THE IT CROWD

The IT Crowd is a British sitcom on Channel 4. The IT Crowd is essentially a comic series based around a small group of support workers in an IT department of a large corporation going about their lives. The sitcom stars Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade and Katherine Parkinson as the protagonists. The television series piloted in 2006, written by Graham Linehan, who also wrote Black Books and Father Ted which are Channel 4 programmes as well. 

For my analysis of The IT Crowd I watched an episode called 'Friend Face' which involves the characters using social media to meet new people and catch up with old 'friends'. The graphics used for the title sequence are retro, old style graphics which I think shows the identity of the show as quirky, original and obviously computer related. 

The sitcom has three stereotypical protagonists, two types of geeky guys, one (named Maurice or 'Moss') seems very intelligent, socially awkward and smart. The other (named Roy) comes across as the type of nerd who still is well educated in the world of computers but also seems to be more interested in getting a girlfriend and being social although he seems repellent to all women. The woman, Jen, is the relationship manager of the company. However she has no previous experience with any technology, and only got the job offer because of multiple lies on her CV. They all appear desperate for a relationship. 

This episode showed me that this series contains lots of irony, extremely sarcastic comments and very awkward moments, for example; Jen attends a party with a woman she once vaguely knew from school that she had recently come into contact with via 'Friend Face' a social network. She wants to appear sophisticated so she brings Moss along as her pretend husband to make her seem more successful. They constantly lie throughout the party when suddenly Roy, who had been on a date with a emotionally unstable woman who comes across as being rather obsessed with him, bursts into the party claiming to the crazy woman that Jen is the woman he loves. Moss and Roy then get into a fake argument about who loves Jen more and then say they should take the fight outside. However when they do step outside they just flash a quick look at each other and run off down the street away from the party. 

I think the audience for this sitcom is teenagers and young adults as they use some adult comedy and more grown up story lines. Young kids or older pensioners wouldn't specifically want to watch computer related comedy as they do not use it as much as teenagers or young adults. 

My opinion of the show is that it is alright. The episode I watched only made me genuinely laugh about once. The use of canned laughter I find quite irritating as, to me, it says that you should be laughing but you aren't which I just find awkward if I'm honest. The canned laughter doesn't completely put me off as I don't mind the use of it in some circumstances. The IT Crowd is lighthearted and comedic but not my cup of tea. ALthough it does have elements of quirk that blend into the identity of Channel 4 itself. 

TOPIC SENTENCES FOR BULLET POINTS

Here are possible topic sentences for each bullet point for each advertisement that I have chosen to use in my assessment. 

Mavis: 

• Theatrical and extravagant representation

There is theatrical and extravagant representation in this advertisement, for example; the woman is in an exaggerated pose, pushing herself against a mirror as though she is lusting after herself. This suggests the fragrance is irresistible and overwhelmingly sexy.

• Glamour: evening dress, voluminous, rich fabric

The woman depicted in this advertisement is wearing a luxurious gown, draped over her shoulders. The heavy, seemingly expensive fabric represents glamour and wealth suggesting that buying this perfume will make you appear richer and more glamorous than you actually are. 

• Coloured: sensual and passionate

This advertisement uses deep reds and shades of black and darkened purple which are colours that tend to represent passion and sexiness. This adds a great amount towards the overall feel and perception of this advertisement.

• Art Nouveau: curves and rounded edges

The rounded edges on the words and the curves of both the woman's shape and on the mirror are typical of the Art Nouveau style. This makes the advertisement appear more feminine and appealing to a female market.

• Narcissistic: irresistible to herself, therefore irresistible to others 

The position of the woman looks as though she is attempting to imagine what a man would see whilst making love to her. Therefore, it is like she is making love to herself because she thinks she is so perfect and irresistible although she just appears to be self-obsessed. 

Charlie:

• Independence and confidence

The woman featured in this fragrance advertisement is great representation of confidence and independence as she is proudly striding across a public area, on her own showing she does not need other people she can do everything on her own. The perfume provides her with confidence and independence. 

• Professional: blazer and trousers

The smart clothing worn by the woman in this advertisement shows us that she is intelligent, classy and professional and therefore represents this perfume as one that makes you feel as though you possess these qualities more than you necessarily do. It gives off a view of a more business minded woman who knows what she is doing. 

• Self-Assured: doesn't need to wear revealing clothing to catch your eye.

Unlike many other fragrance advertisements this woman is not wearing revealing clothing to sell this perfume as sexy she is using her professionalism as her attractive feature in her appearance. She knows that dressing provocatively will not make her feel more sexy and she doesn't believe she needs that kind of wardrobe. This shows that you can be intelligent and sexy at the same time without wearing a certain type of clothes. 

• Charlie: unisex name

The unisex name 'Charlie' could imply that this product, when worn by women, is attractive to men. The feminine scents and elements within the fragrance will attract men without the woman wearing it needing to act flirty and dressing provocatively. 

• Hairstyle: her hair is down which shows a more playful side.

Although this woman is being portrayed as very professional and independent she wears her hair loose and flowing over her shoulders; this represents a more free and playful side of her personality, which shows that there are free and playful scents within the fragrance. 

Dior:

• Style: retro meets modern

This fragrance represents both retro, chic aspects of femininity as well as the more modern woman's flirty, cheeky elements. This appeals to a wider range of women; young to old, vintage to modern. This advertisement includes a constant mix of these two styles and flicks between them both during the advertisement.

• Attitude: youth and sass

The woman's attitude during the advertisement projects a vision of youth and freshness. She's always smiling or pulling a cheeky face to the camera. Her attitude is positive and she seems to be glowing with happiness and acts in a flirtatious, sassy way.  

• Freedom: dancing through the streets

This advertisement features the woman sashaying through the streets of St Tropez, she seems as though she has nowhere important to be or anyone important to get back to, she's free to roam around and do whatever she feels like. This represents scents that may be light, fruity or floral as these are commonly associated with freedom. 

• Attention: only girl in the whole advert

The woman in this advertisement is the only woman featured in the entire advertisement, this means that the fragrance will make the owner not only feel like the only girl in the world but also will be the only one who gets attention from any men. 

• Two-sided: both sexy (red and black outfit) and sweet (retro outfit)

This advertisement shows that it has two different sides; a sexier one and a sweet one. It does this by using different outfits, for example, the retro black beach outfit which is also paired with pastel colours and vintage accessories which is the cuter look as well as a black top and vivid red skirt which is paired with a red and black bar showing the more sexy and cheeky side of the fragrance. 

COMPARATIVE ASSIGNMENT

Introductory Sentences:

Mavis: 

Mavis features a painted woman with sensual colours, for example; red and black, to create the idea that this fragrance is both sexy and irresistible.

• Theatrical and extravagant representation
• Glamour: evening dress, voluminous, rich fabric
• Colours: sensual and passionate 
• Art Nouveau: curves and rounded edges
• Narcissistic: irresistible to herself, therefore irresistible to others 

Charlie:

Charlie, unlike my first choice, features a black and white 
photograph of a proud woman striding across the road creating the idea that this fragrance is confident and bold. 

• Independence and confidence 
• Professional: blazer and trousers
• Self-Assured: doesn't need to wear revealing clothing to catch your eye.
• Charlie: unisex name
• Hairstyle: her hair is down which shows a more playful side.

Dior Addict:

Dior Addict, unlike my other two choices, features a young, cheeky and flirty woman dancing around St Tropez. This gives the idea that this fragrance is fun, free, floral and flirty. 

• Style: retro meets modern
• Attitude: youth and sass
• Freedom and Location: dancing through the streets
• Attention: only girl in the whole advert
• Two-sided: both sexy (red and black outfit) and sweet (retro outfit)