing a pencil; pointing at candies after which at an individual to point out they’re a present. Additionally, the sequence repeatedly instructs viewers to maintain a pocket book, described as a “copy book,” and to inscribe random and primarily nugatory particulars of the teachings going down with the spoken instruction to “write this down in your copy book.”
The sequence was commissioned based mostly on a 20-minute pilot episode (twice the size of an episode within the first sequence, however in any other case equivalent) wherein Calcium is described as an amorphous gel ready by grinding discarded tooth in large milling machines; that is included on the DVD launch of Collection 1 as an “advanced double-length module”.
The DVD extras additionally embody a music video for the music “Little Mouse” (as featured within the module on music), a choice of mock-Ceefax pages, and a creator’s commentary. The joke is taken even additional by presenting the DVD subtitles in precisely the identical format as these broadcast by way of teletext.
On the finish of every episode, reference is made to the “next module”—though these episodes have been by no means truly made. The episodes which might be promised, however by no means seen are:
On the DVD Ceefax pages there have been additionally two unseen modules:
Collection two[edit]
The second sequence consists of six 30-minute episodes and is offered within the pop-science vein of programmes comparable to Tomorrow’s World. The sequence was directed by Tim Kirkby, and Ash Atalla (producer of The Workplace) labored as government producer. Operating from 31 January to 7 March 2005 on BBC Two at 10 p.m., Collection 2 comprised the next episodes:
The DVD commentary confirms that this was not the meant order, explaining why some working gags seem to construct inconsistently.
In accordance with the audio commentary, the programme is about round 1980-1981. To strengthen the present’s retro look, every episode’s opening continuity announcement (usually narrated by Serafinowicz, who exaggerated the sound of his respiratory and mouth actions to simulate the impact of the microphones used at the moment) performed over the three-dimensional BBC Two ident from 1979–1986. Not like the primary sequence, which is 16:9 widescreen, the second sequence is offered in 4:3 to emulate the tv format used within the early ’80s. Moreover, location footage was shot on 16mm movie, of the sort used for location filming on the time. Episode 1 contains a High of the Pops-style introduction full with the true TOTP theme music from the early Nineteen Eighties, Yellow Pearl by Phil Lynott.
Options such because the music contest within the “Music 2000” episode additionally floor the sequence within the Nineteen Eighties. Contestants showcase the futuristic songs they consider we might anticipate to listen to within the far-off 12 months 2000. Runners-up “Machadaynu”, carried out by Tony Rudd (performed by Kevin Eldon) and Anthony Carmichael’s “The Rapping Song” are overwhelmed within the contest by Toni Baxter’s monitor, “Sexual Interface”.
Not like the primary sequence, Collection 2 comprises dialogue between the 4 presenters and their visitors, forsaking each the narrated model of the primary sequence and the anonymity given to the scientists. Serafinowicz performs Peter Packard, while Popper performs Jack Morgan, a personality initially seen in sequence one as a musician performing the music “Little Mouse”. There are additionally two further presenters, Pam Bachelor and Pealy Maghti, performed by Olivia Colman and Josie D’Arby respectively.
A number of working gags from the primary sequence are reprised in Collection 2, comparable to references to Imhotep (pictured, as within the 1st sequence, as a moai), bassoons, and the usage of portmanteaux, in phrases comparable to “Thanks, ants. Thants,” or as within the Music episode, “Thanks Tchaikovsky. Thankovsky.” Within the remaining episode, this word-play culminates with Packard addressing two safety guards, each named Hank, with the phrase “Thanks, Hanks. Thanks.” One other working joke centres on characters comparable to Synthesizer Patel within the “Music” episode and Pc Jones within the “Computers” episode, who like an merchandise to such a level that they’ve modified their names.
Whereas the modules in Collection 1 have been distinct, there’s a measure of continuity all through the episodes of Collection 2. Every week, inventors (performed by quite a lot of British comedian actors) showcase their new merchandise, culminating within the reside remaining programme the place a successful invention is chosen, supposedly by “HRH, Sir Prince Charles”. To realize this pretend presentation, archive footage of Prince Charles was blended with Look Round You footage, while Serafinowicz dubs the Prince’s actual voice along with his personal lip-synced impression of it.
DVD extras[edit]
DVD extras embody a quiz, mock pages from Ceefax, another “Birds of Britain” function, the Scary Image, which contains a comically giant succession of warning screens ensuring the viewer truly desires to view it, earlier than immediately exhibiting it similtaneously listening to a male scream, being proven with out the scream in 2 episodes of Collection 2,[1] and the Take a look at Card (a music video). Watching this to the top, together with the credit, triggers an Easter egg that includes Jack Morgan’s extra practical response to his cosmetic surgery, wherein the Look Round You workforce are shocked on the modifications to Jack’s face when Dr. Fu reveals him to them. When handed a mirror, Jack turns to Dr. Fu and begins shouting expletives at him (the only cause for 15 ranking on the DVD), however then calms down after stating that it was the preliminary response to the surgical procedure.
Particular visitors[edit]
Every episode featured a number of further characters, a lot of whom have been performed by well-known British comedians.
Episode 1[edit]
Episode 2[edit]
Episode 3[edit]
Episode 4[edit]
Episode 5[edit]
Episode 6[edit]
As this episode revolves across the Invention of the Yr award, the inventors from earlier episodes return—Leonard Hatred, Dr Phillip Lavender, Teddy Clarke, Paul Alan with Championess and Pc Jones. The episode additionally sees the return of Synthesizer Patel and Eddie Yorque and consists of a number of additional characters:
Manufacturing[edit]
Broadcast[edit] – “calcium look around you”
When aired on BBC America in 2006, episodes have been edited to suit inside a 30-minute time slot with adverts. This triggered a continuity error with the sequence: Leonard Hatred’s preliminary section was lower from the primary episode, inflicting him to seem with out clarification within the sequence finale.[citation needed]
The sequence started working on Grownup Swim on 18 January 2009.[4]
Robert Popper reprised the function of his Look Round You character, Jack Morgan, for an look within the music video of the Frankie & The Heartstrings music “Hunger” (2011). Jack is seen internet hosting a Blue Peter-type programme, and introduces the music.
Reception[edit]
The sequence was praised for its consideration to element.
The Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening referred to as it “one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen”.[5]
On 13 January 2012 Look Round You had its tenth anniversary celebrated by a exhibiting of all episodes of the primary sequence on the BFI Southbank in London. Peter Serafinowicz additionally launched a brand new quick clip entitled “Intermission”.[6]
References[edit]