Textual Analysis of part of Series 2, Episode 5-"The Legend of Old Gregg" of The Mighty Boosh.
This episode consists on the two characters Vince (played by Noel Fielding) and Howard (played by Julian Barratt) heading off to Black Lake after a terrible music gig. They found themselves out fishing in the Lake, when Vince is very successful in catching the fish and Howard tells him to go back to the pub. While Vince is then at the pub, while Howard is out fishing alone in the dark, Vince learns that their is a ghost story that states when out fishing when the moon in out, a ghostly merman will come called "Old Gregg". Howard is then abducted by "Old Gregg" and finds out that he loves Howard and wants to marry him. However, Vince and his friend then get out their submarine and go on the search for Howard in the lake.
The opening scene of this clip includes mise en scene which includes the use of costume, setting, props, casting and colour. The opening setting of the two characters at home seems quite normal for the audience as it is a relatable location. However, this is then contradicted through the fact that the character Naboo is using a hookah pipe, as this is not an everyday action shown on many other Sitcoms and in society. The costumes used by the characters in this opening scene, I feel represent the whole show. I feel this as the show consists of many strange yet relatable situations, which are make comical and unique through the use of the character's costumes. However, as the show presenting a normal situation as this opening scene, comedy is made by the characters acting normally despite being in very strange costumes. This then adds humor to the scene as it is like this is normal to the characters. The many vibrant colours used on the both the walls, props and costumes, instantly gives the impression that the character's lives are very strange and loud, which then adds comedy to the situations and the characters involved. Once the two characters of Vince and Howard walk in to the living room and begin their conversation with Naboo, the camera is constantly swapping to each character when one is talking. I feel that this swapping technique has been used to emphasise to the audience who is speaking at the time. High and Low camera angles are used in this opening scene during this same conversation to emphasises the idea that Naboo is sitting down. Also, the high cameras shots shown towards the characters Naboo may be suggesting to the audience that he is lower status than Vince and Howard, who have low camera shots. This is also emphasised through the Naboo's facial expressions, which are zoomed in to suggest that he is quite innocent and naive. This then contrasts with Vince's and Howard's confident facial expressions, dialogue and body language, suggesting that they are more important characters than Naboo. Also, the lighting shown in this opening scene is quite low key, with a few artificial lamps. The use of this low key light emphasises the fact that the scene is based at night, which then creates an eerie yet normal atmosphere. The synchronous sound made by the object been thrown through the window creates a dark and violent mood for the scene, however due to the characters being light hearted, it creates quite a blunt and comical moment. This is especially shown with Naboo's following comment of "There's one of your flies attached", as he says is in such a comic yet concerning way.
The following scene begins with the two characters of Vince and Howard travelling in a car. The scene begins with the non-diegetic sound of the music. The use of the happy style of music being out of the the character diegesis, adds comedy to the situation as the characters as running away from hated fans. By using a jump cut editing skill here as the scene changes, causes the audience to notice that time has passed between the characters leaving the house to getting in the car. The long camera shot at this point emphasises the idea that the characters are moving to another place, while also creating the idea that time is passing yet again. Once the car has then passed the camera, a zoomed in camera shot in then permanent for the entire car journey. I feel that a zoomed in camera shot was used to emphasise that the scene is based just on the two characters of Vince and Howard as there is shown surroundings shown, causing all the audience's attention to be on the characters. The non diegetic sound is of the car moving is used to create the sense that the characters are in a normal situation, which is a common code and conventions in Sitcoms. The use of Mise En Scene with the setting in this scene is still dark, emphasising that it is taking place at night. The fact that the scene is set at night, creates a slight eerie atmosphere as it is associated with mystery, death and evil. However, as said before, these connotations are taken away due to the light hearted atmosphere created through the character's dialogue and actions.
After looking at a short part of this episode I have found that The Mighty Boosh uses serious situations but makes them look comical. I feel that this is done strongly through the costumes used within the characters and the dialogue in which they come out with. I would say that The Mighty Boosh is quite unique in the sense of its comedy as it is comical in the ways that it shouldn't be due to the strangeness of some characters. I feel that this is emphasised in the first couple of minutes of this episode, as the situations itself aren't particularly comical, its what the characters say, and how they do it that makes quite a surreal and strange image for the audience.
This episode consists on the two characters Vince (played by Noel Fielding) and Howard (played by Julian Barratt) heading off to Black Lake after a terrible music gig. They found themselves out fishing in the Lake, when Vince is very successful in catching the fish and Howard tells him to go back to the pub. While Vince is then at the pub, while Howard is out fishing alone in the dark, Vince learns that their is a ghost story that states when out fishing when the moon in out, a ghostly merman will come called "Old Gregg". Howard is then abducted by "Old Gregg" and finds out that he loves Howard and wants to marry him. However, Vince and his friend then get out their submarine and go on the search for Howard in the lake.
The opening scene of this clip includes mise en scene which includes the use of costume, setting, props, casting and colour. The opening setting of the two characters at home seems quite normal for the audience as it is a relatable location. However, this is then contradicted through the fact that the character Naboo is using a hookah pipe, as this is not an everyday action shown on many other Sitcoms and in society. The costumes used by the characters in this opening scene, I feel represent the whole show. I feel this as the show consists of many strange yet relatable situations, which are make comical and unique through the use of the character's costumes. However, as the show presenting a normal situation as this opening scene, comedy is made by the characters acting normally despite being in very strange costumes. This then adds humor to the scene as it is like this is normal to the characters. The many vibrant colours used on the both the walls, props and costumes, instantly gives the impression that the character's lives are very strange and loud, which then adds comedy to the situations and the characters involved. Once the two characters of Vince and Howard walk in to the living room and begin their conversation with Naboo, the camera is constantly swapping to each character when one is talking. I feel that this swapping technique has been used to emphasise to the audience who is speaking at the time. High and Low camera angles are used in this opening scene during this same conversation to emphasises the idea that Naboo is sitting down. Also, the high cameras shots shown towards the characters Naboo may be suggesting to the audience that he is lower status than Vince and Howard, who have low camera shots. This is also emphasised through the Naboo's facial expressions, which are zoomed in to suggest that he is quite innocent and naive. This then contrasts with Vince's and Howard's confident facial expressions, dialogue and body language, suggesting that they are more important characters than Naboo. Also, the lighting shown in this opening scene is quite low key, with a few artificial lamps. The use of this low key light emphasises the fact that the scene is based at night, which then creates an eerie yet normal atmosphere. The synchronous sound made by the object been thrown through the window creates a dark and violent mood for the scene, however due to the characters being light hearted, it creates quite a blunt and comical moment. This is especially shown with Naboo's following comment of "There's one of your flies attached", as he says is in such a comic yet concerning way.
The following scene begins with the two characters of Vince and Howard travelling in a car. The scene begins with the non-diegetic sound of the music. The use of the happy style of music being out of the the character diegesis, adds comedy to the situation as the characters as running away from hated fans. By using a jump cut editing skill here as the scene changes, causes the audience to notice that time has passed between the characters leaving the house to getting in the car. The long camera shot at this point emphasises the idea that the characters are moving to another place, while also creating the idea that time is passing yet again. Once the car has then passed the camera, a zoomed in camera shot in then permanent for the entire car journey. I feel that a zoomed in camera shot was used to emphasise that the scene is based just on the two characters of Vince and Howard as there is shown surroundings shown, causing all the audience's attention to be on the characters. The non diegetic sound is of the car moving is used to create the sense that the characters are in a normal situation, which is a common code and conventions in Sitcoms. The use of Mise En Scene with the setting in this scene is still dark, emphasising that it is taking place at night. The fact that the scene is set at night, creates a slight eerie atmosphere as it is associated with mystery, death and evil. However, as said before, these connotations are taken away due to the light hearted atmosphere created through the character's dialogue and actions.
After looking at a short part of this episode I have found that The Mighty Boosh uses serious situations but makes them look comical. I feel that this is done strongly through the costumes used within the characters and the dialogue in which they come out with. I would say that The Mighty Boosh is quite unique in the sense of its comedy as it is comical in the ways that it shouldn't be due to the strangeness of some characters. I feel that this is emphasised in the first couple of minutes of this episode, as the situations itself aren't particularly comical, its what the characters say, and how they do it that makes quite a surreal and strange image for the audience.
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