Funny Woman

What a treat this show turned out to be. Gemma Arturton in the lead was quite stupendous, consistently bringing every emotion to every scene - she ought to be right up there when the tv awards are handed out. Indeed, the whole cast are superb and so believable. Feel-good, yes, but I reckon it would be almost impossible not to be pulled in every emotional direction as this programme just gets better and better as it goes on. It would be great if a sequel came along, however, somehow it could just as well stay as a one-off. Finally, it should be thought of as a virtually unique tour-de-force and possibly one of Sky's ever dramas.

Based on the book by Nick Hornby Funny Woman start's with a Blackpool beauty queen, who has her future mapped out for her. Bored in her Blackpool rock making factory, destined to marry the local butcher. She gives it all up to head south to London in search of fame and fortune.

As always this does not go to plan wannabe comedian actress Barbara Parker aka Sophie Straw. Works her way through various mundane job's in between auditions before getting her break in a TV situation comedy written and staring by oxbridge performers who fail to grasp her northern humour.

Set in the swinging sixties Funny Woman is a delightful nostalgic trip through the period of early television and how women were faced prejudices to be seen as funny in what was a man's world. 8/10.

They've created the perfect, feel-good comedy drama with this. Everything about this just works. I can't think of anything at all which could make it any better. It's beautifully written, beautifully photographed and its optimism just makes you feel happy. You can't help but smile when you watch this.

In some ways it has a similar feel to the American show, MRS MAISEL but because the characters are more normal it's a little more relatable. It's instantly engaging and you yourself are fully on board with Sophie's journey. Gemma Arterton was born to play this role.... and Rupert Everett is hilarious.

Had assumed this was going to be a pretty predictable romcom or such given the trailers but it actually turned out to be a really nice heartfelt story of rags to riches with unexpected comic smarts from Arterton, who knew she could do comedy. There's ups and downs to her fortune along the way so not all rise and rise. It's not just Arterton who does well though, the whole cast are great, Everett, Batemen, Davies and Ali all contribute to a very enjoyable way to spend an evening. Unclear if another season is on the cards but I'd say there's legs in the characters but they'd need another story arc. Fingers crossed.

I largely enjoyed Funny Woman but I do understand the negative reviews. The problem, IMO, is the show is about a woman in comedy in the 1960s and not actually a comedy.

Gemma Arterton plays Barbara Parker, an attractive woman who learned to love comedy from her father. The show is about Barbara rebelling against the stereotypes associated with being an attractive woman and wanting to make her own way.

When it sticks to that premise, it's fantastic. We see Barbara fighting to be comedic when everyone else just wants to see her assets. Her relationship with her father is an absolute treat.

Another great part of the show is the relationship with her friends. Women sticking together instead of stabbing each other in the back.

It's great as the show runner, writers, and other lead slowly understand she's funny, that audiences laugh at her. Is she actually funny to modern viewers? Not really but considering Lucille Ball is the standard she measures herself against, you get what she's trying to do.

Where it fails is when it tries to be comedy, particularly the slapstick scenes they throw in every episode that are just totally out of place. It's not a comedy! Even the writers seem confused by this, let alone the viewers.

This would be one of my favorites if they stuck to the premise instead of trying to make it comedic. It's a drama and a darned good one.