Pulling

I finally got to see the first two episodes, having seen the buzz in the press and heard about it for ages. It did not disappoint.

There were times in each episode when I roared with laughter. The break-up scene in episode one is so funny, and when Donna (played brilliantly by Sharon Horgan) is trying to bluff her way through a meeting in her new job in episode two I felt like my sides were literally splitting.

So dark at times it's harrowing, yet flat out outrageous and subtly nuanced at times too. This series is definitely cult classic material. I know I'll watch the DVD over and over.

I watched it years ago and several times since. Always makes me laugh but not slap stick it's clever and you have to have a dry sense of humour.

The writing and cast are brilliant and some sequences will leave you howling and gasping for air! In particular, Tanya Franks, as the alcoholic, completely inappropriate teacher, steals every single frame that's she in! Why she hasn't been invited to play in more American shows is a complete mystery. She's one of the best comedic actresses on the screen.

Splendidly black and acerbic, 'Pulling' is like a middle-class 'Shameless', which means that equally bad behaviour is accompanied by lashings of shame and self-loathing. After a slow-ish first episode, the series really gets going, full of outrageously brilliant lines and painful situations. The acting is good, and the characters superbly created - they're close to cliché, but one key step removed - you always believe they're really living this life. And that it's a life not so dissimilar from that lived by many real people is what gives the comedy its savage edge; it's certainly the funniest thing I've seen this year.

The true measure of a great comedy is it's ability to stay in your mind long after the it has finished. Pulling has done just that. The wonderful characterizations of the 3 main female roles were beautifully written and acted and the comedy situations were nicely original. The acting in Pulling is never over-played and the scenes retain a hint of realism which pulls the viewer closer to the show and makes the cringing quality of the comedy much funnier. Along with Lead Balloon and Man Stroke Woman, BBC Three's current comedy output has been exceptional considering some of the other offerings (Titty Titty Bang Bang). I'd give pulling 10/10 and hopefully there'll be a second series well on the way.