Episodes (Fri, 10pm, BBC2)
Coming from the Larry David and Ricky Gervais school of cringey, sharp, comedy-within-a-comedy and featuring a star playing a warped, exaggerated version of himself, a lot of people had high hopes for the first season of this. The always-reliable Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig play a husband and wife comedy writing team who moved to Hollywood to remake their hit sitcom for a US audience. They are instantly hamstrung by...
more Episodes (Fri, 10pm, BBC2)
Coming from the Larry David and Ricky Gervais school of cringey, sharp, comedy-within-a-comedy and featuring a star playing a warped, exaggerated version of himself, a lot of people had high hopes for the first season of this. The always-reliable Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig play a husband and wife comedy writing team who moved to Hollywood to remake their hit sitcom for a US audience. They are instantly hamstrung by the terrible mis-casting of loveable ‘Friends’ superstar Matt Le Blanc, or at least a deliciously egomaniacal iteration thereof, as their lead. The initial reaction was: nice idea, but why have they forgotten to write any jokes? That said, it got going throughout the run, and the final episode – where Greig’s character has a one-night stand with Le Blanc – has certainly set-up an awkward, darkly funny return as series two begins. Worth a look, even if just to see Joey Tribbiani as a dislikeable bully.
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