Changing Ends

Changing ends is a 2023 British comedy for ITVX. It is a semi autobiographical series from comedian Alan Carr about growing up in Northampton during the 1980s, the son of a professional football manager. My mum was the one who told me to watch this as it was so good. OMG it was brilliant! The storyline was excellent I've not laughed that much, kind of sad in places. First episode was so good and continues through out. Oliver Savell is so perfect in playing a young Alan Carr he deserves award for his performance outstanding and incredible funny. In fact all the cast are good in playing their characters. Very well produced and directed. There don't do much comedies like there use to and changing ends is just so funny. You could watch them over and over again and would still be funny. To much gloom and doom on tv and very depressing stuff so it was nice to watch a light hearted very funny tv series. Changing ends consist of 1 series with 6 episodes and are going to make a 2nd series. Can't wait. If you like comedies then this a must watch it will certainly cheer you up. Best comedy I've seen in awhile. Don't go by the negative comments it's bloody fantastic. Sit back get comfy and get watching this very funny sitcom. It sure is a laugh 😊

Changing Ends is something of a nostalgic throwback on every level to a time when comedy was, well funny!

There have been many series set in an 80s childhood, and as I am the same age as Alan Carr I do enjoy this sort of thing. But this is funnier than Young Sheldon, perhaps less poignant but not without such moments.

The boy who plays young Alan steals the show however, he seems to be a genuine talent who might well go on to greater things. The rest of the cast, including Alan as his older self, are really just supporting actors. He hams it up a bit, just like the subject, but some scenes are almost tearful as well.

Of course there is an underlying theme of Alan fighting against, or maybe just shrugging off, prejudice, but mostly it is quite subtle, the script seems to assume intelligent viewers already understand what is going on, rather than having to spell it out to them as so many other series do these days.

Co-writer Simon Carlyle also writes 2 Doors Down, but this is his best yet. There isn't a high bar admittedly, but this is the best British comedy of 2023 so far.

There are two shows that this Alan Carr effort really remind me of.

This is a 1980s version of two 1970s classics. The Dudley based Grimleys that starred Amanda Holden, Brian Conley, James Bradshaw and the real star turn, Noddy Holder. Then there was the much too short lived and brilliant Cradle to Grave. Difficult to look past the tour de force that was Peter Kay, utter genius in C2G (ably abetted by the fantastic Lucy Speed).

Hopefully Changing ends gets a longer run than Cradle to Grave which was criminally short at 6 episodes.

We've obviously moved far enough away from the 1980s to be able to eulogise it in the way that Ashes to Ashes etc. Did for the 1970s.

Carr's personal intrusions are well timed and well written, particularly the Prince / George Michael gag (Too soon?)

There are little lines like "Touch my Blue Nun and you're out" which will resonate with anyone born late 1960s hitting the full force of 1980s UK naffness at the Beefeater with Prawn Cocktail and Black Forest Gateau.

The star of it all, Oliver Savell, does an excellent job portraying the young Carr and hopefully he will have the career he wants from this like Laurie Kynaston and James Bradshaw before him.

The soundtrack is excellent too. So all in all an excellent first series that doesn't drag or outstay its welcome. Here is to more...It would be good to take this to sixth form. So at least 3 more series please.

Even if you don't like Alan Carr, it's likely you will like this very funny, on point sitcom with the stand up comedian taking us through semi-autobiographical moments in his life.

We see young Alan on his first day at school, being unexpectedly put on the football team (hilarious) faking sickness to avoid an injection (which leads to awkward but very believable bonding with dad) and all manor of japes that keep the audience hooked.

Carr's relationship with his family and few friends are nicely explored without being heavy handed and the humour is kept at an even pace, carefully balanced with tender / low moments but not too many to descend into melodrama.

Co-written by Carr, this show knows how to keep your attention with ideal casting all round, but Oliver Savell as the young Alan deserves particular praise for his stand out, star making performance. It would have been very easy for him to fall into caricature but somehow Savell manages to blend Carr's friendly campness and mix it with the real fears of a young boy as he tries to navigate the impending, uncharted teen years without going over the top and keeping the comedy this side of believable and engaging.

Well done to everyone involved.

Now, when is the second season coming out?

Was really good, very funny. The young boy who plays young Alan was amazing you would really think it was Alan as a young boy. Quite emotional at times, sad getting picked on at school that you would try not to be yourself. But it's definitely a good watch. Takes you back to the 80s so quite nostalgic. The mum and dad were very good aswell. A very good cast and storylines. I really hope there will be another series. I binge watched it very quickly definitely would like to see more. Think it will be a big success. Alan playing himself in it too and being the voice over was also very good. Gets thumbs up for me for sure.