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Why I Love...We Are Klang

We Are Klang stars Marek Larwood, Greg Davies and Steve Hall
  • Posted at 3:50pm
  • 27 August 2009
  • by LauraPledger-RT
  • 10 comments

I want to talk to you about the Klangers. No, not the cute, knitted, whistling alien creatures. I mean the hapless staff of Klangbury Council.

For those of you who haven't seen their BBC3 show, allow me to set the scene. There's deputy mayor Greg (not-so-affectionately known as "Fat Gut Sparrow Legs"), played by an astonishingly tall actor with a mad gleam in his eye and an endearing tendency to corpse.

Marek, the goggle-eyed minister without portfolio - memorably described as looking like "a testicle on legs" - is frequently to be found clutching a soft toy of nightmarish origins and might charitably be labelled "slow". Steve, the good-looking, sarky one, is in charge of health and safety but really, really shouldn't be.

Every week they must cope with a different crisis in local government, which they generally overcome by running about like headless chickens, singing a nonsensical ditty, insulting the "Department of Audience" and slapping the chap with learning difficulties around a bit.

Yes, We Are Klang burst onto our screens with all the subtlety of a rutting rhino. We're not talking Yes Minister here.

The whole thing is pervaded by an air of barely contained madness. Oh, all right - it's not contained at all. And that can be a problem. Debbie Chazen's monstrous mayor is one-note and the occasional joke falls flat - just because something's daft doesn't necessarily mean it's funny. But if one gag is wide of the mark, there'll be another along soon enough to have you guffawing.

Lines are frequently rude - but not in a truly offensive way. It doesn't matter how bad a day you've had or how cheesed off you're feeling, it's all so gloriously silly you can't help but giggle.

Refreshingly, you get no sense of box-ticking, of comedy by committee, or setting out to appeal to a certain demographic. Actually, when you think about it, it's all quite old-fashioned: just three blokes messing around and doing what they find amusing - take it or leave it.

And that sense of fun is infectious. The guys are likeable, they're clearly enjoying themselves and they have a great rapport with their live audience. Those songs are winners, too.

We Are Klang: it may not be big, and it ain't always clever - but it is very funny.

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Comments

  • Posted on 22 September 2009
  • at 6:35pm
  • by Mr FIsher

I Feel that we are klang is the sort of programme you need after a rubbish day at work or stuck in traffic. Sitting watching these comic geniuses with there refreshing concept and songs that are hilarious derserve a place on tv I have recommended to my friends and the agree that it deserves a second series, its more funny than that drivel the mighty boosh!

  • Posted on 07 September 2009
  • at 2:46am
  • by dave russell

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant

  • Posted on 03 September 2009
  • at 11:10pm
  • by Wendy

I simply cannot understand people who criticise this programme. It's silly and unpretentious - and absolutely refreshing. Second series NOW please.

  • Posted on 03 September 2009
  • at 7:47pm
  • by Dave

Its refreshing to have something like this back on tv. Bottom was hillarious because it was basic, 2 anarchic actors going to a base level in order to entertain, we are klang also has this appeal.

Comedy shouldnt have boundaries and this is an excellent example. Hillarious, more please!

  • Posted on 03 September 2009
  • at 4:44pm
  • by Anna

I despair if we have a generation growing up thinking this is comedy. It is mindless drivel.

  • Posted on 01 September 2009
  • at 7:39pm
  • by 87Sal87

Omg, ythank you! Someone who finally thinks the exact same as me!

I can't believe some of the awful comments being posted about this wonderful show! I can't believe how devoid of humour people seem to be these days...

They're really funny guys who are obviously enjoying & ARE VERY GOOD at what they do! Making people laugh! & I bet alot of work went into the show!

By all means, if you don't like it, it's a free world...but at least show some respect, don't just be mindlessly nasty just because you don't find something funny...

Obviously being naturally funny & nice doesn't count for anything these days...

Thanks for posting a good review hun, it restores your faith!

  • Posted on 01 September 2009
  • at 2:46pm
  • by Department of Audience

I know Marek and can confirm he's actually jolly clever in real life.

There ARE moments when I think 'I wish they'd left that bit out - I can see people writing to the Daily Mail about that' but the same was true of Monty Python and is frequently also true of South Park. The vast majority of the time, I howl with laughter at this show and find myself singing about Dr Who and Winnie the Pooh more often than is advisable.

The 'sneakers/Snickers' take on modern art was a moment of observational genius.

We Are Klang throws a spanner in the works of political correctness and it's a brave move by both the Beeb and Klang.

If you are offended by it then switch off. People who are offended by political correctness don't have the benefit of an 'off' switch but they do have the benefit of We Are Klang. For the sake of democracy, permit us to giggle for a few minutes a week.

Pancakes are our friends,

Department of Audience

  • Posted on 29 August 2009
  • at 9:27pm
  • by SarahB

I agree with Laura! I love We Are Klang...each episode has made me laugh more than anything for a good while. It's like 'Bottom' crossed with 'The League of Gentleman', and if you didn't like either of them then you won't like this, so don't even bother trying. More Klang NOW please...

  • Posted on 28 August 2009
  • at 1:22pm
  • by Bigbeemer

Sounds just like the original Clangers then....totally incomprehensible!

  • Posted on 28 August 2009
  • at 8:19am
  • by Bruno

It's so appalling that it makes me ashamed to be watching TV, to be British and, in fact, to be human

Too much John Barrowman has warped your brain Laura!

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