The Franchise - Trying to Understand James’s Comedy Compass

For anyone who has listened to the pod for any length of time will know, it is an impossible task trying to predict what James will or won’t find amusing. He is a walking, talking enigma when it comes to the genre. The latest example? The Franchise. Granted, I have only watched the first episode so far and enjoyed it enough, but it is just ‘fine’ isn’t it? It is one of those comedies that you watch with a mild smile on your face, rather than laugh out loud at.

It has an amazing amount of talent involved in it. Maybe that is the reason? It is undoubtedly well made and has a sheen to it (good lighting!) with that opening shot particularly well done, but it is a pretty average show isn’t it, which makes it odd that it is one that James has latched onto? There is cringe in there for sure - historically I love Jessica Hynes but she is beyond cringe as the script supervisor Steph in this and not at all funny. Even the best line in the opening episode delivered by Richard E Grant, is not delivered as amusingly as it should be. The timing is off, which I would argue is true for a lot of this.

As I mentioned, I did enjoy it enough, but then I am a fan of comedy. For someone who should despise an otherwise ok comedy such as this, I can’t see what is hooking James. Is it the setting maybe? Those of us not working in media might not get it I guess. I will carry on watching it, but I’d be interested to hear what you all think of this show, as given the rave review on the pod, I found it distinctly ‘meh’.