Dead Boss

Tuned in to watch "Dead Boss" How this situation of someone being wrongly accused of a crime can possibly be funny is simply not funny. Its a real shame that really good talent has wasted time and energy making this TV series. There are some great writers and stories out there just needing the BBC to turn them into AWARD winning Drama, Comedy....how can the BBC waste good talent on A series that has chosen a really sad situation which I am sure has happened to people in the past (Jill Dando's killer was jailed and was proved innocent) It is something so AWFUL...Evil threatening characters that the Helen character has to bluff her way out of, come on its beyond stupid, its mindless, thoughtless rubbish and the BBC can and should do better.

After four episodes of this show I have to admit that I like it more than it obviously deserves. This, because the actors are doing a great job and directing and camera are at a high level. Pacing / Cut is fast enough to prevent boredom.

Nothing less is to be expected from a BBC production.

At a second glance, 'Dead Boss' seems to hinder itself from being a good show. It's soft, nice, and - nearly irrelevant. It's good for spending half an hour with a slight smile, and after a few episodes you are common with the 'family', i.e. bad girls, good girls and some pathetic men. The jokes are sometimes not the best, but mostly mildly entertaining. There are many missed opportunities to get more from the plot, some grabbed chances after all, and nothing outstanding.

It's also too well-behaved for my liking. I prefer more dark, black humor, stronger political incorrectness, and so on....

But also, it looks somewhere promising. With a bit more bravery it could be at least a good show.

Sharon Horgan's series 'Pulling' is my favourite comedy of recent years; but 'Dead Boss', her latest effort, sadly fails to hit the same heights. There are some moments of similar genius, of characters whose hysterically exaggerated behaviours are driven by their own deluded perception of reality; but whereas in 'Pulling', these occurred against a realistic backdrop, in 'Dead Boss', the scenario is an improbable murder mystery, and a women's prison portrayed in a manner you might expect of a 1970s sitcom. For all the sharp lines, the flimsy story fails to provide suspense, and the laughter is muted by the unbelievability of the situation. At times, the programme almost feels like a sketch show, with the plot merely providing an excuse for the jokes; but Horgan's sort of comedy needs to be founded in something that feels true. I've watched comedies with fewer good lines; but it's surprisingly amateurish, and a little disappointing for anyone who knows how good, at her best, Horgan can be.

I cannot believe this was just 6 episodes. Was this canceled? I picked it up on Hulu and thought I missed what happened at the end. It just ended with no resolution of anything. This definitely needs to be continued. It was so creative and funny. It is really the only prison show that did not gross me out. Every character was integral. The mystery put forth was and still is a great cliffhanger. My favorite character had to be the young hot wife. Loved her accent.

This is a British comedy where you don't have to think, just enjoy the romping and silliness of it.

It has some classic UK actors who are enjoying their parts in this light-hearted comedy, so we can go along.

As some other reviewers have noted - it's set up for a Second season that isn't going to happen apparently.

So if you're in the mood to be a bit silly - this is your program! And you are in very good company.