Definitely gameface. I love Roisin. She is definitely the master of funny faces and good timing. Unfortunately a bit too little Damien time, that was better in Crashing. But I did not like it the whole time the way Anthony and Lulu have treated Kate.
But I already know my answer deep down....
Considering there have been comparisons between Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Roisin Conaty as female writers, it would be easy to look for similarities between Crashing and GameFace. But, I found them to be very different 'experiences', despite the fact that the same adjectives could be used to describe them - hilarious, quirky, fresh, layered, tonal, suspenseful.. and in both Damien was the 'it's complicated' 'will they won't they' romantic love interest of the female lead all the way through... and the similarities between Lulu and Marcella - both quite chaotic, messy life on top, more emotionally messy underneath. Actually this is really hard, I love them both. But they feel tonally different to watch.. and Damien's characters were different in both. In Crashing Anthony wasn't entirely fair to fiancee Kate, and didn't handle the whole love triangle thing in the right way. it was less easy to empathise with him perhaps, than it is to empathise with Jon the ever patient driving instructor. Or perhaps it is less comfortable to invest in a growing relationship when there is already an active relationship going on (Anthony and Kate). Both are amazing comedies, with all the drama too. But GameFace has this tragicomic balance which is more of a rollercoaster had has you more invested, mainly because of all that is revealed about Marcella's life and her heartbreak. There are really cool elements to both, but in GameFace I so loved the flashbacks and flashforwards, things like the credits in the intros and outros, the soundtrack..
GameFace. No contest for me. Crashing was just not my type of humor and the main characters were morally bankrupt. I didn't really care about them. It was okay but it just didn't really grab me.
I feel like Marcella and Jon are both likable and that's important for me. Characters can be severely flawed but need to have redeeming qualities.
I also liked the flashbacks and the more artful aspects of GameFace.
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"I should have left a clue. Like, I don't know, locking him in a cellar and tying him to a fucking radiator!"
I'm sure I'll be in a minority here but Crashing for me!
I think it's probably that Crashing felt more like an ensemble piece, although you could argue for there being "main" and "minor" characters. Melanie was hilarious, I loved the developing relationship between Sam and Fred, Jessica and Will were perfect supporting roles. Some of the set pieces were absolute stand outs (Lulu trying to get out of the onesie and then Anthony appearing topless in the office with her in his t-shirt springs immediately to mind). I experienced far more laugh out loud moments with Crashing than with Gameface. Everybody's humour works differently, I guess mine just swayed the opposite way to most of you with these two shows!
That's good if there are different opinions. I think so far we are not apart. I also think that in Crashing the other characters were more interesting and it happens more (there were also 6 episodes from Crashing?). And indeed, there were a lot of very funny scenes. Nevertheless, the decision was easy for me, because I have decided in this case for sympathy.
I was torn, but 'Crashing' only just won out! Mainly because of more Damien and more characters with their own plot lines - they developed over the series. However that also worked against 'Crashing' as I found I really disliked Kate and had to keep reminding myself it was just a tv programme - I think it was as much the actress as the role, to be honest.
I found more to appreciate in 'GameFace' and laughed out loud a lot. Partly because I could relate to certain events in Marcella's life.
I would love to see a second series of both but feel there is more chance with 'GameFace' and, unfortunately, only a very slight chance with 'Crashing'.
As domino said there seem to have been a lot of comparisons between Roisin Conaty and Phoebe W-B - but really the only similarity I can see is that they are both women, and they are both talented and funny! But which did I pefer as a Damien comedy? Hmmmm....
(Gameface and Fleabag are probably more comparable as they are both debut tv shows, and also both revolve mainly around one central character. It is totally irrelevant as Damien isn't in Fleabag - but it is actually one of the absolutely best pieces of tv that I've ever watched!!!)
Crashing was obviously a deliberate attempt to move away from the Fleabag format and have a mix of characters and relationships, and multiple plot-lines. It was proper funny and quite clever, but I must admit that it took a long time for me to warm to any of the characters and really care what happened to them.....and even then tbh I only really cared about Sam and Fred. Anthony, Kate and Lulu all kind of deserved each other.....
Gameface possibly does not have the same complexity. But I found the characters were generally more likeable and their circumstances more relateable. I'm sure that every woman can see something of themselves in Marcella....but I'm not sure I can recognise much of myself in any of the characters in Crashing. It's not essential to be able to relate to a character to enjoy a comedy, but it certainly helps.
Both made me laugh...but Crashing was really quite ascerbic and I cringed as much as I laughed. It often felt like it was trying a bit too hard to be edgy. Whereas Gameface was chock full of easy laughs.....which often sprung from nowhere. It never tried too hard, and it never really felt like the joke was at anybody's expense.
The bottom line - from a 'Damien comedy' point of view: I much prefer Jon to Anthony - he seems like the good guy, but is maybe a little bit....different...and unpredictable and certainly not boring....and I feel he's a bit of a mystery. i'd really like to find out more about Jon and probably see him and Marcella finally get it together (in series 5 maybe? ) whereas, much as I'd like to see a second series of Crashing, I'm not sure I'm much bothered what ultimately happens to Anthony.
Maghat, good point about Crashing being more of an ensemble piece, I am tempted to agree. Nearly all the characters were vivid, and it was perhaps easier to love all the characters equally in it for that reason. Thank you for reminding us of those amazing scenes! Utterly love Crashing and all the characters.
But I agree with you too Sana about being able to sympathise / empathise. with characters in GameFace.
Random Jane, I felt the characters in Crashing had redeeming features too.. but know what you mean. Perhaps it is more easy to invest in Marcella and Jon's relationship because neither was cheating on a long term relationship? (even though there was Simon.. and broken arm lady?)
Fifi, I completely agree about the relatability (?) of characters in Gameface.. it is very accessible and easy to engage with for that reason. The joke not being at anyone's expense is an important point I feel.
Just written this in my review, so I'll just quote it here:
"there are plenty of tragic themes in Marcella’s life, the return of her now married ex, massive debt and a struggling career, her bother Billy’s drug addiction and her self-destructive “carbs, fags and wine” coping mechanisms. All are explored with both bright humour and tenderness – which means you never feel tricked or guilty for dissolving into side-splitting laughter at anyone’s expense, and never feel confused by being moved to tears simultaneously."
For me it is the quintessential warmth and tenderness of Gameface.. despite the really quite dark themes, the often totally raucous humour, it sparkles and feels like it is wrapping you in a warm blanket. It is a lovely watch.
I loved crashing more as Damien was almost in every scene sometimes I hated him like when he disregarded lulu feelings most times I loved him.but saw through Kate right away.I loved all the relationship amoun g the other characters except the hairy dude
Hi swrtd833, or would it be ok to call you Debbie?
Thank you for voting in the poll - the gap between Crashing and GameFace is closing! Yes Damien certainly had more on screen time in Crashing, always a plus point for us Molonians . But, perhaps that makes GameFace the more remarkable - less screen time but still a fave for many? Just putting that out there.
I really should have given a 'love both equally' option in this poll.
Having been thoroughly snowed in this week, I've been re, re, re, re, re, re, re, re, re, re, re, (you get the idea) re-watching Crashing and GameFace and really quite enjoying it Very much appreciating the writing of both and the humour. Not forgetting Damien as Antony and Jon. it is such a treat to see our fave actor in these quality comedies! Both have been billed (ish) under the umbrella of 'sitcom', which theoretically means situation comedy, which theoretically they both are. But they are also both much more!
and good timing. Unfortunately a bit too little Damien time, that was better in Crashing. But I did not like it the whole time the way Anthony and Lulu have treated Kate. 
) whereas, much as I'd like to see a second series of Crashing, I'm not sure I'm much bothered what ultimately happens to Anthony.
Thank you for reminding us of those amazing scenes! Utterly love Crashing and all the characters. 
)
