You Have Been Watching

As a massive fan of Charlie's Screenwipe & Newswipe, at first I wasn't too keen and was fearing the worst for this, but it has grown on me. Immediately hearing jokes just to make the studio audience laugh had me shaking my head and feared a very poor attempt at a mainstream Screenwipe, but by episode 3 or 4 I was warming to it and mainly became interested and was enjoying it for much of what I like about Screenwipe, which is the fact that I don't watch television in the traditional sense. I generally find out about & watch TV shows online, as the way TV has gone there is very little for me nowadays and the set is only switched on for football and specific shows airing new episodes. So this serves a similar purpose to Screenwipe for me in that I get to see what I'm missing, but with Charlie's distinct take on things. This alone makes it an enjoyable watch for someone like me. In addition, I was pleased to see certain guests such as Frankie Boyle & Frank Skinner (and the always delightful Victoria Coren) and whilst it may not be the best thing ever or even on a par with Screenwipe, I still found it worthy of watching every episode. Any complaints I may have are minor and borne out of the fact that it's just Screenwipe for the masses, but that doesn't instantly make it awful. I've judged this on it's own merit and 6* may not be a great rating (it's just my crazy scale) but I did like the show and hope for more.

How has Brooker sunk so low? In the back of his mind he must know that if he reviewed it on Screenwipe he'd say it was utter dross. The vts are screenwipey but some of the weak jokes that feel like he's been told to say and the audience 'reactions' ruin it. Seems like channel 4 knows well that the retarded audiences of such quizcoms have to be told when to laugh- the idiots feel more comfortable finding something humorous if a collection of their peers are heard to be laughing too- 'so it OK'. Don't get me started on the comedyless 'panelists', their sometimes clearly (badly) scripted scripted rants or 'hilarious outbursts' and the preening reaction shots which always follow.

apparently the 1st episode may have been OK but clearly that was the powerful entry episode with the biggest stars they could muster and the most amusing TV shows but it seems the rest are pitiful and the panel is perpetually made up of only the dull Frankie Boyle and some gruff voiced, dull woman alongside an obscure z-lister.

Also they seem to have tried to give Charlie a 'catchphrase' of 'go away' to ed each episode. He may have said it once or twice in his bbc4 shows but certainly not every show and certainly not to be echoed by canned/studio laughter.

I'd just like to throw in a few thoughts, going very much against the grain, and general "consensus" here on IMDb: You Have Been Watching is excellent. Yes, it is a panel show, and it's a FUN one.

It is different to Screenwipe and Newswipe. There is quite enough space in the world for all of these shows, and they provide various alternative, and equally fascinating / hilarious / enjoyable takes on Charlie's view on the world, and his criticisms.

Most of the guests have been very entertaining, the 90s special was fun. Starting the show with some jokes might seem cliché but if one actually listens to those jokes, often they are appropriately "Brooker - cynic" and totally fit the show.

Every episode contains fascinatingly twisted questions, criticisms of various ridiculous TV shows (Who Is Deadliest!), and witty, appropriate observations and mickey-taking from everyone involved. I was particularly pleased to see Martin Freeman, the absolutely gorgeous and fun Liza Tarbuck, and the appropriately divisive Frankie Boyle.

If anything, I'm pleased to see Charlie take on a panel-show format because it proves he can effectively host more than one type of show. His comedy and observations are never really "argued" in Screenwipe and Newswipe, and it makes a refreshing change to have "contestants" to bounce off his views.

Here's hoping for many more seasons. Top marks.