Why I liked it:
There are several strengths to this sketch that make it stand out.
1. It is funny. Clever - yes, different yes. But Number 1 it made me laugh.
2. Punchlines throughout the sketch. There are specific laughs that keep the sketch moving quickly.
3. There is no point to the sketch; it does not lead from or to anywhere but the spare and clever writing takes you immediately to the heart of a new world.
4. There are no words wasted in this sketch - its length and delivery are measured and there is a genuine progression.
5. Bizarre as the sketch is - it has an air of realism and begins with a scene / ends with a conversation that we all know well.
Now to get all A-Level criticism and read too much into the structure, metre and hidden depths of an extended gag.
Analysis:
Man in front room watching tv. A woman runs in crying and shaking.
Good start, immediate action that grabs your attention - no preamble.
Man: Oh my god, what's happened?We know there is a relationship, we see empathy and we have made our assumptions. The next line completes the set up as a normal domestic set-up with clearly defined roles. We then have a lovely mundane couple of seconds to further create the real impression before the man goes into the bathroom, the pace changes completely and the sketch becomes surreal.
Woman: (Really shaken up) I-I was going into the bathroom to use the toilet and....ahhhh.....eeeee...(high pitch) SPIDERINTHEBATH!!!!!
Man: Oh dear! Nevermind. (Puts arms around woman and puts on baby voice) Would you like fuzzy bear to deal with nasty spider.
Woman nods.
(Could have done with a punchline here)
Man: Okay, just relax here and I'll deal with it.
The sketch is not trying to be original. Spider in the bath is up there with Chickens crossing the road but there is originality to this that I like. No half measures in the description or the assumption that we are buying in to the world. There is no explanation through this sketch and that gives it a confident air
Camera follows man into kitchen. Whistling as he goes, he takes a postcard off the mail pile and takes a glass out of the cupboard. Still whistling his tune, we follow him upstairs. Doing a little two step at the stop of the stairs he turn and heads for the bathroom door. He opens it. There in the bath we see a giant spider having a fag and reading Heat magazine with a can on beer on the side.
The spider looks up.
Spider: What? (potential laugh)
First veer off on a tangent
Man: Don't give me what! For one thing, this is the third bath today! (potential laugh)
You are using up all the hot water again. (potential laugh) (I love this, nice little gag)
Spider: I turned the immersion on! What more do you want? Is that my glass?
Lovely - not at all what we were expecting; takes us off on another tangent
Man: (Handing over glass) Just think next time, okay? Why don't you just drink out of the can?
Spider: It's common. You took your time. (potential laugh)
Takes us off on another tangent
Man: I forgot, okay! And lock the door from now on. You gave Tina a fright. (potential laugh)
Takes us off on another tangent
Spider: It's nothing she hasn't seen before. (potential laugh)
Man: That might well be but please try in future.
I like this section as it is unexpected and not overplayed. The whole sketch is underplayed beautifully so that it reads very easily and you do not feel a drum roll building up to each punchline. I should just write that four times instead of looking for other ways to tell you that this is the best part of the sketch.
Spider: Okay (Going back to his magazine).
Man: Right (turning to leave then remembers)......oh by the way, Anna sent us another postcard (hands it over)
takes us off on another tangent
Spider: Oooooooooo where is she now.
Man: India
Spider: Nice. Close the door.
(potential laugh)Man Will do. (exits)
Random ending, no attempt to provide a conclusion but all the elements mentioned in the first half of the sketch - spider, bathroom, glass, postcard are all brought in carefully. There is a nice change of focus away from the original thought that this is a sketch about a couple and their spider in the bathroom. There is potential for a follow-up story and the style is minimal and witty.
