Psychoville

Psychoville is the brainchild of two League of Gentlemen members, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. If you like this sort of thing...comedy that plays off the grotesque and horrific...don't bother reading any reviews, just get your hands on this series and watch!

Season One has many memorable moments, but perhaps none more than the episode that pays homage to Hitchcock's movie Rope, being filmed in one long, continuous take without edits. It's brilliant stagecraft, and includes a guest appearance by fellow Leaguer Mark Gatiss.

The Halloween Special follows, a one-off that can be watched independently, but also links the two full seasons. It's an homage to those cheesy horror anthology movies of the 1970s, with horrific vignettes featuring the Psychoville characters. Brilliantly done.

And Season Two is even better, with a corker of a plot that steadily builds to a stunning climax. Imelda Staunton joins the cast and creates an indelible impression as the high-tech villain. She's got to be one of the greatest actresses in the English-speaking world.

Alas, the latest word has it that there will be no Season Three, and Psychoville has come to an end. But what a wild ride it was!

Fantastically original and absolutely hilarious. Really enjoyed both series. Great cast and well written storyline. Watched this after seeing Inside #9, which was generally very good.

Brings me back to the days of Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected. No other shows have that effect, that underlying menace, the unknowing, the uncertainty of where you're being dragged. Love it. Same with Inside No 9.

Where the Psychos are the fledging anti-heroes in a show. They each mysteriously receive a letter saying " I KNOW WHAT YOU DID." Frightened for what's to come, they each act accordingly to their own taste. But first you find out what their daily rituals of being creepers. AND I do mean creepers.

The concept is unique and fun, because they do not limit themselves in the horror of it all. This is a great watch for Halloween or anything for that matter. I was not empathic towards any of the main characters (except for the clown at one point)…

Overall, this is not your typical Dexter… these people are mentally deranged with a multitude of problems, and there is no justification for what they do, other than being victims of their own past or mind. I say this is a great watch!

Conceptually brilliant, I see HBO or Showtime doing their own version of it to the step of HBO's Carnivale.

I discovered this after enjoying Inside No 9. (Not a fan of The League.) Psychoville has twisted and memorable characters. The plot is gripping and successfully combines horror with humour. Also, Reece and Steve constantly homage their favourite films. One episode is set entirely in one location, reminding me of how No 9 works. Their commentaries on the DVDs are entertaining and informative. It is a shame Series 3 didn't go ahead, but there aren't any loose ends. I especially loved Reece's characters which include a bitter clown and an obsessive librarian. Dawn French is fabulous. Steve's best character is the man-child, David. There are no weak performances. The music adds to the atmosphere perfectly. Nothing is predictable. The Halloween Special is certainly the best I've seen. For the whole, Psychoville is a delicious treat at any time of the year!