"Vicious": British comedy with Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi

[Jeff Wrangler]

Never liked Monty Python, still don't. 

British comedy covers such a wide spectrum. Monty Python never did much for me, either, and Benny Hill? Fuggedaboudit!

In college I read the comedies of Ben Jonson; they're early 17th century, but I found them hysterically funny, much funnier than Shakespeare (the way you can tell a Shakespeare play is a comedy is that at the end everyone ends up married instead of dead). I also read Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer--18th century and also quite funny--and Oscar Wilde's drawing room comedies--when performed properly, The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the funniest plays ever.

And then you get to television, and Britcoms still seem to span a wide spectrum. I've never seen Fawlty Towers, but I understand some people find it wonderful. And then you go all the way from the gentle comedy of As Time Goes By to the inimitable Are You Being Served? ("Take an inner leg, Mr. Humphries. ...")

[CellarDweller]

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

"Well, that came out of nowhere--"

[youtube=1067,600]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHx6vEv6GKs[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHx6vEv6GKs

Vicious
AKA
Vicious Old Queens


Si G
Published on Sep 4, 2013

Vicious
S01E01: "Wake"
Original air date: 29 April 2013

Vicious aka Vicious Old Queens  is a British sitcom shown on ITV. The series stars Ian McKellen as Freddie and Derek Jacobi as Stuart, a gay couple who have been together for 48 years but endure a love/hate relationship.

Freddie and Stuart host a wake to mark the passing of an old friend. Joined by their small circle of elderly friends, the couple manage to create a splendidly awkward evening of very little food and biting insults. They are also joined by their young new neighbour Ash (Iwan Rheon), who spends the evening attempting to be a good guest whilst fending off the advances of Freddie and Stuart's best friend Violet (Frances de la Tour).

Ian McKellen as Freddie Thornhill
Derek Jacobii as Stuart Bixby
Frances de la Tour as Violet Crosby
Iwan Rheon as Ash Weston
Marcia Warren as Penelope
Philip Voss as Mason

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicious_(TV_series)

[CellarDweller]

What I've seen of this series, I've laughed at!

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

What I've seen of this series, I've laughed at!

Ha! Chuck, the title should have been 'Silly Old Queens' rather than 'Vicious'!


"The ladies are a lot of work.
Men, on the other hand, are simpler."

 

"I'm suddenly living with Peaches Geldof."
"Do you even know who that is?"
"No."

(Sadly, in real life and in real time, less then a year later after the
original airdate, Peaches Geldof was dead with an overdose at 25.)

 

[youtube=1067,600]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB7vHleCKgQ[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB7vHleCKgQ

Vicious
AKA
Vicious Old Queens


David Gorilla
Published on Jan 22, 2015

Vicious
S01E02: "Shopping"
Original air date: 6 May 2013

Vicious aka Vicious Old Queens  is a British sitcom shown on ITV. The series stars Ian McKellen as Freddie and Derek Jacobi as Stuart, a gay couple who have been together for 48 years but endure a love/hate relationship.

New neighbour Ash (Iwan Rheon) seeks advice from them on winning back his ex-girlfriend, and Violet (Frances de la Tour) and Penelope (Marcia Warren) take Ash shopping for a gift. Spotting Stuart working in a men's outfitters, the trio suspects him of having an affair, but Stuart admits that he has taken a job because Freddie's acting career is currently not bringing in enough money. Later, Freddie goes to the shop and makes the same discovery, but pretends to believe that Stuart is having an affair because he does not want to hurt his pride. Ash tells Violet that he won his girlfriend back, but after witnessing the sacrifices of Freddie and Stuart, admires their closeness and ends his frivolous relationship.

Ian McKellen as Freddie Thornhill
Derek Jacobii as Stuart Bixby
Frances de la Tour as Violet Crosby
Iwan Rheon as Ash Weston
Marcia Warren as Penelope
Philip Voss as Mason

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicious_(TV_series)

[CellarDweller]

I think "vicious" fits!  LOL

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

I think "vicious" fits!  LOL

See how Sir Ian quickly made a funny rejoinder when the interviewer talked about the 'Vicious Old Queens' (around 5:50 - 6:00):
"Oh, I said, I'm not old."


 


Really, though, the two of them are so lovely!


 

[youtube=1067,600]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ce3PM-4tRE[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ce3PM-4tRE

Interview
with John F. Burns:
Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi
the stars of
Vicious
TimesTalks
in LONDON
Published on Nov 14, 2014

Hear Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen, interviewed by Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times  London correspondent John F. Burns. The two co–stars of the hit U.K. and U.S. sitcom Vicious — co–created, written and produced by Gary Janetti — are recognized worldwide as acting royalty for their careers on stage and screen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicious_(TV_series)

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

The Vicious Boys at NYC Pride 2015!

 


Sir Derek to Sir Ian:
"You stay in the car, dear."

 

[youtube=1067,600]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9USQ9p16s[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9USQ9p16s

Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi
the stars of
Vicious
at NYC Pride March 2015!
PBS
Published on May 4, 2015

Vicious  stars Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen have been name Grand Marshals for the 2015 NYC Pride March, along with J. Christopher Neal and Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. The March takes place Sunday June 28 2015.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicious_(TV_series)

[Front-Ranger]

Thanks for reviving this, John. I missed it the first time around!!

[CellarDweller]

I thought it was funny the way they fawned over Ash.