Catastrophe

This show is just fun!! Right from the very start, it just grabs you as does not let go. These two (Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney) are truly talented.. on both sides of the camera. Why can't we learn here in the US how to produce these kinds of quality programs. And it's only the early going for this series, but it's hoped that it might have a very long run, for it is everything you can want in this genre of programming. Yes, it's a TV series comedy, but really it is so much more, and it has a not-real/ real-life quality about it that is most appealing and entertaining. All categories are well done.. casting, writing, acting, and production values. There are few, if any, weaknesses. It appears it will wind up being a sixteen episode split-season. It's wished there would be more, but you'd find few to complain, just as long as they can kept it going with such outstanding quality work.

My wife, 41, and I, 45, love Gavin and Stacey, largely due to the fine writing and interesting character development of the show's supporting players, Ruth Jones and James Corden. Catastrophe, on the other hand, stays with its leads -- thank goodness -- through an abbreviated six-episode opening season, and we're both hooked.

Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney star in this frank and funny look at two generally kind-hearted adults in London. One's a frustrated Irish school teacher; the other's a knuckle-headed American ad executive. They hook up, then team up, after Horgan's Sharon Morris is knocked up by Delaney's Rob Norris during a week-long sex slog.

That this odd, endearing couple is surrounded and supported almost completely by assholes is just part of their troubles, and it's a flaw that must be addressed if this Catastrophe is going to grow. Indeed, it's almost solely to the daffy duo's credit, both on screen and as co-writers, that the show avoids the mean-spirited ditch lurking around each episode's next twisted turn.

The serious events Sharon and Rob stumble through -- often based on the personal experiences of 45-year-old Horgan and 38-year-old Delaney - - are handled delicately or bluntly as warranted. But it's the honesty of the leads, who riotously portray two human beings with big mouths and big hearts, that's so attractive.

We look forward to their next Catastrophe.

The show moves along nicely without assuming the viewers need every single nuance spelled out. Rob and Sharon play so well off of each other you start to wonder, "Are these two married in real life?"

The supporting cast is also hilarious and don't think for a moment that their roles are anything less than stellar.

"Chris" (Mark Bonnar) is already one of my favorites. His description of his wife's, Fran, child birthing experience had me laughing so hard, I scared my dog.

Give it a try! The first episode WILL get you hooked into binge watching. Then you wait for the next episodes like the rest of us.

This is the funniest sitcom I have seen in years! Growing up around the New York area and being a huge fan Seinfeld, is maybe why I love this, but I love this even more! I couldn't stop laughing watching this on a British Airways flight coming back to the US from London. I watched 3 episodes on the plane, and watched the rest on Amazon Prime as soon as it was available. I've seen Sharon in other shows, but Rob is new to me and I just love them together! His comments on rationalizing her freak out moments are absolutely brilliant! Watch the first episode, its all you need to get hooked. If you don't like the first, you're a wet rag and stop watching, you won't get the rest of them either.

Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan are pastmasters of black humour, so it's no surprise that after just ten minutes of this show you're left going over in your head the sick and or/crude things you laughed at, but probably, strictly, know you shouldn't have. What is surprising is their capacity, in their role as writer-actors, to balance that most well practiced aspect of their craft with pathos and, occasionally, a sweet and cheesy moment that just lightens the impending doom a little.

The first series starts and ends very well, and though it does begin to feel a bit lethargic 3 or 4 episodes in, there's still always enough there for a fair few good laughs. It'll be interesting to see how they approach the next series, but however they do it, I'm optimistic it'll keep up this brand of dark/light sitcom humour that's a pleasure to indulge in.