You, Me & Them

I couldn't even make it through the first episode. Not one original joke, unless you count the completely unbelievable ex-wife dropping in and being delusional bit, which was really dumb. It was just horrible.

The setup--the family complications engendered after a veterinary nurse and a middle class garage owner embark on a May-December relationship-- could be painful, stupid, or funny. This is so over the top it is hysterical. Eve Myles (Torchwood) throttles back on her usual Welshness from Torchwood to do constantly confused girlfriend, Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Manchild) underplays the older lover. Lindsay Duncan chews the scenery as the ex-wife who lives next door and steals Head's shirts. Eps 1 & 2 alone feature a fracas over the 1971 Stones concert, a post-it note bikini, a bomb threat, the stalker ex-wife in the bushes with binoculars...and most particularly the badgers. What's not to love?!

I belly laughed throughout the legend of old McCready episode! The comedic timing between Anthony heard and Jeff Rawle Was priceless. Yes it was old-school physical comedy- trying to suppress a sneeze during a championship silent billiards game and lots of other comic jabs. Nice to see Eve Myles In an Ensemble cast as a hippie chick, such a contrast to her latest role in Keeping Faith.

OK, so this isn't the most radical of sitcoms. It's full of middle class clichés not to mention many situations and characters we've seen up teen times before. But I really like it. As long as you can suspend your disbelief long enough to believe that a man can be (pretty much) stalked by his ex wife yet tolerated, then the wit and one liners, not to mention the charm of many of the show's cast should win you over easily enough. The acting is (in the main) pretty broad. Lindsay Duncan is OTT but very funny as the ex wife, and Antony Head is probably the only cast member that seems to be underplaying as Ed. Everyone else just stays on the right side of outright mugging. But hey, leave your radicalism in another room and take this programme for what it is - an enjoyable, funny sitcom in the traditional style.

This is based on an unlikely premise that anyone would tolerate their ex living next door and just waltzing in to their home unannounced at regular intervals. The actors involved are some of the best in their field but they are let down by obvious jokes and weak plots. Why do people never get angry or annoyed in British sitcoms? The character played by Anthony Head, in real life, would be angry that his ex was interfering in his new life. The new partner would likewise be angry, annoyed and upset rather than accept an unlikely scenario. Add to this the usual strong mother and weak father and you have a typical middle class suburban sitcom. One to avoid. When it is aired that is the time to do the jobs you have been putting off.