Hounds

OK - I'll admit it. I love good comedy. Which means I don't have many love affairs. Even British comedy has let me down over the past few years. But not as badly as Kiwi comedy ... UNTIL HOUNDS! This is comedy at its best, in my opinion. I watched every episode and enjoyed each one. It's quirky, original, clever and, most of all, funny. I can only hope that the makers get the NZ On Air funding to make another series. God knows NZOA backs some real stinkers. It's about time they back a winner.

Let me add that the acting was brilliant, the characters believable, the scripts tight and well executed. And, miracles of miracles, the comedic acting was not the usual over the top rubbish Kiwi audiences are used to. So the director deserves full credit as well. Bring on the second series. And if it's as good as the first, then keep them going.

I started watching this show because I'm a life-long Greyhound-aholic. While some of the "Hounds" are dogs, there are many more human hounds among the characters. Dog racing is a background for the development of these characters and the central group who become one of the oddest blended families on any sitcom. Not only is this series hilarious, it is surprisingly full of warm moments. Writing, acting, and production values are fine. I hope the show finds support for a second season. Perhaps the global audience will help that happen.

For those who lean toward the animal rights perspective that all racing is enslavement and exploitation, this isn't for you. For people who just love dogs, especially beautiful sighthounds, the Greyhounds are presented as valued living creatures, loved and treated well. If you welcome your dogs to your furniture, you will see your peers among the characters here.

Some of the themes are best left to mature audiences. There's drinking (including by a child), swearing, and a lot of talk about sex regarding legal cases (one character is a defense attorney). I mention this so no one thinks, "Oh, good, a show about dogs...must be OK for my kids."

This was a great find. Having heard nothing about this series, we discovered it one night by accident. And now, we are addicted.

A light-hearted, down-to-earth TV series with quirky characters who are thrown together from the first episode by Will's father dying and leaving his house to his son (and making him guardian to Lily), as well as his greyhound to Lily.

Will is a failing (and somewhat selfish) lawyer (Toby Sharpe) who thinks he knows it all - he has a girlfriend who is a ditsy 18 year old called Amber (Catherine Waller); Marty (Mick Innes), is an aging and alcoholic greyhound trainer; and Lily (Susana Tang), Will's sensible Asian half-sister - all living together under the same roof. We meet various other quirky characters throughout the series as well, including Guy Williams, as a rather eccentric 'fencing guru'.

The creators of this series are the creators of '7 Days' apparently, and there are many laugh- out-loud moments, some cringe-worthy (but funny) moments, and some sweet moments. Well-written, and shot (hand-held camera) as if we were there experiencing it all with these lovable characters.

Give this series a chance on TV3 - watch it, love it. We did and we do!