Newark, Newark

I'm not sure where the poor reviews are coming from, because this is fantastic viewing. Hilarious, and at times painfully cringey - in the best possible way.

Hebburn meets Young Offenders in tone, with more than a whiff of Shameless.

Good cast, they never introduce the characters and rush to some forces and some what too extreme story line, I sense the pilot had two added and then pulled. Story line is about single mum with a funny non supportive mother, who still wants her to get back with the ex, I didn't love it to be fair and a shame it was not funnier. That said is I think the one star rating is harsh and would possible try it ..... you may disagree.

The UK TV channel "Gold" has, in the last decade, been shifting a little bit from repeating classic shows, to producing some of their own. "Newark, Newark" is perhaps their biggest attempt at a hit series yet. Admittedly three episodes isn't much to get stuck into, but the securing of Morgana Robinson and Mathew Horne as two of the stars shows a certain commitment. The result is . . . Not awful, but I can't say I'm overly enthused at the prospect of anymore.

Recently divorced, Maxine (Morgana Robinson) balances her job running a chip shop, whilst taking care of her dramatic teenage son Leslie (Jai Hollis). Her ex-husband Terry (Mathew Horne) is desperate for the relationship to rekindle and is conspiring with Maxine's mum Pauline (Beverley Callard) to get back with her.

I like Morgana Robinson a lot, she's contributed enormously to "House of Fools" and is a great guest star in "Inside Number 9" and "Toast of Hollywood". I don't think she's particularly suited to this character though, as dowdy, middle aged mother isn't necessarily what I think of, when I think of her. The accent is, to my ear - living in the Midlands but not specifically Newark - sometimes a bit much, but it's not entirely false.

I found the first episode, revolving around Maxine's birthday to be the best of the three and laughed a few times in that one, unfortunately it wasn't maintained into the second and third episodes and by the end I was reasonably relieved to discover that there were only three episodes of the series.

Honestly, I can't imagine I'll have any recollection of this at all in three months as it's neither good, nor awful enough to have made much of an impression.

For what it is I absolutely enjoyed it for three episodes a laugh every other minute and Morgana Robinson is class as usual and Beverly callard back in comedy since two pints of lager and a packet of crisps.

Hilarious, weird and different. Why are there only 3 episodes? So many great characters and a flawless performance from Morgana Robinson. We need more insane comedies like this.