Rev
When I was 22 and just starting out in comedy, I wrote a sitcom script for Hat Trick (the production company who make things like Outnumbered) about a vicar and some other Christians. It was sort of slightly edgier than The Vicar of Dibley (which wasn’t really about religion at all) and slightly less surreal than Father Ted. I’d long been interested in the way people manage to be religious in a world which makes less and less concession to religion. I was brought up in a sort-of-church-going family and was in a church choir for many years, and a couple of good friends of mine/Emily’s are Christians even now, so although I don’t have any faith these days, I’m less hostile to the whole idea of it than many of my comedian colleagues.
The script was bought by Hat Trick and they tried to get the BBC to make it; it was my first ‘break’ in writing. For two years we had meetings with the BBC about it. I did many rewrites and edits. I was very naive and idealistic and genuinely thought it might get on the TV. After numerous dead ends, one of the BBC’s commissioners – who has, mercifully, now left the channel – announced that she had ‘got to the bottom’ of why it wasn’t quite working. She sent an email explaining that ‘Christianity is a pretty dull subject for a lot of people’. The trouble was that by now I’d spent two years working on a project, for the BBC, about that very thing, and no-one had mentioned this. It was if your best friend asked for a carrot cake for her birthday, you spent a whole weekend making the biggest carrot cake of all time, and then she turned up at yours, looked a bit sheepish, and eventually said ‘yeah, I just don’t like carrot cake that much.’
Anyway, this was all years ago and I’ve moved on and done many things since and I can barely remember my original script – I’m sure if I saw it now I’d think it was pretty lame. But I DO remember that lady’s prediction that another sitcom about religion would never be made on the BBC.
As I write this, a show called ‘Rev’, about a vicar, is just beginning on BBC2. From what I’ve read, the set-up looks startlingly similar to my idea from 2002. I imagine it’ll be pretty good – it stars Tom Hollander, who is that little chap from things like The Thick Of It, and is really funny – and I’m not suggesting for a moment that anyone nicked any of my work. It’s the sort of premise which would occur to lots of people. Even so, you can imagine, it makes me kind of nostalgic for my once-beloved-and-scrapped project.
I’m not watching it, not because of any grudge, but simply because I’m on my way to (of all places) the BBC, to go on Newsnight (again!) where I will very briefly join in a debate about why England are rubbish; unless you dislike football so much that you have had your brain and body chemically inured against it, you’ll be aware that England were mauled 4-1 by Germany and are now very firmly out of the World Cup. But if anyone is watching ‘Rev’, I’d be interested to hear what it was like and what you thought of it. And you don’t have to say it was bad. I genuinely am not bitter about anything to do with it. And if I WERE bitter about it, you can bet I’d have well and truly covered it in this blog, as I largely use it for whining about things that haven’t worked out.
If you find yourself not watching me OR ‘Rev’ this evening, feel free to talk about that instead. Right, I’d better straighten up my tie for Paxman. Except I’m not sure it is Paxman tonight, and of course I don’t have a tie. But having said that, I presented an awards ceremony again on Friday, and my bloody shirt was tucked in FOR THE WHOLE THING. I’m in the process of hunting down some pictures of the event to prove it. You never know what you can do if you try.
Posted by Singing Rev’s Praises | the life pursuit on April 10, 2011
[...] premise for a sitcom to the BBC, only to be dismissed by a commissioner who told him that ‘Christianity is a pretty dull subject for a lot of people‘. As unfair and generalising as this may be, I was concerned that there would be viewers who [...]
Posted by Andrew on October 27, 2010
Ah, see, there are advantages to reading a blog four months late – I get to comment on Rev having watched the entire series, unlike all the above who were judging on the (generally unreliable) first episode of a new sitcom.
It was a fine series. Rarely, although occasionally, laugh out loud funny, but subtle and touching and with a whole slew of rounded characters. Tom Hollander, Miles Jupp, Olivia Colman and Steve Evets were all excellent, but Simon McBurney stole the show every week.
Posted by cymruangel on June 30, 2010
I rather liked Rev. People tend think vicars are stick-in-the-mud types, when all the ones I’ve ever known are very sociable (hence their job) and like a glass or two of something. So it’s nice that the programme acknowledges this (better than the dosy vicar in Brit flick “Keeping Mum”).
As a Christian, and a former church fundraiser, I found a lot of it very amusing indeed. But that’s probably because I’ve come across a lot of these characters myself!
Posted by Marie on June 29, 2010
I watched ‘Rev’ because I could use a new comedy show to watch, but I wasn’t impressed by it. I think I may have smiled once, but I definitely didn’t laugh at all.
The premise was interesting enough – a parish getting attention because of a good Ofsted report, but the characters, although mostly well-acted, were clichéd and unoriginal. A pushy father who thinks money can buy him anything, a priest who likes to drink (ooh, how shocking), a ball-busting headmistress… it’s like the writers never got past Chapter 1 of ‘Characterisation for Dummies’.
Posted by Tom Beasley on June 29, 2010
I think I shall have to take a look at both Rev and your Newsnight appearance on iPlayer. I had a hell of a lot going on last night (very very exciting stuff), so TV wasn’t really on my radar.
Posted by Hannahq on June 29, 2010
I did watch Rev. It was quite good, although not great. It had a few moments that really made me laugh, and obviously Tom Hollander is brilliant. I did expect a bit better. My dad gave it 5/10, but I think I would be more generous.
I was watching Newsnight, but then I switched over! They should make it clearer that you were on it later, I would have stuck with it. Ah well.
Posted by Rachael on June 29, 2010
I was watching four weddings, it astounds me how ridiculous people get about their weddings.
Posted by Laura on June 29, 2010
I prefer untucked shirts.
Posted by Sam on June 29, 2010
I sort of half-watched Rev, although I can’t promise that I didn’t accidentally nap through a lot of it. I’m a Christian, so I usually have a little peep at that sort of thing to see how it all plays out. I’m always interested by the combination of religion and comedy, because I think it’s an almost impossible subject to tackle in a way that is genuinely funny but also doesn’t alienate or offend a massive percentage of the country.
‘Rev’ had a cracking cast: I love Tom Hollander, especially since ‘In the Loop’, Miles Jupp is brilliant in everything and that woman from Peep Show who’s in absolutely everything is also very good. In the Loop, The Thick of It and Peep Show are absolute gems, partly, I suspect, because they don’t pull any punches with the humour. Some of it is offensive, but if you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch. I guess it’s difficult to make a cutting-edge sitcom about a vicar for that reason: to openly mock religion is still something of a no-no (and rightly so, to be honest), but the best comedy takes a clever, satirical look at its subject matter. Is it possible to satirise the church in a way that won’t offend Christians, but that will be understood by those who aren’t? I’m not sure. That seems to be what the makers of Rev have tried to do, and what was left was a perfectly adequate, gentle comedy. It did nothing new or adventurous though, and occasionally strayed into “weary vicar raises eyebrows at awkward parishioners” Vicar of Dibley moments. Perfectly inoffensive and impressively well judged, but ultimately dull.
Posted by amycool on June 29, 2010
Well I decided that an early night was in order, but it turns out I am no longer physically capable of sleeping before midnight. Those pesky circadian rhythms.
The consensus on Rev, which I wanted to watch because I find Tom Hollander attractive (am I shallow?), seems to be that it’s okay. That’s usually good enough for me.
This is a very dull comment made slightly less dull be deleting half of it.
Posted by SamJJ on June 29, 2010
We moved house yesterday so I spent the evening trying to find things in boxes.
We can’t fully unpack yet as the house is a bit of a building site with ongoing work. We have no bath/shower, hot water, or washing machine which is not ideal with a 4 month old baby to look after!
But we’re out of London and back in sunny Brighton, in a house with a garden and it’s ours! I’m a happy bunny!
Posted by Dawn on June 29, 2010
Sorry I didn’t watch “Newsnight” or “Rev” because I was reading in bed.
Ever since my prize “Eleven” arrived through my letter box my love for reading has been rekindled (is that the right word?) and I have read in bed almost every night!
I loved Eleven, Crap At The Environment and A Light Hearted Look At Murder and I’m trying to get hold of Bullet Points.
Eleven should definately be made into a drama like “This Life”, and I can see A Light Hearted Look At Murder being made into a brilliant film.
Thankyou Mark
Posted by Megan on June 29, 2010
Oh, yeah, being foreign, I watched the end of an ancient Simpsons and half-listened to a show about the Battle of Kursk.
Posted by LisaD on June 29, 2010
Neither show is available in the States but I’m absolutely positive that regardless of whether it’s funny or not, if it gets picked up for another series then Rev will get shown here eventually. Partly because the local PBS stations have a weakness for any and all “Brit-coms” (I apologize on behalf of my nation) but mostly because the opinion of Christianity over here is pretty much the opposite of that commissioner. If it’s innocuous enough it’ll probably get snapped up faster than Dibley, Father Ted and Ballykissangel combined.
I watched a Miss Marple rerun BTW.
Posted by h2osarah on June 29, 2010
I spent my afternoon/evening walking the dog to softball, playing softball, and walking the dog home from softball. We lost by 1 run in the last inning. That was our first loss of the season which is frustrating, and even worse, we lost to a team who takes themselves WAY too seriously. I hope we beat them in the tournament like we did last year. It was delicious.
Posted by Megan on June 29, 2010
I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of Rev, but on hearing that both Tom Hollander and Miles Jupp (on whom I have a wee crush) are involved, I might have to investigate.
I hope you turn up on Newsnight’s review of the week on BBC Canada. Fingers crossed.
Posted by Jay on June 29, 2010
I thought Rev was alright. I’ll watch next week but if it’s not very good I’ll probably forget it. It didn’t feel much like a comedy though, I must admit, but given the cast and the buildup on Twitter, I thought I’d give it a watch. Not as good as other shows but not a waste of time, either. I’m sitting on the fence a bit.
Posted by Matthew on June 29, 2010
I think all this proves, is TV producers and the like should be shot (or some less extreme form of punishment) whenever they make predictions. I’m sure your show was good and as good as Rev, and maybe you should have kept putting it forward (not sure if thats how tv works??) but yeah, people saying something will never happen is idiocy for the tv people, because they don’t know what the future holds, when they may no longer be the ones drinking the latte’s in the commissioning roles.
Posted by Someone on June 29, 2010
I just wrote a comment about Rev but deleted it because I’m not really sure what I think of it to be honest (god, it’s like I’m composing a work of art, here. I just don’t know why I have no friends).
Basically though, I liked it and will watch the rest of it, but it’s not exactly breaking any comic boundaries. Not really sure if it should be classed as a comedy at all… but then most of my actual favourite comedies, which are brilliant and also British, are ‘subtle’, so maybe that’s what this is. I’m not sure. Tired.
Anyway, overall, didn’t think much of the plot, but the actors/characters are great (as is the general idea). I’d say worth a watch. But maybe they just need your awesome writing skills to perfect it, Mark m’dear!
Posted by incurable hippie on June 28, 2010
On the positive, Rev wasn’t as good as I’d hoped, and I was about to moan about Newsnight talking about football, but then cheered up immensely when I saw you were there. So you win on both counts
Posted by Daniel on June 28, 2010
I found Rev quite dull and not very funny. I only watched it because of Tom Hollander and Miles Jupp, who were the best things about it as I predicted. I don’t know what it was trying to say, if anything
Posted by (Magnificent) Josh on June 28, 2010
Mark Lawson didn’t like it…
Posted by Anji on June 28, 2010
Hmmm I caught up on some sky – lie to me from last week. And now find myself watching a e world cup. I think I should just go to bed. Or watch something more high brow.
Hope newsnight was good Mark!
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on June 28, 2010
I’m watching Big Brother. I don’t mind admitting it. This is the first series I’ve watched and I must admit I am rather enjoying it. At the moment they just watched England loose and they all have to talk through puppets. It’s simply TV but rrather entertaining.
Now I hear you’re on Newsnight I will flick between the two until you’re on.
Is it sad that this blog pleased me because it shows that Newsnight is live? I’ve always wondered.
rachx
Posted by Aislinn on June 28, 2010
I’m watching Newsnight. I NEVER watch Newsnight. I feel important.
Posted by Adam on June 28, 2010
Haven’t seen Rev but just seen Jason Manford on twitter saying he pitched a similar sitcom idea around 6 years ago to the same producer. Strange.
Posted by LaurenJ on June 28, 2010
I’m intending to watch newsnight instead of doing what I should be doing -cramming for my sociology exam tomorrow…agh crap. Make it a good one!
Posted by Misha on June 28, 2010
Dear me, i’m starting to regret ever making the shirt joke.
Rev was good, quite enjoyed it, will have another watch. So far Tom Hollander reminds me of a shorter version of my uncle, who is a vicar, and always seems a bit lost in the real world. On a vaugely related note I can understand the vauge apathy towards christianity, I grew up in a village community with the church being a part of it but never forced on us. So now I don’t really believe in it, but I still feel intensely proud if we sing there at the festival with the choir, and I go up there to see my mum.
Anyway, I digress. Rev was good, i’m sure you will be good on newsnight (it hasn’t happened yet).
Posted by Sarah on June 28, 2010
Wow, I actually managed to get the first comment! In that case… Mark, you are, I imagine, doing what you love to do – as a successful comedian who quite often appears on TV. For a lot of people, probably including yourself, that would be a dream come true. I’d be interested to know if you have any other dreams which you never had the chance to fulfil, or better, still aim to fulfil (aside from your TYSICs).
Posted by Meg on June 28, 2010
I plan to watch both ‘Rev’ and Newsnight. I am currently watching Rev and I am liking it. It’s not the best thing in the world but it’s good enough. It’s a shame yours never got made because I think yours would probably be a lot better than this one. However, I do think Tom Hollander and Alexander Armstrong are fantastic! My mum used to live next door to Tom when they were children so we usually watch things with him in. I think my granny is still in contact with his mum which is nice. Anyway, overall Rev is good but not brilliant. I’m now looking forward to watching Newsnight. Although I probably should be doing homework instead of watching either of them. So I should probably stop writing this comment now. Bye!
Posted by Kathryn on June 28, 2010
Due to Northern Irish scheduling, it’s not even on here until midnight. We have something in Irish called “Imeall Geal” instead. So reviews would be interesting before I get the opportunity to watch it.
Posted by lisan66 on June 28, 2010
I’m not watching tv tonight! I’m helping my little sister pack for a holiday she’s going on tomorrow. The only reason I’m helping her is because she fell head first of a bike today and has a swollen chin, ankle and wrist. Adding to this, she’s grazed all down one side and she can’t bend over properly because her stomach is black and blue. She’s going to kill me if she finds out I’m writing about her on the internet, but i wanted to comment
Posted by Sarah on June 28, 2010
First comment?!