Human Remains

If you like the mockumentary style (such as Best In Show or This Is Spinal Tap) then you'll love this six part British TV series each of which is a self-contained story.

The writers, Julia Davis and Rob Brydon, star in the show and portray a couple with a completely dysfunctional relationship.

From seemingly ordinary circumstances, the two actors manage to turn their relationship into a complete disaster as they engage in interviews about the short-comings of the other, as well as life in general.

If it comes to a TV station near you then do yourself a favour and sit down for half an hour of adult-humour entertainment.

Rating: 7/10

This series is a terrific showcase for the amazing Julia Davis... my favorite comedian on TV these days. Rob Brydon is also a good fit and considerable talent. They play a very different couple in each episode although some same relationship dynamics are threaded throughout the series.

The series defies easy synopsis but I viewed it as a study of couples who somehow manage to make a relationship work, despite profound dysfunction.

As for genre, you might need to invent one! Generally it falls into "cringe comedy"

I would call it: "extreme emotional noir comedy."

(DISCLAIMER: The series is so strange that I might be WAY off in my analysis. I wish someone directly connected to the series would tell me if I'm even close. Also, I missed a couple of the episodes. )

It's such a shame that this comic gem has passed under the radar slightly but it's probably for the better as Human Remains holds itself better as a "cult" show.

The writing of Human Remains, all done by Julia Davis and Rob Brydon, is superb and the accuracy of the observation is spot on. Chances are, you will have met at least one of the characters they play sometime in your life. They also manage to hit the mark with their performances which variate so much with each character it is a true showcase of their acting and comic talents.

The comedy is very dark in places and sometimes quite sick, but if that's the kind of humour you like then you will love this. But you would also love this if you appreciate great comedy.

Having only the vaguest of recollections of "Human Remains" from it's initially screening on television back in 2000, I was in for a real treat when I finally got round to re-watching the series on DVD.

The series follows six separate couples (on per episode) with each pair's relationship in varying states of disrepair or marital bliss. The spoof documentary style of the show, brilliantly executed and just as well implemented as it is in "The Office", is one of the two main reasons why the show works so well and justifiably merits such a high rating on this site. The second reason why the show is so brilliant is the writing and performances of Julia Davis and Rob Brydon.

Both Davis and Brydon are not only great writers, but have a great comprehension of the sub-genre they're working in, delving into their characters with such depth that it's not only incredibly easy to believe them as their comedic creations, but barely recognize them from each episode as they don a different disguise and slip into a new persona. They also complement each other fantastically well, with neither overshadowing the other. The regular moments of solid improvisation are also gems in this show, and it's great to see how both Davis and Brydon instantly understand the other, allowing each other to carry off the line.

All in all a brilliant show that unfortunately doesn't have wider recognition. A real showcase of Julia Davis' talents and probably the best thing Rob Brydon has ever done.

Take 6 seemingly normal couples, probe a little deeper into their lives and discover that they are riddled with idiosyncrasies, peculiar sexual proclivities, pitiful, human and, above all, very, very funny.

The writers have written/produced a piece of work that is dark, subtle, fairly original, well acted, well constructed, as believable as any other comedy series, and funny in a way that makes you pity them and thank the heavens that you aren't them.

The first episode is perhaps the weakest, the following four are fantastic, and the final episode is also fantastic but has strong depressing undercurrents.

Perhaps if this show had received more exposure to the mainstream public then each couple could have been developed further and we might have even seen a series for each couple, but then again, comedies like this are often not popular in the mainstream i.e no canned laughter, no 'spot it a mile off' punchlines, dark, and often so subtle that some people might wonder if they've just watched a comedy, or a documentary about a bit of a peculiar couple.

Do watch if you like: Nighty Night, The Thick Of It, Alan Partridge, The Day Today, Saxondale, The Office (maybe)

Maybe give it a miss if you prefer: Friends, two and a half men, my family, everybody loves/hates Raymond/Chris.

Give it a try. You'll know within 10 minutes if it's for you or not. For me, it's pretty much top-notch comedy and years ahead of most.

CM.