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Graham Linehan

BBC Sitcom Season: The Pilots

October 19, 2016 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Some of comedy’s hottest names have been busy working on new sitcom pilots for BBC iPlayer, airing in September, with the hope of these creative projects later being picked up for a television series.

First up is The Coopers Vs The Rest, a depiction of the turmoils of adopting within a modern day family, with its difficulties involving fitting in with other families, or getting along with other parents. This young family in particular has a very interesting dynamic, with mum Tess (played by Tanya Franks) and Frankie (Erin Kellyman) partaking in consistently sarcastic back and forth that has the warmness of love still beneath it. The dialogue is quick and often unexpected, with each character giving as good as they get, even little eleven-year-old Alisha.

Other pilots include Chris Fewtrell and Simon Crowther’s Home From Home, which follows the Hackett family as they move to their new lodge at Lake View Holiday Park. With Johnny Vegas playing the lead (father, Neil Hackett), supported by Joanna Page as wife, Fiona, this narrative is one of unspoken judgements and stupid faux pas, making for fraught and funny viewing. Next up is Julie Thacker Scully’s latest writing project, Our Ex Wife, which features Robert Webb’s trademark cutting and sarcastic narration throughout. Although a completely different concept to Peep Show, Webb’s idiosyncratic style of self-commentary still really works within the sitcom format, with the tensions between Jack (Webb), fiancé Sara (Melanie Lynskey) and Jack’s ex wife Hillary (Victoria Hamilton) providing relief from the gruesome slasher elements that punctuate the episode.

© BBC

Motherland

Co-written by Helen Linehan, Graham Linehan, Sharon Horgan and Holly Walsh, Motherland is a sitcom that is arguably concerned with the politics of parenthood rather than the essence of childcare itself. Every now and then there is something undeniably funny to be found from shocking or unexpected self-centeredness in human beings, and this feeling is epitomised in this pilot episode about ego-fuelled mothers who, understandably, want to rid themselves of responsibility whenever possible (and this is, of course, hardly ever possible at all).

From the opening scenes it is very much like a disaster movie, with working mother Julia (Anna Maxwell-Martin) frantically rushing to get her young children to school on time, only to realise it is half term anyway and she will have to take the day, and potentially the week, off work. Motherland is an excitingly stressful and busy watch, but Diane Morgan provides important relief from the tension, with her acerbic nonchalance ironically providing much of the drama.

We The Jury

We The Jury

We The Jury is the standout piece for me from this recent batch of sitcom pilots; written by James Acaster, it is reminiscent of his 2015 show Represent, which sees the comic share the ludicrous tales of a recent jury he claims to have taken part in (fictional, undoubtedly). This gradual development of an idea gives the programme a homemade, organic feel, therefore giving an audience the impression of far more depth to the narrative and the characters within it. Acaster has smartly captured his own comic voice within the script, without the need to be physically present (all bar a few unexpected seconds anyway). Visually, We The Jury is bright and snappy, reflecting the excitable energy of the characters, which, somewhat surprisingly, doesn’t grate. There are many interesting characters that Acaster has not had time to establish within a pilot episode alone, from Sophie Thompson who plays Jen 1 to Diane Morgan’s laid back Olivia, proving that this concept could easily develop into a series without any particular risk of stagnancy.

MOTHERLAND HAS ALREADY BEEN COMMISSIONED FOR A SERIES FOR BBC2

Posted in: Comedians, Television Shows Tagged: BBC, Diane Morgan, Graham Linehan, Helen Linehan, Home From Home, James Acaster, Johnny Vegas, Motherland, Our Ex Wife, Robert Webb, Sharon Horgan, Tanya Franks, The Coopers Vs The Rest, We The Jury

TV Review: Count Arthur Strong, Series 2

February 28, 2015 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

The beginning of a new year saw the return of a much-loved sitcom to our screens: Count Arthur Strong, a television adaptation of Steve Delaney’s long-running radio show. Despite only watching a few episodes of series one, I really did enjoy watching the entirety of it this time round.

What appeals to me about this programme is that there is always an unexpected twist to the plot of each episode, which makes it entertaining viewing despite following the seemingly well-trodden path of the popular sitcom. The storylines are never too airy or ridiculous because the show has a continuous plot, with ideas carried on throughout the series, which seems to give the whole programme a reason for existing; the stories never become entirely redundant.

With Delaney having teamed up with one of my favourite comedy writers, Graham Linehan, this show was probably destined to have a hilarious script. They skilfully build the hilarity and stupidity of the situations Michael and Arthur get themselves into, but never rely on laughs that are that bit too easy. These writers have proved that they’d rather go the long way round, and have created a more effective comedy as a result.

There have been criticisms of Count Arthur Strong and I hadn’t fully invested in it from the beginning so was anticipating that I would not enjoy this series. However, my doubts were unfounded because I laughed throughout every single episode, because of Arthur’s lines like “all work and no play makes Jack… and Jill went up the hill…” and his overall persona. I felt no hint of cynicism at all.

This programme is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of comedy thanks to Steve Delaney and Rory Kinnear’s wonderful on-screen relationship and a fantastic script. I look forward to a third series if and when it comes.

Posted in: Comedians, Television Shows Tagged: Count Arthur Strong, Graham Linehan, Rory Kinnear, Sitcom, Steve Delaney

Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, Revisited: S1E6, The Creeping Moss From The Shores Of Shuggoth

September 8, 2014 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Episode: The Creeping Moss From The Shores Of Shuggoth

Air Date: 3 March 2004

Summary: Another mist has appeared over Darkplace but this time, it’s green! On this occasion, it gets through the air vents and the result is a young woman named Linda getting infected and turning into cosmic broccoli (of course). Unfortunately for Sanchez, he falls in love with Linda, who is now terminally ill, and this even results in him contracting the broccoli disease (much like an STD) and has to have emergency surgery. This episode is not only a commentary on the issues of AIDs in the world, but is also a story of love and loss.

broccoli

What Else? More new music is played in this episode such as Matt Berry’s song: One Track Lover which features some wonderful rapping from Thornton Reed. Somehow, the tapes that contained a part of the programme have been destroyed (under mysterious circumstances) which means that these must be explained through the use of photos of the events and a commentary from Dagless. There is also a brilliant and entirely not un-realistic fight scene between Dag and Sanchez.

Quote of the Episode:

Thornton Reed: “When I heard my wife died, I could barely finish my lunch.”

Familiar Faces: Julian Barratt appears for a third and final time as the priest. We also see Graham Linehan as a member of hospital staff and Kim Noble as a barman (as well as his usual role of Doctor Jim).

THE END:

So, that is the end of my revisit to Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace. I hope you enjoyed reading about them and maybe hearing about them for the first time (or just remembering how much you loved the show in the first place!).

THE REVISITED SERIES

Posted in: Revisited Tagged: Alice Lowe, British Comedy, Comedy, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Graham Linehan, Julian Barratt, Kim Noble, Matt Berry, Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade, Sitcom

Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, Revisited: S1E5, Scotch Mist

September 1, 2014 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Episode: Scotch Mist

Air Date: 26 February 2004

Summary: This episode really sums up what Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is about. It is dark and mysterious, but most importantly: radical. A mysterious mist has been looming over Darkplace and claiming various victims who happen to be wondering around outside. Doctor Rick Dagless knows something about the mist: it is, in fact, Scotch Mist. Dag, Liz and Sanchez decide to go outside into the cold to try and find out more about why the Scotch Mist is there, armed with miniature handheld fans to keep the mist away. Meanwhile, someone has given out Thornton Reed’s number as a massage parlour and it is causing him considerable distress…

Scotch Mist

What Else? There is some new music in this episode which is interesting for us to hear but we also receive some life lessons. For example, we learn that you should never buy cheap batteries from a dodgy market stall because your handheld fan won’t work for very long at all. Another lesson we are taught is that you should never be racist (which apparently, not a lot of people know). This is because Rick Dagless has said many racist things about the Scots when he spent the night in Glasgow: he had to learn the hard way.

Quote of the Episode:

Rick Dagless: “I ran. Ran like my life depended on it. Which it did.”

Familiar Faces: Kim Noble is featured a lot in this episode as Doctor Jim as he is one of the first victims of the Scotch Mist.

THE REVISITED SERIES

Posted in: Revisited Tagged: Alice Lowe, British Comedy, Comedy, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Graham Linehan, Matt Berry, Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade, Sitcom

Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, Revisited: S1E3, Skipper The Eyechild

August 18, 2014 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Episode: S1E3, Skipper The Eyechild

Air Date: 12 February 2004

Summary: This episode is allegedly based on a true story. A giant eye impregnates one of the patients at Darkplace which results in the birth of a mutant eye-child. Rick Dagless MD has emotional wounds regarding his dead son, Skipper, (who was born half grasshopper) which leads him to steal the baby eye and hide him from everyone at the hospital. He also calls the new child Skipper in hope of filling the hole in his life that was left by his son when he died. Unfortunately, Rick is eventually backed into a corner and this results in him being bitten on the hand by the mutant eye and he panics…

skipper

What Else? This instalment of Darkplace is, yet again, packed full with top-of-the-range special effects. There are some authentic-looking wires to hold a helicopter in the sky and very realistic makeup, such as fake blood (it definitely doesn’t look like Ketchup at all). We get insight into Sanchez and Dagless’ special handshake and also see how it only takes mere seconds for Liz to ruin her makeup with tears after an insult, which isn’t particularly convenient for the busy woman.

Quote of the Episode:

Dean Learner: “I haven’t acted since. Some would say I didn’t act during, but er, those would be unkind people. I did my best.”

Familiar Faces: Graham Linehan as a hospital security guard.

THE REVISITED SERIES

Posted in: Revisited Tagged: Alice Lowe, British Comedy, Comedy, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Graham Linehan, Matt Berry, Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade

TV Review: The Walshes

April 7, 2014 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

The Walshes was a recent three-part sitcom about a dysfunctional yet loveable Irish family.

I was initially drawn to thThe Walshesis series because it was co-written by Graham Linehan, who is the absolute genius that brought us The IT Crowd. and Father Ted. The cast is made up of Diet of Worms: a comedy group that I had never previously heard of but will be looking into in the future. I especially liked Shane Langan, who plays Graham, as he was absolutely adorable and reminded me of a startled, timid sheep. I loved him from the beginning. I also thought Carmel, played by Phillipa Dunne, was very funny and Ciara (Amy Stephenson) was believable and generally sweet.

The fact it was only three episodes long was interesting because I feel any longer than that and it may have begun to slip into regular-sitcom-mode which is generally the point where I stop watching. So, due to the fact that The Walshes was only a mini-series, I found a lot more enjoyment in it: but maybe that’s because I lose interest in things quite easily.

I don’t watch Mrs Brown’s Boys (I don’t find it funny in the slightest) but wasn’t particularly reminded of it whilst viewing The Walshes despite there being comparisons drawn between them: I think this is a lazy conclusion to make. Sure, they are both Irish-family-sitcoms, but The Walshes was so much more.

Overall, I’m interested to see how this show will develop in the future as I found it very charming and heartwarming. I also hope Linehan will be writing some new stuff as I really do miss The It Crowd and need a replacement for it.

Posted in: Television Shows Tagged: Comedy, Diet of Worms, Graham Linehan, Sitcom, The Walshes

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