14 October (1994-10-14)– 18 November 1994 (1994-11-18)
Paris was a British sitcom produced by Talkback Productions for Channel 4. It was written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan, best known for their later sitcom Father Ted. The show only lasted one series, consisting of six episodes, broadcast between 14 October and 18 November 1994.[1] Set in the 1920s, Paris chronicled the antics of a loud-mouthed, hard-drinking French artist called Alain Degout, and the Left Bank pseudo-intellectuals and failed artists he associates with.[2] The show was not well received by the critics, and it has never been repeated.[3]
According to Graham Linehan, "It was about Paris in the 1920s and Alexei Sayle starred as a frustrated artist watching momentous things happen in the world of literature and art."[4] The show lampooned the excesses of the avant-garde art movement in Paris, but also other cultural and political phenomenon of the era, such the popularity of Jazz and the rise of Communism and Fascism.[5]
Production
Sayle, Linehan and Mathews had all worked together on The All New Alexei Sayle Show, a comedy sketch show whose first series was broadcast on the BBC in early 1994.[6]
With Alexei Sayle in the lead role, Paris was being fronted by a famous comedian and television veteran, giving it a major audience draw.[7] Sayle was one of the trailblazers of the alternative comedy scene, and his earlier BBC sketch programme Alexei Sayle's Stuff had run for three series between 1988 and 1991, with Sayle winning an Emmy in 1989.
For some scenes, Paris used painted backdrops instead of proper studio sets, which according to Linehan gave the sitcom a "fake" feel that made it "harder to engage" with the characters and the fictional world being created.[8]
Speaking to The Guardian in 2013, Linehan said, "It was in the days that I didn't realise writing was rewriting, as they say. We would refuse point blank to cut the script down to its proper length, so we'd end up with shows that were overlong."[9] This resulted in the recorded episodes being substantially edited down, with many jokes ending up on the cutting room floor.[10]
Channel 4 gave Paris a prominent Friday night slot, with the first episode broadcast on 14 October 1994.[11] So, Paris would have faced high expectations from the public and critics.
Critical Response
The series received poor reviews,[12] has been described as "critically lambasted",[13] and according to the Irish Independent, "Paris more resembled war-torn Beirut".[14]
In his autobiography, Linehan wrote of Paris, "I don't remember the show ever making it on to DVD, which is fair enough. There are fun things in it, but it was a swing and a miss".[15]
However, despite the negative response, Linehan stood by Paris, stating, "It was really painful for us, because I still stand by those scripts. If you look at those scripts, written down, you’d understand why people made it."[16]
Alain is arrested when one of his works of 'art' – actually just stains on his floorboards from paint and a spilled breakfast – incites a riot.
2
"Le Critique"
21October1994(1994-10-21)
When Degout spies an opportunity to ingratiate himself with and place one of his works directly in the hands of one of France's fiercest art critics, the 'Butcher of Bordeaux', he takes it!
3
"Les Gimmiques"
28October1994(1994-10-28)
Hearing talk of a portrait commission, Degout sets about devising an attention-catching gimmick in order to win the work. However, it seems that every other aspiring Parisian has had the same idea.
4
"Les Musiciens"
4November1994(1994-11-04)
Minotti persuades Degout to impersonate a renowned musician in order to impress some friends from out of town. Although initially reluctant, an altercation with an American-style jazz band leaves Alain the better off.
5
"La Solitude"
11November1994(1994-11-11)
Desperate for some peace and quiet in order that he may concentrate and receive inspiration for his art, Degout flees Paris for his rural childhood home. However, what he finds upon his arrival is not quite as expected.
6
"L'Insanitie"
18November1994(1994-11-18)
A misunderstanding with Rochet leads to Degout's incarceration in an asylum. Upon his release, Alain discovers that the episode led to his paintings finally selling – and so he decides he has only one option...
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