The Cafe

The successful execution of the 'light touch' in comedy requires intelligence, confidence, and talent. 'Well done you' to all involved.

I would love to see more shows like this one! I don't want to say much about the characters and what this series is about. The story focuses on a little cafè at the sea somewhere near Bristol. Not much happens and that is what I like about it - it is simple. The characters are likable and you want to know what will happen to them. The little seaside town is idyllic, the plot can be summarized quickly, uneventful but not in a negative way, not boring. This is nice and easy entertainment. After having gotten used to / bored with US TV shows that use a lot of profanity, sex scenes and violence to attract viewers, I really enjoyed how ordinary and simple this show is and at the same time amusing. It proves that you don't need a lot of action to entertain an audience - a story about the customers and owners of a cafè and their little problems / love interests can be enough. I'm really looking forward to the next episodes and I hope that I will be able to hear them say "Laters!" (do people really say that?) for at least another season.

Appreciating The Cafe requires the watcher to slow to the pace of an English Seaside, what a delightful escape. The characters are gentle no hacked off limbs, no tawdry affairs. I love the subtle development of each character, no the jokes are not always belly laughs but then that's what makes it real - bad jokes bind the characters just as they do in real life. There is the same conspiratorial feel to that shared knowledge and that creates a bond. There is also an unspoken acceptance of each person's quirky behaviour that shows us, the viewer, that these people care about each other and that it's a privilege for us to be sharing it. I thought the series charming and absolutely addictive. I only hope more people 'get it' so that we can have series 2 - otherwise l will be left watching this series over and over - and l will !

Perhaps it is that US programming spends its dollars chasing the spending powers of 20 to 35 year-olds that we miss the excellence of actors over a certain age. These young writers understand that older actors have impact. The program explores the subtleties of everyday life, examining character rather than product placement. The young writers are wise beyond their age. Having been raised in a small town, where everyone knew everyone's business, i can relate to the "smallneaa" of the milieu. It may be my age, 58, which draws me into the program, but my own child finds the program compelling without being able to articulate the reason, other than it makes him smile. I cannot think of a better recommendation.

I may disqualify myself by having been brought up in an English seaside town, but The Cafe is one of the two shows on TV at the moment I would be mortified if I had missed, (the other is the Norwegian crime series The Killing on BBC 4) If you do need special qualifications to appreciate The Cafe, then I am very glad I have them. The story is driven by the characters, the characters are true to nature, the dialogue is authentic, the comedy understated. The production has all the right values. At last we are having some authentic new comedy on TV. Thanks to Sky for standing up and putting their weight behind a project that must have been way out on a limb.