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.

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.

After seeing the trailers for this show on Gold I initially had high hopes. But after the first episode those hopes were well and truly dashed, but in fairness that is common, as the first episode of any new series is really just establishing characters and their relationships within the storyline. So I dismissed my scepticism as unjust in the hope that once it got into its stride that it would somehow perk up and improve. WRONG. This is possibly the most painfully dire, forced and unfunny British sitcom I have seen in literally decades. It's predictable like watching a fatal car crash in slow motion and about as humorous as aforementioned too. If you really find yourself with 40 minutes to kill on an evening I'd suggest a couple of pints of beer instead as that will leave a far less bitter after taste and a greater feeling of satisfaction.

First, this show deserved more episodes. Every episode was full of laughs, and the cast is superb.

The chemistry among the cast makes them feel like a real family, and they're all relatable and over the top at the same time.

I found myself laughing out loud... a lot. The dead pan jokes are hysterical. The slapstick jokes are hysterical.

Each episode finds new zany situations for the characters to navigate, and the ensemble writing leaves the viewer wanting more.

I literally watched all 12 episodes in a couple days.

Each episode leaves the viewer in a lighthearted mood. It really is worth watching.

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?!