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Product Description
Product Description
The sitcom set in hell. Satan runs his infernal world with the assistance of his chief demon, Scumspawn. Amongst those he torments are Edith, a murdered historian, and Thomas, the most repellent human who ever lived. Full of jokes and broad comedy the show is also a philosophical study of the human condition, asking such questions as whether man is inherently good or evil. Satan decides to ban Christmas and then he needs a holiday.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
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If you're reading this you probably don't need any introduction to Old Harry's Game. You know all about Andy Hamilton's excellent portrayal of the Devil, cynical and twisted with a voice like Anthony Newly. You know about Scumspawn, his most revolting and fawning demon, played by Robert Duncan. By now you probably know about Edith, the dead historian Satan has hired to write his biography. You know this is a wickedly funny comedy.
These two episodes are the 2010 Christmas specials, broadcast to coincide with Christmas and New Year. In the first episode Satan gets tired of dealing with the seasonal intake of drunks and idiots, and sets about abolishing Christmas. In the second episode he decides to get away from it all with a short holiday in the Lake District, leaving Scumspawn to run Hell with predictable results.
The tone is cynical and sarcastic, with an undercurrent of silliness, and is a perfect comedy blend. Those familiar with the show will recognise some recurring themes and retrodden paths, but it is delivered so expertly that we just don't care, it's still hilariously funny. Satan and his merry gang of fiends are one of the funniest things around at the moment, and I defy anyone with a sense of humour not to laugh at this!
Two half hour episodes are contained on one disc. There are some brief liner notes, including a new introduction from Any Hamilton, a welcome change to the same note included over and over again on the previous 8 releases.
Highly recommended.
These two episodes are the 2010 Christmas specials, broadcast to coincide with Christmas and New Year. In the first episode Satan gets tired of dealing with the seasonal intake of drunks and idiots, and sets about abolishing Christmas. In the second episode he decides to get away from it all with a short holiday in the Lake District, leaving Scumspawn to run Hell with predictable results.
The tone is cynical and sarcastic, with an undercurrent of silliness, and is a perfect comedy blend. Those familiar with the show will recognise some recurring themes and retrodden paths, but it is delivered so expertly that we just don't care, it's still hilariously funny. Satan and his merry gang of fiends are one of the funniest things around at the moment, and I defy anyone with a sense of humour not to laugh at this!
Two half hour episodes are contained on one disc. There are some brief liner notes, including a new introduction from Any Hamilton, a welcome change to the same note included over and over again on the previous 8 releases.
Highly recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Vine™ Review
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Satan is hard at work during the busiest time of the year in Hell. First of all, he tries to ban Christmas (whilst, in the meantime, his cohorts are 'making merry'), then he decides that he needs to take a holiday ... in the Lake District!
It's amusing; the jokes are relatively up to date (including mention of Kindles!); it's certainly irreverent in many places - and yet it's reminiscent of the Screwtape Leters by CS Lewis. There is a great cast, which includes
Jimmy Mulville playing the mendaciously evil Thomas and the incomparable Annette Crosbie as his wearily resigned mother-in-law, the retired Historian, Edith.
Enjoyable entertainment with laugh out loud moments; although some of the jokes are rather predictable in places.
It's amusing; the jokes are relatively up to date (including mention of Kindles!); it's certainly irreverent in many places - and yet it's reminiscent of the Screwtape Leters by CS Lewis. There is a great cast, which includes
Jimmy Mulville playing the mendaciously evil Thomas and the incomparable Annette Crosbie as his wearily resigned mother-in-law, the retired Historian, Edith.
Enjoyable entertainment with laugh out loud moments; although some of the jokes are rather predictable in places.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Vine™ Review
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PLOT
====
The series is mainly set in Hell and has the occasional appearance by God(first name Nigel.
The premise is the ongoing relationships with Satan and his underlings and often has historical characters (A sweary Jane Austen, A predatory Florence Nightingale etc.)
THE CD
======
This is a two part Christmas special from Christmas 2010. There is also a Christmas special from 2002 Old Harry's Game Christmas Special (Radio Collection) and a bumper box set Old Harry's Game: The Complete Series 1-7 Box-set (BBC Audio) which has the Christmas 2002 set included. So this is an excellent taster.
In CD one entitled Christmas Spirit Satan decides to ban Christmas. Satan disguises himself as various religious figures, including the Pope, in denouncing Christmas;
In Cd two entitled Ring in the New Satan decides takes a holiday in the Lake District leaving Scumspawn in charge of Hell. Takes a management seminar with Genghis Khan, Winston Churchill, Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth I and Brian Clough.
FUNNY
=====
It's superbly written and often captures current events (banking crisis) and takes digs at Historical figures. It's classic Radio Four and is wholeheartedly recommended. I like this type of comedy as it is intelligent, funny exceptionally well written and works because it is on radio. I don't think it would on TV.
RECOMMENDED
===========
Yes
====
The series is mainly set in Hell and has the occasional appearance by God(first name Nigel.
The premise is the ongoing relationships with Satan and his underlings and often has historical characters (A sweary Jane Austen, A predatory Florence Nightingale etc.)
THE CD
======
This is a two part Christmas special from Christmas 2010. There is also a Christmas special from 2002 Old Harry's Game Christmas Special (Radio Collection) and a bumper box set Old Harry's Game: The Complete Series 1-7 Box-set (BBC Audio) which has the Christmas 2002 set included. So this is an excellent taster.
In CD one entitled Christmas Spirit Satan decides to ban Christmas. Satan disguises himself as various religious figures, including the Pope, in denouncing Christmas;
In Cd two entitled Ring in the New Satan decides takes a holiday in the Lake District leaving Scumspawn in charge of Hell. Takes a management seminar with Genghis Khan, Winston Churchill, Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth I and Brian Clough.
FUNNY
=====
It's superbly written and often captures current events (banking crisis) and takes digs at Historical figures. It's classic Radio Four and is wholeheartedly recommended. I like this type of comedy as it is intelligent, funny exceptionally well written and works because it is on radio. I don't think it would on TV.
RECOMMENDED
===========
Yes
Most Recent Customer Reviews
I'm just wild about Andy
Two seasonal episodes from the incomparable Andy Hamilton, who both writes and stars in this cynically amusing series set in Hell. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Constant Reader
Hilarious
My husband really enjoyed this. Recommended. Andy Hamilton plays the Devil as a world weary but appropriately mean spirited character.
Published 1 month ago by Ms. C. R. Stillman-lowe
Second half is the best
This CD contains 2 Christmas specials from 2010. I love Old Harry's Game, I think it's a work of genius, both clever and funny. Read more
Published 2 months ago by catsatcastle
Reasonable seasonable version of a comedy great
Seasonable edition of this long running darkly cynical comedy show - 2x 30 minute episodes that don't really hold together with any follow through and stand alone without needing... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. P. A. King
Jingle Hells
A nice variation on the normal "Old Harry's Game" set up, with plenty of laughs, in a fairly gentle way (only Radio 4 could create a cosy sitcom based in hell).
Published 3 months ago by Michael Mooney
Reasonable laughs from an old pro
Here we have 2 Christmas-themed episodes of Old Harry's Game from 2010. The first, the attempt to ban Christmas in the world of men, is very funny, but the second, where the devil... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. Day
Worth the price for Andy Hamilton's humour
If you've never heard any of Andy Hamilton's stories about Scumspawn and the devil, give yourself a treat with this taster of the 2010 Christmas specials then go out and buy the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. D. J. Carr
Great fun!
Andy Hamilton has been responsible for a range of comic writing and performing - from the brilliant Outnumbered to his appearances on The News Quiz. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Wynne Kelly
Satans winter break
Andy Parsons cockney geezer Satan needs a holiday, so his dilemma is whether he should ban Christmas in Hell. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Paul M
a well spent hour
this should be played after a big christmas dinner as chill out hour with a few titters and a couple of big belly laughs it would be time wellspent if this your frist time spent... Read more
Published 5 months ago by yer having alaffth
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