Saxondale

I recently watched both seasons of Saxondale and remember thinking after completing series one that it was surprising that it got a second outing. I wasn't overly impressed with that first season at all, finding Steve Coogan's depiction of the central character too overdone, while his fake hair and beard offputtingly silly. So I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the second season was so good. Not just better by comparison but actually very funny and better written. It was immediately improved by Coogan dispatching with the wig and going for a more natural look. It made him look a lot younger than in the first season which maybe doesn't make sense but was much preferable.

The set-up centres on an ageing 70's ex-roadie called Tommy Saxondale who still believes he is still fighting the system but who in reality is now a subcontracting pest exterminator. The character is more sympathetic than is typical of Coogan. He's a little more self-aware and intentionally humorous than the likes of Alan Partridge, although he does still share many of the facets of that character such as an arrogance and self-importance. Like Coogan creations in general Tommy Saxondale is a well observed character with lots of specific traits that make him seem quite believable and not too cartoonish. There are some good side characters to enjoy too. Some of the best of those are there essentially to antagonise Saxondale, such as Vicky the woman who gives him his work details played very well by Morwenna Banks; she consistently gets the upper hand on him, outwitting him mercilessly in a hilariously passive aggressive manner. I also enjoyed his neighbour who cringingly tries to talk to him on his level before bringing up some minor complaint.

All-in-all, this has to be considered a success. It definitely improved in various ways by season two and I would even daresay it had legs for a third season also. It certainly has to be considered one of Coogan's best creations outside of Partridge.

Steve coogan is mainly known for being Allan Partridge- a character he and his brilliant team Armando Ianucci, Patrick Marber, Rebbecca Front and Doon McKickan developed over a period of ten years to perfection. This growth of the character plus the genius of mainly Marber as an actor were one key to the Partridge success. Saxondale is his first stand alone character to go through two complete series. Saxondale works surprisingly well. The ex roadie turned pest controller with an anger management problem is unlike Allan not a character you laugh at but you laugh with- in other words he is "funny but with dignity". A lot of the ideas are very original and Coogan is a master in creating expectations of what will happen next and then not doing it not unlike the late John Hughes. The first series is entertaining but not great. Hardly ever do you laugh out loudly but some of the gags stay with you and make you chuckle for quite a while. One of the reasons why series 1 doesn't quite deliver is that Coogan over acts Saxondale. The second series however is superior in essence. The timing of the gags and jokes is perfect, again the standard of writing is very high and Coogan is more restrained than in the first series which makes it much funnier, like the conversations with his nighbour when Saxondale deadpans every attempt at humour. Each show begins with a very funny anger management therapy session and also has an exchange between Saxondale and dimwit secretary Vicky played very well by Morwena Banks.

This series really needs more praise, I know Partridge is the Golden goose (and for good reason. But it's suprising how many people haven't seen or heard of this.

Coogan plays the character perfectly. The fact I met the real life Tommy when I was a bartender at a rock night, honestly I spent over an hour chatting to him just to see how many things he did like Tommy and it was endless entertainment (for me).

On my yearly DVD run through, so I've seen it all over 15 times, I just wish this had come out in "nineteen ninety nine" so I could of seen it more.

A must see for any Coogan fans or fans of genuinely good comedy!

Maybe you have to be a similar age to Tommy Saxondale to really appreciate a lot of the humour. Well, I am and Steve Coogan has created one of the most unique comic creations ever seen on TV.

Look out for the subtle use of tics and mannerisms that make Saxodale such a watchable character. And fantastic support from all.

Rasmus H. is just right as Tommy's assistant, basically playing the same character he portrays in "Lead Balloon". Ruth Jones is dead sexy and Morwenna Banks is a treasure.

This is a multi-dimensional comedy. Always varied and not just playing on the idea of an ageing "hippy" out of place in the modern world. Poor old Tommys' encounters with some squatters was pure comic brilliance.

I love it.

We all know him. The mildly intellectual ex-hippy who twists himself into knots with cliché upon tongue-in-cheek rock reference upon flipped round adage...

Yes it is set pieces. Eery episode has the secretary scene, the neighbour scene. and so forth.

but its really funny. steve coogan is an actor as well as a comedian, inhabiting the role with tics and grimaces.

Morenna Banks (rarely on screen at mo) has her chance to shine every week and Rasmus Hardikeris a brilliant newt-faced straight man.

worth a watch, especially mid-week when there's sod all else on TV!