May 19, 2012

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Funny Foster’s ads continue

April 19, 2012 By Hayden Bell

In the latest the Fosters ad series, we see Brad out of his comfort zone and having to eat cucumber sandwiches at an English garden party. But before he does, he gives his mate Dan a call to get a second opinion.

Dan’s in the Foster’s shack on the beach in Oz, watching some sausages sizzle on the barbecue. Brad tells him the good news first – they’re serving Foster’s Gold at the party, but: “all the sangers have just got greenery in them” Dan can’t believe his ears: “No sausage? That is a crime against sliced bread!”

Brad’s idea is to not eat the sandwiches, firstly because he’s an Australian, and secondly, because he’s a man. But his buddy on the beach thinks not. Instead, he thinks Brad should show some sympathy for people who can’t afford to put meat in their sandwiches.

We see Brad chatting to the party host and assuring him that his secret is safe: “Spent all the sandwich money on Gold, eh?” You little ripper!”

The Fosters advert ends with the line “Foster’s Gold – Australian for Chic.” And we can see that those marketing men working for Foster’s are trying to get the ladies interested in drinking Foster’s too. The first ad in this new series for Foster’s Gold featured ex Neighbours star Holly Valance, chatting to Brad & Dan at a cocktail party with the Sydney Opera House in the background.

“Holski” is complaining that she’s sick of “frocking up” for parties and wants to know how the boys managed to get away without dressing up for the do. Read the fine print, is their advice to Holly, and they demonstrate how they interpret the request to dress ‘smart casual’. Holly thanks them for the advice, and walks off, leaving Dan to ask Brad: “Wonder how she’ll repay us?”. To which Brad replies: “That thing you’re thinking. It won’t be that!” As the boys always say: Good call!

The move away from the beach shack certainly hasn’t dented the boys’ ability to keep us chuckling. Can’t wait for the next one….

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An Attention-Grabbing Alternative

March 12, 2012 By Hayden Bell

Delivering large amounts of information to shareholders and members is a test for even the most gifted of public speakers.

Minds wander, eyes drop and interest wanes, and for a while there was nothing you could do about for it, save for regular breaks or an aggressive clearing of the throat.

Finding the perfect setting for your presentation, conference or AGM can be a huge challenge, but as a corporate entertainment venue, the cinema is a real attention-grabber.

It’s true that the world’s leading leisure destination is now rapidly emerging as a leading venue for business conferences and annual general meetings, but why is this happening?

The most obvious advantage it holds over many alternative options is that a visit to the cinema not just another mundane appointment, but a welcome addition to a professional schedule filled office de-briefs, business functions and administrative appointments.

Taking your annual general meeting to venue more commonly associated with characters and conflict than corporate agendas may not seem like a viable option, but it could turn out to be one of the shrewdest business decisions you ever make.

Of course the first thing you notice when you enter a cinema auditorium is the screen. It demands attention and produces a natural medium for the delivery of key information and content

And it’s not just powerful visuals at your disposal. A surround sound audio system will keep ears alert throughout proceedings and reinforce the speaker’s authority.

This is a world away from the board-room and truly a platform for those with something important to say.

As an entertainment setting, cinema has inspired for generations, but the evidence suggests that it has great potential to replicate this success as a corporate entertainment destination.

So next time you begin to lay down plans to stage a business conference or AGM, consider the cinema. You’ll be glad you did.

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The Fast Show – back and fast-forwarding

December 28, 2011 By Hayden Bell

If you’ve been watching the all-new Fast Show 2011 at Fosters.co.uk, you’ll already know that the show is just as good in its reincarnated version –as it ever was in its original form.

The reason for this, of course, is that it’s largely the same. But make no mistake, this is no criticism. The show’s original line-up of the characters that were to become household names in the UK needs no changes. All they need is new situations to find themselves in  – and that’s exactly what creators Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse have sagely decided to do.

Hitherto, the pair were reluctant to bring the show back, save for a one off back in 2000, in which Johnny Depp famously starred, and a few spin-off series or shows, as with Ralph and Ted and the legendary car dealer Swiss Toni.

If you haven’t seen these, by the way, then there are loads of Fast Show and its spin-offs’ funny videos available to view on YouTube.

In fact, the show’s main actors were quick to pay homage to the importance of YouTube in bringing back the show as so many had viewed the old stuff on that website.

It was also fitting, then, that the 2011 version should be online only at Fosters’ website. Fosters has really set itself up as a major sponsors of comedy in the UK – and a fine thing that is too, as it brought the Fast Show back – along with comedy duo Vic Reeves and Bb Mortimer, who most people seem to either love or hate.

So the Fast Show is back and it’s very much on fast-forward with its new-style punchy delivery of short comedy clips as befits the age of five second attention spans, YouTube video clips and doing six things at one time on the web.

Despite this bold move, it’s exceedingly good – so don’t miss it!

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Want to see great comedy? Look online!

December 4, 2011 By Hayden Bell

Almost two decades on from making its name on British TV, The Fast Show is back with fresh material for a new online-only series hosted on the Foster’s Funny website.

The Fast show became popular in the 1990s through the BBC and is well-known for its vast range of catchphrases and characters, ranging from the rambling old man Rowley Birkin QC to the enthusiastic Brilliant Kid. Some of the characters even went on to star in their own spin-off programmes, notably Ted and Ralph.

The show ran for three series from 1994 to 1997, with a three-part Last Fast Show Ever in 2000, starring Hollywood star Johnny Depp. After that series, the show’s stars went their own way and that appeared to be that for The Fast Show. That was until beer company Foster’s came forward with an offer the show’s creators Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse couldn’t refuse.

Like Alan Partridge’s Mid Morning Matters and Vic & Bob’s Afternoon Delights before them, Higson and Whitehouse accepted an invitation from Foster’s to make a comeback on the World Wide Web. They had no hesitation and quickly assembled the old team.

Arabella Weir, Simon Day, Caroline Aherne and John Thomson, not forgetting Higson and Whitehouse, are all back and have slipped back into their numerous roles as if they have never been away. The sketches featuring Rowley Birkin QC and Swiss Toni, in particular, are must-sees.

The first episode of the new web-based series hit computer screens on November 10 and was the first of 12 planned episodes, each one approximately eight minutes long. These brand new funny videos are available now on the Foster’s website and YouTube.

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The Fast Show’s internet comeback

November 25, 2011 By Hayden Bell

When The Fast show left our television screens in 2000, it looked as if that was that for the comedy sketch show which came to prominence on the BBC in the mid-1990s.

Now, over a decade on, the show is back for a 12-episode online series, with fresh material written by creators Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. Each episode of the new series will last approximately eight minutes.

The show may have moved with the times in joining the ever-growing internet revolution, but it has stuck with the same core principles which made it so popular during the 90s. Familiar characters such as Ted and Ralph, Ron Manager and Swiss Toni are back and with them come the familiar catchphrases which were mimicked up and down the country all those years ago. “Suit you, sir!”

The Fast Show reinvented sketch comedy with its unique style – sometimes fitting twenty-seven sketches into a thirty minute episode. The show’s innovative style would later influence comedy classics like The Catherine Tate Show and Little Britain.

The first couple of online episodes suggest The Fast show 2011 hasn’t lost any of the charm which made the show an instant hit when it appeared on the comedy scene in 1994. Mark Williams is conspicuous by his absence, but the rest of the cast is present and on top form, lead by the brilliant Whitehouse. Rowley Birkin QC, the Chanel 9 team and Professor Denzil Dexter all feature and bring back nostalgic memories from the past.

It will be tough for The Fast Show to hit the heights of the 90s, but with an excellent cast of actors and equally adept writers, the show has every chance.

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