Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy

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Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy
Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy.jpg
Series one intertitle
Genre Surreal comedy, new wave comedy [1]
Created by Nigel Coan
Noel Fielding
Written byNigel Coan
Noel Fielding
Directed byNigel Coan
Noel Fielding
StarringNoel Fielding
Michael Fielding
Tom Meeten
Dolly Wells
Rich Fulcher
Richard Ayoade
Opening theme"Luxury Comedy Theme" by Loose Tapestries (Series 1)
Variation of "Luxury Comedy Theme" by Loose Tapestries (Series 2–present)
Composers Sergio Pizzorno
Noel Fielding
Tim Carter
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producer Derrin Schlesinger
Running time25 minutes
Production companySecret Peter
Original release
Network E4
Release26 January 2012 (2012-01-26) 
28 August 2014 (2014-08-28)
Related
The Mighty Boosh
Bunny and the Bull

Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy, known as Luxury Comedy 2: Tales from Painted Hawaii for series two, is a British surreal comedy television series written and directed by Noel Fielding and Nigel Coan. The initial format for the series changes after the first series, with series one being a surreal sketch show, and series two being a sitcom. The series stars Noel Fielding, his brother Michael Fielding, Tom Meeten, Dolly Wells, and occasionally Rich Fulcher, Dave Brown, and Richard Ayoade. The first episode premiered on 26 January 2012 on E4. [2] The music for the first series was written by Noel Fielding and Kasabian's Sergio Pizzorno, a good friend of Fielding's, [3] under the band name Loose Tapestries. The duo were joined for the second series by Kasabian touring member, Tim Carter.

Contents

It is described on the Channel 4 website as "a psychedelic character based comedy show half filmed and half animated". [4] The first series started airing on 26 January 2012 and lasted for seven episodes. Channel 4 commissioned a second series, which started airing on E4 on 31 July 2014. The series format has switched from sketch show to sitcom, set mainly in a Hawaiian coffee shop. It features many new characters as well as the majority of characters from the first run. The series is given the subtitle Tales from Painted Hawaii. [5]

Plot

Each episode is structured around a plot involving Noel and his friends, accompanied by sketches featuring strange characters who are usually not connected to the main story. The first series is set in Noel's treehouse in a red and blue jungle, while the second series Tales from Painted Hawaii is set on a fictional island in Hawaii, where Noel runs a coffee shop. There are fewer sketches in the second series than in the first, with most of the character sketches being set around the Hawaiian island. During the second series, most episodes revolve around the characters having to complete a task before the end of the show.

Characters

Main

Recurring

All characters listed are played by Noel Fielding, unless stated otherwise.

Others

Episode list

Series 1 (2012)

#Total

Title

Directed byOriginal air date
11"Pelé" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 26 January 2012 (2012-01-26)

A mystery package arrives which turns out to be Secret Pieces cereal sent by Noel's Landlord Secret Peter. French chefs Renny and Gaviskon take 'a Trip to the Moon'. Roy Circles talks about his transport home from School and gets the Swingball Blues. Sgt. Raymond has an anecdote about his failed drugs bust in Miami where Figo escapes. Dondylion talks about his missing penis and zoo food before having a claustrophobic attack. Daddy Push dances to Sherlock. Noel frames his felt tip drawing of Pelé holding a china tea cup. "Is it the ball, or is it the saucer for the cup?" After blowing Andy's mind and viewing by Daran Cache, Roy Circles accuses Noel of tracing the drawing which leads to Pelé coming to life.

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Smooth, Secret Peter, Renny, Gaviskon, Tip Baker, The Moon, Pelé, Daddy Push, Sgt. Raymond Boombox, The Gash, Figo, Dondylion, John, Dolly, Warhol, Daran Cache (credited Darren Cache).
22"The Jelly Fox" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 2 February 2012 (2012-02-02)

Noel helps Lysergic Casserole escape their own guitar case using a ramp made of Ryvita. Tony Reason talks about his producing pouch. Diamondback gives us a tune from the Pet Shop. Daddy Push tries his hand at origami. Noel paints a picture with the help of Jeremy. Noel and Dolly argue about whether things are a "concept" or a joke. God and the Flea crashes a 100th birthday party. Warhol goes on holiday or does he? Dolly paints Noel's face. Four characters made of paper cutouts visit the Jelly Fox, "he'll give them what they need".

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Smooth, Lysergic Casserole, Tony Reason, Diamondback, Jeremy Beautiful Chest, Doo Rag, Ghost of A Flea, God, William Jessop, Warhol, Little Chrissy, Claw, Spoon Snake, McCoy, Dolly, Hawkeye.
33"King Tutta" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 9 February 2012 (2012-02-09)

Noel gets angry with King Tutta, tutting at him from afar. Joey loses his legs, Colin Montgomery uses the left one to win the Masters. Noel uses his typewriter to make characters travel "by television". Roy Circles talks about his army present. Fantasy Man runs into The Bobbatron on the way to seal up a crack in the internet. Dolly falls for Sugar Bone Thompson the Fab watching Hat, Daddy Push chops onions. City Gent blames a lack of art contribution on Ice Cream Eyes.

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Smooth, King Tutta, Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Colin Montgomery, Dolly, Warhol, Jeremy Beautiful Chest, Fantasy Man, Big Chief Whoolabum Boomalackaway, The Bobbatron, Golden Needle, Sugar Bone Thompson, City Gent, Ice Cream Eyes, Tony Coins, Adam Printout, Eugene Secret Note Passed Under The Door.
44"The Phone Cake" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 16 February 2012 (2012-02-16)

Noel wears a flashing headband and wins a speedboat made of bananas. Joey Ramone has a costume mix up at the beach. Smooth tricks people by making cakes that look like a phone. Roy Circles is upset about being banned from Christmas. Tony Reason has a special way to cut the tension and argues with his cleaner. City Gent blames a lack of stage production on Ice Cream Eyes. Fantasy Man searches for the Dream Tiger.

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Martin Rogers, Secret Peter, Joey Ramone, Joey Ramone's Mother, Smooth, Roy Circles, Warhol, Tony Reason, City Gent, Ice Cream Eyes, Cleaner, Fantasy Man
55"Mash Potato Utopia" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 23 February 2012 (2012-02-23)

Flash Liechi jumps 10 Weetabix. The Audience creates a mash potato revolver. Roy Circles talks about South Africa. Daddy Push finds a remote control for a box of chicken. Secret Peter finds Alan Hansen in his peg bag. Sgt. Boombox anecdotes the 'Toffee Apple Diamond Heist'. An ice cream van disrupts a tennis match. City Gent blames a lack of education on Ice Cream Eyes, who in turn isn't impressed with being covered in peas. Ravi writes a postcard home for Dondylion. Sgt. Boombox is blown up by Donald Nevereach.

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Smooth, Dolphin Bomber, The Audience, Doo Rag, Roy Circles, Daddy Push, Ian Guage, Secret Peter, Squirrel, Sgt. Raymond Boombox, The Gash, Count Ziggenpuss, Dondylion, Ravi, Donald Nevereach
66"Tiger with Chlamydia" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 1 March 2012 (2012-03-01)

Two Warhols appear and argue over which is the real one. Joey has a reaction to Grandma's oatcakes. Sgt. Raymond Boombox explains the reason behind his perm. Dondylion escapes the zoo to avoid Lionaids. The Tiger with Chlamydia causes chaos. Diamondback heads to Tesco Metro. Tony borrows Todd's Jeep to pick up the kids.

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Alfie, Warhol, Tony Reason, Joey Ramone, Grandma, Sgt Raymond Boombox, The Gash, The Brooklyn Ice Box Throttler, The Vice President, Dondylion, Alan Key, The Tiger with Chlamydia, Kurt Russell, Diamondback, Mrs Diamondback, Todd Lagoona, Roy Circles, Dolly, W. G. Disgrace
77"BBQ Breakdown" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 8 March 2012 (2012-03-08)

Two Brians cause division which leads to a fight. Helen Daniel's puts a screwdriver in The Audience's works, Doo Cloth comes to the rescue. Joey is late for a gig. Fantasy Man finds the Promised Land with help from the Dream Tiger. Noel has a BBQ Breakdown and causes a fire, this in turn causes panic. Eventually the entire show burns done, leaving a pile of ash two days later. All characters are left in black limbo to sing the closing theme a-cappella.

Characters in order of appearance:

Noel, Smooth, Kite Headed Ferry, Brian Eno Frisbee, Tony Reason, The Audience, Doo Rag, Helen Daniels, Doo Cloth, Warhol, Joey Ramone, Fantasy Man, Narrator, Dolly, City Gent, Ice Cream Eyes, Roy Circles, Burnt Sausage (Full character appearance in end scene - including Tutankhamun)

Series 2 (2014)

#TotalTitleDirected byOriginal air date
18"Paul Panfer" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 31 July 2014 (2014-07-31)
29"Saving Terry" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 7 August 2014 (2014-08-07)
310"Reality Man" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 14 August 2014 (2014-08-14)
411"Cucumbers of Cool" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 21 August 2014 (2014-08-21)
512"Joey and The Whale" Nigel Coan Noel Fielding 28 August 2014 (2014-08-28)

Music

The show's soundtrack is provided by Fielding and close friend Sergio Pizzorno of rock band Kasabian, who formed the group Loose Tapestries to make music for the series. An album entitled Loose Tapestries Presents: the Luxury Comedy Tapes was released following the first series. Fielding and Pizzorno returned to create the soundtrack for series two with Kasabian guitarist, Tim Carter. [6] The series one theme tune appears on the album as "Luxury Comedy" - a Hawaiian style variation of this theme tune is used for series two.

Reception

Series 1 received mixed reviews, offering both high praise and scathing criticism.

The Guardian described it as a "neo-psychedelic riot of mirth that regurgitates decades of memories of broad, Technicolor TV entertainment from The Banana Splits onwards." [7] Stephen Armstrong wrote in The Sunday Times that "Fielding grins down like a fiendish blend of Peter Gabriel, Syd Barrett, Samuel Beckett and a TV-age Antonin Artaud, unsettling and hypnotising in equal measure. In these dreary times it's as subversive as Bowie appearing on Tops of The Pops in a dress." Andy Johnson at Purple Revolver said that "if someone wanted to make TV for Salvador Dalí and Rene Magritte then Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy would be it. The artwork, decadent use of colour and reckless abandonment of the rules of form is a delight to watch." [8]

On the other hand, The Yorker said "The plots are too obscure to follow, so one is left with a lurid array of half-animated, half-real characters spouting phrases which seem to have been generated by flicking through the dictionary at random." [9] The Scotsman said of Fielding: "as an absurdist comedian he's so painfully uninspired and laboured" and "I was left bewildered as to how anyone could ever fall for this charmless rubbish", and goes on to say "he patently thinks of himself as a mind-blowing surrealist bursting with astonishing ideas (A sentient chocolate finger! A Noo Yoik cop with a talking wound!). But in reality he's the tiresome equivalent of the unfunny office clown persistently proclaiming how mad he is." [10]

Series 2 was rated 4/5 stars by the Daily Telegraph's Christopher Howse, who described it as "best watched drunk". [11]

International broadcast

In Australia, the first season commenced airing on ABC2 each Thursday at 10:30pm from 5 April 2012. [12]

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References

  1. "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy".
  2. "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy - Production Details & Cast and Crew". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  3. "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy - Channel 4 - Info - Press". Channel 4. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  4. "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  5. BBFC (n.d.). "The making of luxury comedy 2 - tales of painted Hawaii" . Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  6. "Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno teams up with Noel Fielding for second series of 'Luxury Comedy'". NME . 10 July 2014.
  7. Robonson, John; et al. (25 January 2012). "TV highlights: 26/01/12". The Guardian . Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  8. Johnson, Andy (3 February 2012). "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy review - second view" . Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. Couldrey, Lottie (28 January 2012). "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  10. Whitelaw, Paul (January 2012). "TV preview: Birdsong; We'll Take Manhattan; Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy". The Scotsman . Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  11. Howse, Christopher (31 July 2014). "Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy, E4, review: 'best watched drunk'". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  12. "ABC2 Programming Airdate: Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy (episode one)". ABC Television Publicity. Retrieved 12 May 2012.