Rise of the Idiots

"Rise of the Idiots", by Dan Ashcroft.

Scene from the excellent "Nathan Barley" series in which Dan Ashcroft gives a commentary on the rise of the idiot classes. Many people think this rant is the exposition of co-creator Chris Morris's own feelings on popular culture.

• Category

  Comedy

[eobb1]

this is some scary prophetic shit right here

[proteoid]

The irony was at the time this series bombed. I always argued that it was because at the time it was aired, many people were pretty much in a Nathan Barley type existence themselves, and therefore failed to see the humour in it. I'm sure some of the twats thought it was a documentary.

[Edward Collier]

It bombed because it was shit. The original TV Go Home was brilliant, but it didn't translate well to the screen.

[proteoid]

Yes, I agree that could be part of it too. I was studying at Uni at the time, and felt that many students were the very definition of 'hipster' without realising it. So for me, I saw something in it outside of the London scene. But I take your point. I think it also clashed with something on the other channel ? can't remember what it was, but I remember it had high viewing figures.

[John Smith]

I think it flopped for the opposite reason: because the whole 'hipster' scene being parodied was, at the time, very small and confined for the most part to a few areas of London. I doubt if most people watching had much idea of the scene, never mind being a part of it.

[SleazeSandwich]

The Dan Ashcroft character is based on Brooker himself. You know that, right? In the few years since this series ended, Brooker has turned into one of the idiots he was railing against, complete with hair "sculpted to casual perfection" and several media non-jobs on his CV. Not such a fucking rebel now are you Charleston?

[handofsutekh]

Hi Nathan

[nebur970]

:D

[Man Duckly]

I would assume that is mainly because the show wasn't very good.

It didn't go far enough in satire, it weakly worked as a sitcom and it ran out of ideas. The only decent part of it was the pilot.

I tried to like it, but it just disappointed on many levels.

[llllleeeeeebbbbbb]

How did we let this happen, when we were all warned. I have no excuses, I hang my head in shame with the rest of you for letting this unfold... we should have done something when we still could.

[Amy Xina]

@Carmen Keiso hahaha!

[joebstarsurfer]

The new Gaurdian articles Pedos cool .