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Nothing to see here. This is just a random collection of notes for stuff I’m working on. Move along please. |
Rethinking NPP in an attempt to better handle the backlog
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Something like this flowchart?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Database_reports/Potential_U5s/1
Link checker https://link-dispenser.toolforge.org/
Farce relies on improbable situations, mistaken identities, quick pacing, and escalating chaos (think Fawlty Towers, ‘Allo ‘Allo!, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em). It travels well across cultures because much of it is visual, physical, or situational rather than dependent on subtle wordplay or cultural nuance. When executed well, farce often enjoys broad appeal—audiences can enjoy the absurd setups without needing deep familiarity with the characters. Character-driven sitcoms (Butterflies, Ever Decreasing Circles, The Royle Family): These focus more on psychology, relationships, and the humour of ordinary life. They often attract loyal audiences but may not achieve the same “universal laughter” as farce. Satirical sitcoms (Yes Minister, The Thick of It): These resonate most with audiences tuned into politics or bureaucracy, making them somewhat niche despite critical acclaim.Workplace sitcoms (The Office, Dad’s Army): Often hugely popular, as workplaces are common experiences and easy to relate to.Ensemble family sitcoms (Only Fools and Horses, My Family): Often rival farce in popularity because of their relatability and warmth.
Farce-based sitcoms dominated the 1970s–80s, with shows like Fawlty Towers, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, and ‘Allo ‘Allo! pulling in mass audiences. From the 1990s onward, character and relationship sitcoms gained ground (e.g., Men Behaving Badly, The Royle Family). Farce tends to be more popular in short bursts, often producing spectacular hits that enter sitcom “canon.”Character-driven and ensemble comedies, however, generally sustain longer popularity, especially across multiple seasons. When measured, instant, mass laughter, farce often wins. Measured by longevity and global reach, character-driven sitcoms usually outpace farce.
- Sources
- Mills, Brett. (2005) Television Sitcom. p.86 BFI Publishing. p.86 ISBN 1844570878, 9781844570874 categorises different sitcom modes, including farce, and discusses how farce’s reliance on exaggerated situations made it a popular but sometimes critically “looked down on” format compared to subtler, character-driven shows. Shows how farce appeals quickly to broad audiences but rarely sustains the critical longevity of more nuanced sitcoms.
- Medhurst, Andy. “A National Joke: Popular Comedy and English Cultural Identities.” In British Comedy: A Reader, edited by Andy Medhurst and Lucy Tuck, BFI, 2003. situates farce within the broader traditions of British humour and examines why it flourished particularly in the 1970s–80s on TV. Explains that farce thrived because it transcended class boundaries and didn’t require viewers to “get” insider references, giving it wider popularity in mass TV schedules
- Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) – Historical Ratings Data, provides the empirical audience figures for British sitcoms across decades: Ratings for ‘Allo ‘Allo! and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em confirm that farce-based sitcoms attracted some of the largest audiences of their eras. Later BARB data reflect the shift to relationship/character comedy.
- Fiddy, Dick. British Television Comedy Since 1945. BFI Screen Guides, 2001. a chronological overview of British sitcom trends. Identifies the dominance of farce (Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Fawlty Towers, ‘Allo ‘Allo!) in the 70s–80s, contrasting this with later shifts toward realism and character-based comedy (e.g. The Royle Family, The Office). Ratings for ‘Allo ‘Allo! and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em confirm that farce-based sitcoms attracted some of the largest audiences of their eras. Later BARB data reflect the shift to cozy comedy (dysfunction families’ humour, The Good Life, To the Manor, Father dear father, relationship/character comedy.etc – .Perhaps the farce vs relationship/character comedy should be exploited.
- Bergson, Henri. Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic. 1900 this is a classic theoretical work on comedy, and explains why physical comedy and farcical exaggeration have universal, immediate appeal. Why farce initially captures mass audiences more easily than subtler humour.
- Barry Cryer & Bob Cryer, Barry Cryer’s Ultimate Book of Jokes (2021) – While lighthearted, Cryer often comments on the mechanics of sitcom, especially farce.
Medhurst, Fiddy, & the BARB explain why farce-based sitcoms enjoyed some of the highest ratings in the 70s–80s and appealed across social classes.
From the late 1950s from the late nineteen fifties to the late 1980s situation comedy prove to be one of the richest sources of public discourse on class in British life. Page 201.
Social class in sitcom
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During the 30 years from the end of the 1950s to the late 1980s sitcom provided one of the best windows on the British class system.
- Social Class and Television Drama in Contemporary Britain 21st Century British Sitcom and the ‘Hidden Injuries of Class’ – Phil Wikcham. Editors: Beth Johnson, David Forrest (2017), Palgrave Macmillan UK ISBN: 9781137555069, 1137555068 p.201
Many people connected with Malvern have gained recognition in such fields as politics, business, science, broad casting, literature, and the arts. Among the most famous is Sir Edward Elgar, his composition of the “Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1″ to part of which “Land of Hope and Glory” is sung is often used as the patriotic anthem at international sporting events and the finale every year at the Last Night of the Proms. He was appointed Master of the King’s Musick in 1924. Among novelists and poets are C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, William Langland whose allegorical narrative poem Piers Plowman (written c. 1360–1387)begins on the Malvern Hills, and David Mitchell, author whose works include Cloud Atlas (made into a 2012 Hollywood movie), and Black Swan Green, which takes place in Malvern.
In addition to those born in Malvern, many notable people came to the town to provide or partake of its Hydrotherapy, to be educated or to teach at the large number of independent boarding schools such as Malvern College with its long list of notable alumni, and its elementary school, The Downs, and Malvern St James for girls, that still remain active into the 21st century. A significant number of people were scientists at the Telecommunications Research Establishment, and its successor the Royal Radar Establishment, the country’s largest secret defence research facility with around 4,000 civil servants and military personnel, and the quango it became (as of 2011), QinetiQ.
Among novelists and poets are C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, William Langland whose allegorical narrative poem Piers Plowman (written c. 1360–1387) begins on the Malvern Hills. Author David Mitchell, whose works include his multi award-winning 20904 novel Cloud Atlas was made into a 2012 Hollywood movie, and Black Swan Green, which takes place in Malvern. Mitchell was raised in Malvern and like Nigel Coates, was educated at Hanley Castle High School and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
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In addition to those born in Malvern, many notable people came to the town to provide or partake of its Hydrotherapy, to be educated or to teach at independent boarding schools such as Malvern College with its long list of notable alumni, and Malvern St James for girls, that still remain active into the 21st century. A significant number of people were scientists at the Telecommunications Research Establishment, and its successor the Royal Radar Establishment, the country’s largest secret defence research facility with around 4,000 civil servants and military personnel, and the quango it became (as of 2011), QinetiQ.The Malvern Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have also inspired several poets and novelists. Many people connected with Malvern have gained recognition in such fields as politics, business, science, broad casting, literature, and the arts.
Among the most famous is Sir Edward Elgar, his composition of the “Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1″ to part of which “Land of Hope and Glory” is sung is often used as the patriotic anthem at international sporting events and the finale every year at the Last Night of the Proms. He was appointed Master of the King’s Musick in 1924.
Sir Charles Hastings (1794 – 1866) was a medical surgeon and founder of the British Medical Association, spent his final years at Hastings House in the suburb of Barnards Green.
The architect Nigel Coates (b. 1949), was Unit Master at the Architectural Association from 1978 to 1988. From 1995 to 2011 he was Professor and Head of the Department of Architecture at the Royal College of Art and in 2011 was made Emeritus Professor.[1] He is Chair of the Academic Court at the London School of Architecture.[2]
The many sculptures of Rose Garrard in and around the town include the statue group of Sir Edward Elgar and the Enigma Fountain unveiled by Prince Andrew, Duke of York in 2000 on Belle Vue Terrace, the centre point of the town.
The politician Baroness Jacqui Smith, is a former British Home Secretary, one of the Great Offices of State, was born and raised in Malvern and attended attended Dyson Perrins High School which was founded by Charles William Dyson Perrins (1864–1958), an art collector, philanthropist,local government office holder and son of James Dyson Perrins, the owner of the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce factory.
Among novelists and poets who lived in the town or whose works were inspired by it were are C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia who met regularly with his close froend J.R.R. Tolkein and other literary friends in the Unicorn Inn, built around 1650, one of the oldest buildings in the town from where legend has it The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was inspired. William Langland whose allegorical narrative poem Piers Plowman (written c. 1360–1387) begins on the Malvern Hills. Author David Mitchell is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Hisworks include his multi award-winning 20904 novel Cloud Atlas which was made into a 2012 film, and Black Swan Green, which takes place in Malvern. Mitchell was raised in Malvern and like Nigel Coates, was educated at Hanley Castle High School
The classic BBC black comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin stars Leonard Rossiter of Rising Damp fame (1974-1978) supported by a cast comprising Pauline Yates (Keep It in the Family, 1980) (Elizabeth Perrin), John Barron (C.J.), Sue Nicholls (Joan Greengross), John Horsley (Doc Morrissey), Trevor Adams (Tony Webster), Bruce Bould (David Harris-Jones), Geoffrey Palmer (Jimmy).[3] Three series produced 22 episodes from 1976 to 1979, based on novels by David Nobbs who adapted the screenplay for the first series from the first novel. The story concerns a middle-aged middle manager, Reginald “Reggie” Perrin who suffers a midlife crisis, tries to escape the pointlessness of his job and is driven to bizarre behaviour. The sitcom was a departure from the many middle-class suburban family life sitcoms of the era. The music was provided by Ronnie Hazlehurst, prolific composer of sitcom theme tunes.[3] A fourth series also by Nobbs, The Legacy of Reginald Perrin, comprised all the central characters of the earlier series, including Geoffrey Palmer but without Rossiter and Adams. Running for two series through 2009 and 2010, a remake of the series titled simply Reggie Perrin was written by David Nobbs and Simon Nye starring Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) in the BBC revival with Wendy Craig (Butterflies), Fay Ripley, Geoffrey Whitehead, Neil Stuke, and Lucy Liemann in supporting roles.[4]
- gang shows/ensemble cast, farce, class conflict
- Tony Hancock’s legacy has had a lasting effect on British comedy[5]
- allo allo overarching stories[5]
- Ingredients for a good sitcom: an ensemble piece, it has to be set in a workplace, being in a grim situation, cultural differences, the writing, and even the way it’s filmed
Honey Bee (for Chan.5 Honey Bee Media Ltd 2023
<ref name="BWC">{{cite AV media
| people = Bradley Walsh (Presenter)
| title = Bradley Walsh's Comedy Heroes
| medium = Television documentary
| publisher = Honey Bee Media Ltd (for Chan.5)
| location =
| date = 2023}}
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https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/entertainment/popularity/all-time-tv-shows/all 2025 YouGov PLC Retrieved 1 June 2025 The most popular all-time TV shows (Q1 2025) Only Fools and Horses came first. 9 of the first 20 are sitcoms headed by Only Fools and Horses in the first place, with Porridge (6), Blackadder (7), Fawlty Towers (9), The Vicar of Dibley (15), and One Foot in the Grave (19) in the top 20 with a total of 25 sitcoms featuring in the to 100.
https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-british-sitcoms-of-all-time At Ranker’s The Best British Sitcoms of All Time, Ranked 2025 Ranker. Fawlty Towers tops the list with Only Fools and Horse in second place followed by Blackadder (3), Mr Bean (4). Two thirds of the programmes in this ranking premiered in the 20th century.
In a 2016 Radio Times poll from a shortlist of 40 21st century sitcoms https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-37162569 ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys named best British sitcom in audience poll ‘ 2016 BBC News 23 August 2016 best British sitcom of the 21st century
- Mrs Brown’s Boys, BBC One (started 2011)
- The Office, BBC Two (2001)
- Peter Kay’s Car Share, BBC One (2015)
- Count Arthur Strong, BBC Two (2013)
- The IT Crowd, C4 (2006)
- The Thick Of It, BBC Four (2005)
- Gavin & Stacey, BBC Three (2007)
- Miranda, BBC Two (2009)
- Raised By Wolves, C4 (2015)
- Outnumbered, BBC One (2007)
- Peep Show, C4 (2003)
- Black Books, C4 (2000)
- Green Wing, C4 (2003)
- The Inbetweeners, C4 (2008)
- Bad Education, BBC Three (2012)
- Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, C4 (2001)
- Yonderland, Sky1 (2013)
- wenty Twelve/W1A, BBC Two (2011)
- Benidorm, ITV (2007)
- Detectorists, BBC Four (2014)===cite template syntax===
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- registration: a free registration with the provider is required to access the source, even if a limited preview, abstract or review may still be available without registration
- limited: free access is subject to limited trial and a subscription is normally required
- subscription: the source is only accessible via a paid subscription with the provider of the source (“paywall”)
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Notability and sourcing essays in WP space
[edit]
Advanced source searching
All high schools can be notable
Alternative outlets Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions
Articles with a single source
Avoid template creep
Bare notability
Big events make key participants notable
Businesses with a single location
But it’s true!
Clones
Coatrack
Common sourcing mistakes
Discriminate vs indiscriminate information
Don’t cite GNG
Drafts are not checked for notability or sanity
Every snowflake is unique
Existence ≠ Notability
Existence does not prove notability
Extracting the meaning of significant coverage
Google searches and numbers
High Schools
Historical/Policy/Notability/Arguments
How the presumption of notability works
Inclusion is not an indicator of notability
Independent sources
Inherent notability
Insignificant
Make stubs
Masking the lack of notability
Minimum coverage
News coverage does not decrease notability
No amount of editing can overcome a lack of notability
No big loss
No one cares about your garage band
No one really cares
Not every single thing Donald Trump does deserves an article
Notability and tornadoes
Notability cannot be purchased
Notability comparison test
Notability is not a level playing field
Notability is not a matter of opinion
Notability is not relevance or reliability
Notability means impact
Notability points Notability sub-pages
Notabilitymandering
Obscurity ≠ Lack of notability
Offline sources
One hundred words
One sentence does not an article make
Other stuff exists
Overreliance upon Google
Perennial websites
Read the source
Reducing consensus to an algorithm
Run-of-the-mill
Solutions are mixtures and nothing else
Sources must be out-of-universe
Subjective importance
Third-party sources
Trivial mentions
Vanispamcruftisement
Video links
What BLP1E is not
What is and is not routine coverage
What notability is not
What to include
Why is BFDI not on Wikipedia?
Wikipedia article Two prongs of merit
Wikipedia is not Crunchbase
Wikipedia is not here to tell the world about your noble cause
Wikipedia is not the place to post your résumé
Your favourite thing does not need a
