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13 out of 14 people found the following review useful: hilarious comedy based in the North West of England, 27 February 2005 Author: didi-5 from United Kingdom
This comedy, which ran for two series, was co-written by and starred (in several roles), Bolton comic Peter Kay, who has his finger perfectly on the breathing pulse of North West England (speaking as someone the same age as Kay who comes from a part of the NW not a million miles from Bolton). Phoenix Nights was set in a lousy Northern club with 'entertainment', bingo, and droll staff, just the kind of club that existed in the 1970s and 1980s.Brian Potter, owner and sometime licensee, is wheelchair bound and sarcastic, with his wingeing voice and blustering manner. Played by Kay he is a great creation. The main target for Brian's verbal attacks is Jerry 'St Clair' (Dave Spikey) who acts as compère and - at times - terrible entertainer. Doormen Max (Kay again) and Paddy (Patrick McGuinness) went on to have their own spin-off series.Alongside the long-running feud between Potter and Den Perry (Ted Robbins), the high points of Phoenix Nights includes the variety 'auditions' which ended each episode (who could forget the doves which flew into the air condition fans, or the ping pong lady?). The audience at the Phoenix were real-life Bolton residents, and their reactions are absolutely genuine.I have two favourite episodes - the one with the outdoor entertainment ('Sammy the Snake' (!), and the Children's Activity Hut, formerly the Gents loo); and the Stars in Their Eyes episode (with the jam-jar glassed club worker as Gary Glitter, and Jerry and Brian as Elton John and George Michael).It ended far too soon but the two series that were made are the stuff that makes classic comedy.
6 out of 6 people found the following review useful: Very Funny, 1 December 2003 Author: Andrew Marshall from United Kingdom
This is what comedy, and for that matter films, are all about. The characters are deep, real and extremely funny. The beauty is that these are all people we know. At times you may not notice, but Peter Kaye plays several of the characters. My personal favourite is fire officer Keith Lard who interferes with dogs in the worst possible way and has no connection whatsoever with Keith Laird of Bolton Fire Service. Max and Paddy probably take the prize of the regular crew. One of the great things about this series is that every time you watch it, you spot something else that's funny and make sure you listen to the music that's playing. The good news is that series 2 is now out and Max and Paddy will return in their own programme at some point.
7 out of 8 people found the following review useful: Shame i cant vote. I'd give it 11/10, 20 February 2003 Author: nickthegun from United Kingdom
Clubland will never die.Well not if Peter Kay keeps treating us to this little lovely. Phoenix Nights is one of those rare comedies. Rare as in its actually funny (see ‘Ed Stone is dead'. Which is so unfunny its basically the ‘Anti-Phoenix').Anyone who has grown up in the north will instantly recognise virtually everything that happens in the Phoenix. The theme nights, the cheesy compere, the ugly regulars who sit there all day on a pint of mild. Its all there. Which is one of peter kays strengths. Brilliant observation in all of his work.The writing is incredibly strong and the performances are first rate. The comedy set pieces in each episode will have you in tears (‘The Stannah Stairlift Seduction' and the ‘Erotic Bouncy castle' are standouts).Season 1 and 2 are, in my opinion, equally as good as each other. And, although it isn't really fair to judge the two together, I actually prefer the Phoenix to The Office. Judged purely on laugh out loud moments Peter Kays superb series just edges it for me.I didn't think it could get any funnier. Then I watched the DVD with the directors commentary….
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: garlic bread IS the future =), 19 July 2004 Author: asio-1 from London
Peter Kay / Dave Spikey are stand up comedians, very funny ones @ that along with Neil (shabba!) fitzpatrick, hopefully they are getting the reorganization for their work now. They draw a lot of comedy from real life things, which is why things like PN is so funny. (Fawty Towers, is another good example of such a thing).I have a friend from up north (near Bolton) was shocked I knew about such working man clubs. Thing is, if your Irish, or of Irish origins, like me and used to go Irish clubs with parents, its really the same thing, and you can relate.This show and the stand up comedy DVD's Peter / Dave have done, will have you laughing esp. the "bolton halls - mum needs a bungalow" one. They were clever in making the series as there is SO much scope with it, and hopefully more series will follow. If you are a Brit abroad, or have watched a lot of UK TV, you would relate to many things , such as Jim "the" Bowen (super/smashing/great) being featured in it. Maybe other people would miss some of the jokes, but there is jokes in there everyone would get. Some jokes are very subtle, and it's one you'd have to re-watch. Which is good, Naked gun, Aeroplane etc are the same in that respect. I think its like comedy I've watched from oversea's such as kids in the hall, red & green show etc. Although some of the jokes are localised, there are things in there to make you laugh.If you like comedy which is based on real life , you'll like this. The cast is good, except the one who was the youth club dj.. he slated the show later after winning an award.. I don't find him as funny as a stand up comedian anyway, just thought it was a bit snipey TBHDEN PERRY DID IT!!! =)
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Bring this to Canada!, 5 September 2003 Author: SammyK from Canada
Just by fluke, I happened to catch an episode of this funny-as-all-hell show while vacationing in the UK. To the powers that be (being the TV station heads here in Canada): please pick up Phoenix Nights, and begin airing episodes here ASAP! This is too funny to miss! And as a plug to Canadian audiences: This could easily be a British companion piece to our "Trailer Park Boys" (except way better!)
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Outstanding, 10 March 2001 Author: motor89 from Lancashire, England
'Phoenix nights' is destined to become a classic of British comedy, in the same league as 'Fawlty Towers' and 'I'm Alan Partidge'. It really is that good.The humour is clever, observational, very politically incorrect and oh-so Northern England. As with all really excellent comedy it draws you in and makes you fond of the characters, despite their many flaws. You all know the type of people in this show because you see them everyday at home and work.'Phoenix nights' follows Brian and his attempts to rebuild his nightclub for the third time... most recently after it burnt to the ground (hence the name phoenix). Peter Kay plays many of the parts himself (all brilliantly) including Brian, the club owner and memorable of all, Keith Lard the fire inspector with some odd personal habits. Quite apart from Kay, every single actor in the show does a superb job capturing the quirks and oddities that make human life so amusing... there's not one single bad performance.The only possible problem is that it's hard to tell how well it will travel. Many of the jokes are, as I mentioned earlier, very British and even more specifically, very Northern.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Wonderful!, 2 July 2004 Author: Stephen Bailey (diana@bailey6770.fsnet.co.uk) from Lincoln England
When I was a lad my father used to take me & my brothers to a Working Mens Club on Saturday nights. It was AWFUL! Old people sat at regimented benches miserably supping ale, useless ventriloquists, tone-deaf singers, crap magicians & an obese nut-case who used to wander around selling cockles and mussels.But we LOVED the place!Peter Kay is a genius. He's got such a wonderfully original and quintessentially English sense of humour. Yeah! We love being "little Englanders" and I've laughed my head off throughout every episode of Phoenix Nights. I doubt this show will ever be seen outside Britain & I'm sure that people from other countries who live/work here will be utterly mystified by it, however. Peter Kay is the patron saint of the northern working class, of which I'm a proud member. "Top bomber!"
5 out of 6 people found the following review useful: So funny, 20 February 2004 Author: Tom Dawson (piffel) from Blyth, England
This IS the best thing on tv (even though it's not on at the moment. inviguratingly funny, showing that Peter Kay is a comic gem. The auditions at the end of each episode make me cry with laughter...the jugula...need i say more? 10 out of 10
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Fantastic, 7 January 2005 Author: IridescentTranquility from Lancashire, United Kingdom
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
As a person from the North, I love this. How can anyone not love it? There is so much that is great about Phoenix Nights. One of the things I like most is the way Peter Kay has made all of the characters so real. Brian Potter seems to be out for all he can get - he's a very rounded character. The characters' reactions to all the different situations are ingenious and - to an extent - it is a topical programme. I hope one day people will start to think of it as a British classic. Two episodes I particularly love are the Crimewatch UK-style programme that features the Phoenix Club and also the way the characters rally round for the Stars In Their Eyes night. I have no idea how they came up with so many different acts and so many different costumes. I think the sense of community at the Phoenix Club is an important factor in holding the character together, and I love the way Brian Potter can't stop acting like the manager, even after Jerry St Clair has (supposedly) taken over. People may not like Phoenix Nights but everyone should at least try it.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Hilarious, 28 December 2003 Author: zweihander from United Kingdom
You wait your whole life for a bus and then two come along at once....2001 saw a great return to form for british sitcom. With barely enough time for us to stop chuckling to ourselves at the subtle brilliance of The Office, on stepped Phoenix Nights - the creation of excellent comedian Peter Kay.Phoenix Nights follows the trials and tribulations of the locals of "The Phoenix Club", Bolton, England - from inflatible phallic bouncy castles, to youth club productions of Karate Kid, to psychics who can't stop insulting people.Whilst often side-splittingly funny.... much like its more famous cousin The Office, Phoenix Nights' true genius is found in subtle movements and actions which paraphrase brilliantly life in the north of England. Peter Kay demonstrates in his live shows (another must) his knack of picking up on peoples innate phrases and hand movements which he reproduces in this very often (if you look closely enough). I know its an old cliché, but it really is funny because its true.Highly recommended.
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