Thoughts on the Phoenix Nights comeback
So Phoenix Nights is returning, following in the footsteps of the Still Game lads, Open All Hours, Red Dwarf and those old Oxbridge gimmers this summer.
But how do we all feel about it – happy? Furious? Indifferent? I tell you; there hasn’t been this diverse a response to a comedy announcement since the one that was announced last week.
It’s a hard topic to discuss really, because it’s not a standard comeback. It’s not like the cast members are down on their luck, appearing in a dirty pantomime with Jim Davidson and the Krankies, only popping up occasionally on reality TV to suck the guts out of a bug’s anus. Most of them have gone on to bigger and better things. Who would have guessed that the guy predominantly known as ‘Peter Kay’s real best friend’ would now be hosting prime time television?
Likewise, Mr Kay is hardly struggling for dosh. OK, so maybe the number of cheap-looking, pointless DVD releases for a pretty limited amount of material says differently, but I bet he’s doing alright for himself. It isn’t as if he’s doing it to make a comeback.
READ: Phoenix Nights comeback confirmed
The reality is; it’s for charity. Yes, I know they made that clear by saying it was in aid of Comic Relief – but S Club 7 said the same about Children in Need and they were cashing in their tour cheques before tickets had gone on sale. Their ‘last hurrah’ was never a final bow, more the start of yet another attempt to claw back into the limelight. Although, depending on where you were sitting, it looked equally like a cry for help.
So it seems that Brian Potter, Jerry ‘The Saint’ St Clair and Ray Von will be reuniting out of the goodness of their hearts. That has to be applauded. OK, they might then announce a tour or create a new series but would that be so bad? And besides, they’ll have raised more than enough money before it gets to that. Unlike S Club, who can only really say they’ve donated ‘time’ to charity. Who do they think they are? Bob fucking Geldoff?
I for one welcome the reunion because – and I don’t mind saying this – I bloody love a good sequel. It’s a trendy opinion these days – not really by choice – but back when I was younger, the idea of a sequel to anything was about as welcome as a shit stain in a laundrette.
Not me though, I love a good number 2 (grow up). It was always so exciting seeing much loved characters returning; like firm friends catching up again. That’s not to say that the quality is always the same – quite often when something returns what you’re left with is a pale imitation, like Michael Jackson.
A lot of the joy of watching sequels is nostalgia, or to be specific ‘remembering stuff’ – being reminded of what went before. It’s for that reason that a lot of good will can take you very far. You only have to create something that’s half good and fan excitement should do the rest. It doesn’t make that approach right, though.
WATCH: The 10 best moments from Phoenix Nights
If the Pythons taught us anything this year, it’s that expectation can make or break you. Going into the reunion many fans didn’t have high hopes, so it was a nice surprise to see that not only were they recreating old sketches but doing something new with them as well. There wasn’t a great deal of new material but it was the care and attention that made the comeback worthwhile.
That’s why I’m looking forward to the new Dad’s Army film too. Yes, it’s not the same people behind it, yes it’s part of Hollywood’s regurgitating machine, but they seem to be trying to make something special. The casting alone shows that they’re making an effort, otherwise it would be Johnny Depp in a ginger wig and tache with Pike being a wise-ass sidekick played by Kevin Hart.
I look forward to the Phoenix Nights reunion because no matter what, it will be made with love and affection for what came before. I know that because there was a lot of care put into it in the first place and if there’s one thing that’s easy to recreate; it’s the passion the creators share for that subject.
Besides, who knows what this could lead to – Butterflies Mark II, The Liver Birds: Uncaged, This is What Happened to the Likely Lads, Never Say Hancock Again, 12.5 Children, Father Ted 2: This Time It’s an Ecumenical Matter…
