Starlings

I had high expectations for Starlings, coming from the production company baby cow started by Steve Coogan and Henry Normal, who have been responsible for some of my favourite TV shows, The mighty boosh, Gavin and Stacey and of course Alan Partridge, but Starlings is just boring. It's a bit like coronation street but with a higher budget. The characters are dull, it reminds me of sitting in my own families home but with less laughs. I know it's only on episode 1 but surely for a pilot it should grab my attention. It's painful to watch nothing much happens just boring characters saying boring things, "who wants a brew", "did you sleep well", etc. I've no idea how anyone can think this is entertaining to watch a family just going about there daily business, I'm sure as the series progresses we will see different characters emerge and I hope they are more interesting than the ones we see in the first episode.

I find it hard to believe that myself and the previous reviewer are talking about the same series! "Starlings" is a wonderful family drama for Sunday evenings. I say 'drama' because it is more a drama series than comedy - the humour is subtle and incidental, gently complementing each storyline. It is not slapstick, outrageous or 'in your face', which would ruin the nature of the programme and compromise its credibility. The family is realistic, we can empathise with each character - all thoughtfully created and portrayed, blending well. The cast is superb, it was especially pleasing to see Brendan Coyle and John Dalgleish teamed again since their Lark Rise To Candleford days. Each episode features a specific storyline with the family's ongoing undercurrents woven in, bringing continuity and credence. We witness good times, bad times, emotional highs and lows, and accompany the family through their various incidents and mishaps during day-to-day life. A warm, gently humorous portrayal of family life, a real 'feel good' drama. Well done, Sky 1!

Starlings is still my go-to series for a pick-me-up. I have been an avid Brendan Coyle fan for years, enjoying his broad range of acting skills, but I believe his role here as Terry Starling is my favorite. Everything else about the show is perfect as well--the writing, casting, acting, and understated humor. Anyone of any age can enjoy it as there is nothing too vulgar, which seems to be rare these days. The theme is genuine affection and humor in this diverse extended family, without being overly sentimental. This series ended far too soon for whatever unknown reason. There should have at least been a reunion of some sort.

With the exception of the needlessly vindictive Bell, all the characters are likable from the very first scene. Everyone will have their own favourites, for me - Gravy, Fergie & Loz. The relationship between the latter two (played by the writers) is sweet and builds nicely. They're a brilliant odd couple. I was disappointed when they were separated for one episode & sometimes Gravy has been almost forgotten. (Always a danger with a large cast.) The humour is gentle, sometimes original, and there is a lot of warmth. There are a couple of weak episodes, but as a whole the series is highly enjoyable and you'll want to spend time with this family.

I started to watch this as it had a good main cast and seemed a good storyline. BUT. How can you say it is a story of a working class family. Only one member of the family actually works and they seem, in a time of financial hardship, to be able to support around 6 other people who not only don't work in a job but, apart from mother, do no work at all around the house. How Dad, who apparently only had 3 jobs (at minimum earning power) in a month pays mortgage, council tax, gas, electric, water and food bills is beyond me. Where has Gravy got all the money to buy expensive fish, reptiles etc and expensive gaming equipment while being waited on hand and foot by mother. I like fantasy and nice family Sunday viewing with the rest of them but as this is supposed to be taking place in England not Westeros I do expect some grounding in reality.