The Culture Cup round 4.

So now we arrive at round 4 for the 606v2 Culture Cup and the poll for Who is the greatest comedy character on TV since the turn of the century?.

Round 3 was hotly contested with compelling & rich and Hero battling it out for top spot.  In the end, they couldn't be separated and even though I considered splitting them myself by having the casting vote, the fact that I have seen neither film made that impossible.  As a result, both posters claim maximum points and consolidate their excellent starts.  For the third round in a row, I believe the poster in second place had the best offering, which was superfly with City of God.  Anyone who didn’t vote for City of God should be struck down by lightning.  Union managed to claim 8 whole points which is more than he has claimed in all the other cups put together.  Adam's offering of Moulin Rouge finished joint second last, which proves there is some justice in the world.

Updated league table is here:

compelling & rich (The Dark Knight) : (12) 28
Hero (Inception): (12) 26
Adam (Moulin Rouge): (3) 19
seanmichaels (Argo): (6) 18
Azzy (Anchorman): (7) 18
The Womble (Memento): (5) 18
superflyweight (City of God): (10) 16
onlytreblewinners (Inglorious Basterds): (7) 14
Galted (Oldboy): (4) 14
Union (In Bruges): (8) 13
Jeff (Gladiator): (8) 12
Dolphin Ziggler (The Return of the King): (5) 12
jbeadlesbigrighthand (The Lives of Others): (3) 11
The Boss (Walk the Line): (5) 10
TopHat (Warrior): (3) 10
bhb001 (American Psycho): (5) 9
ChequeredJersey (Pan’s Labyrinth): (6) 7
JuliusHMarx (Match Point): (2) 6

The next round moves back to Books and Literature and there will be no restriction on what era you pick from which should appease Jeff and Julius, our resident Statler and Waldorf impersonators.  What I am looking for is the best piece of literature with a name in the title.  It can be a book, a play, a poem, a short story, whatever you want so long as it has a name in the title.  I will be the sole judge of what constitutes a name, and I am only allowing 1 book from a series.  

Please PM me a couple of choices in case your first effort is taken.  This will be the last round until around the 25th/26th September as I have to go away, but please can you PM me by the end of this week so I can get back to you if I need another choice.

Here is the poll for round 4 and remember, IT IS OPEN FOR THE WHOLE FORUM TO VOTE!

Thanks.

Another good round this one, but I have eventually gone for Larry David and Brian Potter.

All the talk and quotes on here from The Office recently have inspired me to re-watch it over the last few nights and amongst all the Poopie that Gervais has done subsequently, it is easy to forget just how brilliant that show was. But, having said that, Larry David was doing this kind of thing before and in my opinion, as well as Gervais. Ricky himself has admitted how much he admired Larry David and ‘borrowed’ many of his ideas from him. With that in-mind, I am going for the original and best, Larry David.

Brian Potter gets my second vote as I love the show, love the character and as a good North-West boy, I can’t leave it out. Brilliantly observed comedy and reminds me of being a kid and going to these god awful working mens clubs with me Ma and Pa.

Gone for Larry David, he was my own pick but as Tina has said was doing this stuff way before Gervais and as a committed misery myself find myself agreeing with him far more than is healthy.

My other pick was Malcolm Tucker, in comedy is easy to just swear for cheap laughs but Tucker takes swearing to an art form, some of his insults are beyond brilliant. Also think The Thick of it is a brilliant show

Niall Quinn's autobiography might make a second appearance in the next round.

I voted for Malcolm Tucker (although I am now starting to wish I had voted for his sidekick, Jamie "Motherwell Rules" McDonald) and Mark Corrigan from Peep Show. It was tough to not pick Brent, Potter and Papa Lazarou - "be quiet or he'll stick pipes in you".

David Brent and Mark Corrigan. How did Jay make it ahead of Phil Dunphy???????

P.S. have you met my friend , Jimmy Mockingbird?

David Brent and Malcolm Tucker. Tyrion Lannister was clever thinking though, not sure how tactical that was.

Went for Ron Swanson as he is one of the most subtle creations on tV yet suitably hilarious - great choice whoever picked him!

Also chose Barney Stinson as he is the funniest character in one of the best long running sitcoms still going. He is the Joey of this generations Friends.

I love Curb your Enthusiasm but couldnt go for LD as he has stated so many times that the character is just him. Its not a character!

It is an exaggerated version of himself Adam, Tina has accepted him, therefore he is valid.

Brent.

Don't know or don't find any of the others funny.

Rowley wrote:It is an exaggerated version of himself Adam, Tina has accepted him, therefore he is valid.

Damn right.

Galted: I debated whether to allow Tyrion, but he is such a funny character and makes a brilliant show even better so I let him in. I also know the person who picked him is a big fan of the show so I am happy it is not tactical.

I am not arguing for his inclusion (LD that is) - I was justifying why I wasnt picking him as the best character.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

Rowley wrote:It is an exaggerated version of himself Adam, Tina has accepted him, therefore he is valid.

Damn right.  

Galted: I debated whether to allow Tyrion, but he is such a funny character and makes a brilliant show even better so I let him in.  I also know the person who picked him is a big fan of the show so I am happy it is not tactical.

Guess it's Azzy then.  Would have voted for Tyrian if I thought that it was tactical as it did border on evil genius.  Was considering Sarah Lund from Forbrydelsen along the same lines, she cracked me up every time she said "Nanna Birk Larsen".

Lemon and Potter out of the one's I could choose.

Surprised Fat Keith is in instead of Gareth Keenan.

seanmichaels wrote:Lemon and Potter out of the one's I could choose.

Surprised Fat Keith is in instead of Gareth Keenan.

I am surprised no-one went for Gareth as well. So funny.

"Who's used all the penicillin?"

"Oh, Mark Patterson, Sir, he's got knobrot off some tart".

Surprised Fat Keith is in instead of Gareth Keenan

It's "Big" Keith, not "Fat" and he's comedy gold. The appraisal scene with Big Keith in the second series is genius. Also love the bit where he's DJ'ing at the party and leads off with the line "It's the end of the financial year and spirits are in the sky" before playing "Spirit in the Sky".

Saying that Gareth is brilliant as well.

"Ok, Gareth. Who would you want to be stuck on a desert island with?"

"Daley Thompson".

"Gareth, we're just talking about our dreams, you know ultimate fantasies".

"Two sisters. Lesbians. Me, just watching."

Will a boy ever be born who can swim faster than a shark?

Safe, or dangerous.

Bend your knees, nice straight back.

Mine's massive and it ain't made of plastic.

Condoms come in all different flavours now. Like strawberry and curry.

Do you like curry?

One more moment. If you do go all the way with Tim, and you expect me to go in there afterwards, make sure he wears a condom. Alright? Sort of a rule.

Went for Sheldon Cooper and Keith Lemon. Looking at the other nominee's I know my nomination is not going to get many (if any) votes, and deservedly so.

Couldn't brng myself to vote for Brent as too obvious and trying not to vote for myself (the character I picked, not my non-existant TV persona) so went for Sheldon and Brian Potter. Some good names though.

Tucker and Cooper, easy. Tyrion isn't even the funniest Lannister

ChequeredJersey wrote:Tucker and Cooper, easy. Tyrion isn't even the funniest Lannister

Which Lannister is funnier? They're generally not the most light-hearted. That said, Tyrion Lannister is not a comedy character anyway, so it's rather a moot point.

I went for Gob Bluth and David Brent. I suspect this round will be the easiest for people to choose from, because people's sense of humour tends to be more definite than say taste in music.

Jamie is funnier than Tyrion both in the books and the show IMHO

Cant say I found jamie that funny, takes a few books in until you even start liking him, a guy who loves himself and bangs his sister isnt particular hilarious. Has his dry moments later on with breanne normally involved calling her a wench but thats about it.

I got my 7th choice in this round so im not expecting too many points this round

Would also argue that any character that's funny can be classed as a comedy character, even if he's set in a serious series and not a sitcom

a guy who loves himself and bangs his sister isnt particular hilarious.

The reason why Wales tends not to produce many decent comedians.

superflyweight wrote:

a guy who loves himself and bangs his sister isnt particular hilarious.

The reason why Wales tends not to produce many decent comedians.  

   

Mssrs Brent and Tucker, for me.

i forgot all about this cup , voted for Papa Lazarou and Tyrion Lannister

I have no idea which one I was given, as 4 of my nominations are on there

Wow Azzy, there are a whole four characters or shows you don't think are rubbish? This is indeed progress.

I voted for Potter and Big Keith despite the fact I think there are funnier characters in Phoenix nights ("Spencer for hire - and may I suggest you remove the "situation vacant" sign in the window and replace it with one that reads "situation full" I'm your man.") and also prefer Gareth in The Office. Likewise I'd have voted for Harold over Sheldon in BBT.

although I am doing poorly, I reckon my second choice of Dwight Schrudt from the US Office would have fared worse!

Adam D wrote:although I am doing poorly, I reckon my second choice of Dwight Schrudt from the US Office would have fared worse!

You may well have got one vote Adam. You would have definitely got one for Kevin.

Can I also suggest that the next round takes into account books already suggested.

Otherwise I want to choose Charlie and the Chocolate factory again!!

As a matter of principle, I will not be voting for any book/ TV or film already nominated in a previous round!

Some seriously ropey suggestions on there. Shows how weak the era has been since 2000.

And, of all the characters on Modern Family, who the hell could only come up with Jay????!!

kingjohn7 wrote:David Brent and Mark Corrigan. How did Jay make it ahead of Phil Dunphy???????

Exactly!!!

superflyweight wrote:

Surprised Fat Keith is in instead of Gareth Keenan

It's "Big" Keith, not "Fat" and he's comedy gold.  The appraisal scene with Big Keith in the second series is genius.  Also love the bit where he's DJ'ing at the party and leads off with the line "It's the end of the financial year and spirits are in the sky" before playing "Spirit in the Sky".  

Saying that Gareth is brilliant as well.  

"Ok, Gareth.  Who would you want to be stuck on a desert island with?"

"Daley Thompson".  

"Gareth, we're just talking about our dreams, you know ultimate fantasies".  

"Two sisters.  Lesbians.  Me, just watching."

Actually cracked up reading that, hilarious.

Rowley wrote:Wow Azzy, there are a whole four characters or shows you don't think are rubbish? This is indeed progress.

wait i never said that. I just went populist with my noms

WHERE THE Frak IS JOEY?

Bull wrote:WHERE THE Frak IS JOEY?

You're here!!

Not Deacon.

TopHat24/7 wrote:Some seriously ropey suggestions on there.  Shows how weak the era has been since 2000.

And, of all the characters on Modern Family, who the hell could only come up with Jay????!!

Jay is incredibly funny. His put downs are hilarious. The actor (Ed O'Neil) makes him what he is, a brilliantly funny character.

Adam D wrote:although I am doing poorly, I reckon my second choice of Dwight Schrudt from the US Office would have fared worse!

You'd have got a vote off me anyway Adam. Was just thinking I should have picked Kevin!

Rowley wrote:

Adam D wrote:although I am doing poorly, I reckon my second choice of Dwight Schrudt from the US Office would have fared worse!

You may well have got one vote Adam. You would have definitely got one for Kevin.

And now I see Rowley beat me to it! Love the US version.

I still need your nomination for rd 4, Boss.

And you can't have Niall Quinn's autobiography again.

The Womble wrote:

TopHat24/7 wrote:Some seriously ropey suggestions on there.  Shows how weak the era has been since 2000.

And, of all the characters on Modern Family, who the hell could only come up with Jay????!!

Jay is incredibly funny. His put downs are hilarious. The actor (Ed O'Neil) makes him what he is, a brilliantly funny character.

'tis my favourite light-entertainment show on tv but, as much as I like Jay, Phil and Cam still make it for me. Genius stuff.

Still need yours as well, TopHat.