Man Like Mobeen

Great programme, brings up real issues but keeps it as comedic as possible while doing so. Really enjoyed this.

(Series 1-3)

It's difficult to think of a sitcom that hits the heights of Man Like Mobeen. I watched one episode, in full, 3 times in a row the first time I saw it because I missed a large chunk of the episode through fits of laughter.

It is inconsistent, though. Some episodes feel a little laboured, and perhaps focus on the plot to a point where the jokes become secondary. At it's lows, the scenarios can feel a bit contrived.

The characters & casting are brilliant. Eight, Nate, and Mobeen are played to perfection. Officer Harper too. Uncle Shady is a delightfully oddball character. Special mention to the girl who plays Aqsa, who can crack me up with her facial expressions alone.

All in all, it's worth a watch. Some of it is *incredibly* funny and stands up to repeat watching. Hope there'll be another series.

The negative reviews probably explain themselves.

One states that the show starts off great but the reviewer quite dislikes the third series. Even though the examples of why they liked the preceding episodes actually took place in the third series. This particular reviewer had also suggested "subtitles on is vital". I mean c'mon! Sorry - I mean, come on.

One review used the word "tripe" which makes it very difficult not to stereotype.

Another writer calls on "white Liberal guilt" which doesn't particularly lay the groundwork for an objective, unbiased review. Especially when there are no other reasons for disliking it.

One more with the word "tripe", and not much else there.

The last one to date is my favourite. All caps except the last three words, which is just "terrible" repeated. They also use the extremely successful comedian and theatre actor Lenny Henry as an example of what they consider poor. There's a lot to dissect with this review, in terms of who this person might be, why they would want to write a review like this, why are they are so angry, but most importantly - why on earth would they watch a programme so clearly not commissioned for them in the first place.

Personally, I very much have enjoyed it so far. The characters are fun and engaging. The plot interesting enough. The underpinning racial, ideological, cultural, etc. story has been well executed.

THE MUSIC WAS ALSO GREAT! That positivity is for you jamesstanley-36181. Not everyone is out to get you.

The story arch in this series was incredibly moving. Funny stories mixed with real life conversations. I watched all three seasons in one week and the final episode had me feeling for everyone.

The final few minutes ... We'll see for yourself.

In Birmingham's inner city lives Mobeen: former small time drug dealer and now surrogate father to his much younger sister. He's desperately trying to do the right thing by being a good brother, friend and Muslim but his idiotic friends and family are constantly landing him in it. Inner city Birmingham isn't somewhere that gets a lot of dramatic attention and this opens the doors to Mobeen's quirky, sometimes gritty and frequently surreal world. The characterisation is fantastic and in Uncle Shady has one of the funniest and most surreal characters for a long time.