Review of We Know Where You Live: Remix

Introduction

Comedy on television largely falls into two camps: sit-coms and sketch shows. The more successful sketch shows, like `Monty Python`s Flying Circus` and `The Fast Show`, are household names, with characters and punchlines that are well known. Screened late at night on Channel 5 in 1997, `We Know Where You Live` flew far below the radar, escaping most peoples` attention, with a cast of then unknowns. Starring Simon Pegg, Fiona Allen, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jeremy Fowlds, Ella Kenion and Amanda Holden. Among the skits are parodies of the popular culture of 1997, like ER and MTV Europe.

The twelve episodes screened in 1997 were pared down to a seven episode `best of`, which was shown in 2000 under the title `We Know Where You Live - Remix` and these highlights are contained on this DVD.

Video

A decent quality fullscreen transfer.

Audio

A clear DD stereo soundtrack with optional error-free English HoH subtitles.

Conclusion

With the talent that would later go on to appear in `Spaced`, `Shaun of the Dead`, `Hot Fuzz`, `Smack The Pony`, `Goodness Gracious Me` and `The Kumars at No. 42`, you might expect non-stop laughs and a sign of their comedy potential. What you actually get is a bit of both - it`s obvious that most of them are talented comedy performers, but as with all sketch shows, the material is a bit hit and miss, with a lower hit ratio than the more successful shows.

Of the eleven writers, only Gary Howe and Richard Preddy have enjoyed long careers, particularly with their involvement in `Smack the Pony` and `Green Wing` and director Nick Jones has done relatively little since: the sketch show `Bruiser` in 2000. Along with the seemingly low budget, this is perhaps an indication of the show`s shortcomings - there is talent here, although it is spread thinly.

`We Know Where You Live` uses the same characters and setups throughout the series, but none of the sketches have an identifiable or memorable catchphrase - it`s only been a few days since I watched the DVD and I`m struggling to remember the sketches in detail. It`s an enjoyable, though largely unremarkable show that you`ll probably watch only once.