This Country

I tend to find I don't laugh out loud when I'm watching comedy's on my own but I was crying with laughter sat by myself through every episode and for that I just had to give it a ten. The series writers brilliantly capture a specific region of the country with characters very unlike myself, and yet I still found the dialogue really observant. The humour was often that great mix of being silly yet perceptive. I really like how understated the settings and story lines where it really brought out the strength of the writing and performances. I also thought the structure of each episode was really strong as each one came to a satisfying conclusion often with an emerging reference to something that was said or done at the start and through out there was never a line or comic moment wasted!

Fans of 'The Office', 'People Just Do Nothing' and 'Summer Heights High' will recognise the mockumentary format and enjoy the unapologetic realism of Charlie and Daisy May Cooper's 'This Country'.

We follow the lives of Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe, two cousins living in a rural Cotswolds village. Much of the show's humour centres on the love/hate relationship between the cousins (played by real-life siblings and show creators, Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper), who typically squabble over the most seemingly insignificant things; anything from the spelling of 'Justice' to who gets what space in the oven. Despite their differences, the two are fiercely loyal to one another, and this is exemplified by the way they often band together against the trappings of their pastoral locale.

Across the episodes, we are introduced to a host of colourful characters; from a terrifying neighbour with a licence to ink, Mandy, to the unfailingly patient locale vicar, Reverend Seaton, who does his best to keep the wayward cousins on the straight and narrow. It's a real microcosm of rural life that attempts to add more depth to the cultural stereotypes put forward by the likes of 'The Vicar of Dibley'.

For though there are laughs aplenty throughout the show, there are also subtle and often heartbreaking moments that resonate long after the laughter stops. Kerry's unrequited affection for her father, for instance, or Kurtan's foiled romantic endeavours. These are characters we grow to love and feel sorry for, which, in a six-episode run is something of a feat for a mainstream writing debut.

Quite what the future holds for this series is anyone's guess. I think there are more stories to tell and more characters to meet. One thing is for certain, however: Daisy May and Charlie Cooper have embroidered themselves into the rich tapestry of British comedy, and have proved to be formidable writers and actors with lots more to offer.

Watch the show by any means necessary.

You either love it or hate it depending on your sense of humour but for me personally this is the funniest thing I have ever seen

This Country is superb, from its close nit family cast to its true to life episode content.

Kerry and Kurtan are a superb duo who tell a typical story of living in the Cotwolds, their issues are typical things which others may encounter living their ordinary lives in a rural community.

I hope there is a second season of this comedy to continue the stories.

Paul who plays the vicar/priest is superb and really helps make the stories believable.

All in all a very easy watch, some swear words but it adds weight to certain situations.

10 out of 10

Max

Quite simply one of the funniest programs ever. A beautiful comedy in the same vein as The Detectorists. Appears to be subtle, then you realise you've been hit with a seven pound sledgehammer. Utterly utterly brilliant.