White Gold

Overall, a very good series to watch on a rainy day but not one to stay up for!

If you're looking for something like "The Inbetweeners", this is probably NOT the series you would have hoped for. Though Joe Thomas and James Buckley's characters certainly have similar personas in this series, the whole show being dominated by Ed Westwick's imposing character means that the overall vibe is less childish and juvenile without turning dark.

A clever and comic plot, with hints of irony and at times bitter humour, whilst keeping some with some scenes being humorous in a rather vulgar way. The plot is quite memorable, and some scenes certainly have a deeper meaning to them; the final episode leaves one thinking about the ending for a some time afterwards. You certainly want to binge watch all the episodes at once, but perhaps not as much as "Cuckoo" or "Fresh Meat".

Despite this, I would not say it is as funny or accomplished as other British comedies with similar target audiences ("Cuckoo", for example is much funnier in my opinion). The main problem with this new show is that we hardly feel any empathy for characters, Ed Westwick's character is quite unlikable and the only character we really feel sorry for is Sam Swan (Lindsey Cocker). We understand that the others are quite irritating and annoying figures, but that's about it!

The other reason I find that this show is not as funny as it could be is because its seems a bit restrained in terms of use of language and insults. The show was shown at 10pm, and words such as "c**t" are used throughout the series. Vulgarities are then certainly present, yet it feels as though Joe Thomas and James Buckley's insults are quite restrained. And those two characters' vulgar and overly-offensive insults were some of the most hilarious parts of "The Inbetweeners".

"White Gold" is then certainly good, but did slightly disappoint after shows like "The Inbetweeners" where I felt that Thomas and Buckley were at their best.

This is an enjoyable easy watch with many laughs, sometimes vulgar under the belt. A little trashy and filled with eighties nostalgia. There is no refinement, subtleties or finesse. Just raw spot on cynical comedy without political correctness. Be warned.

It is a fun way to spend some time off watching this if you have lots of free time to fill. Each episode is also short so easy watch now and then.

Some might love this kind of humour, others will be a bit offset by the crude style and dialogue.

Update 010619: After

I really liked Season 1, great set up, however it really did seem to drop the ball in season 2. Season 2 wasn't terrible, but as far as writing goes seemed quite lazy. It looks great, something that can be said for both season's, and has a very strong 80's feel to it - clothing and all that really well done. With a shift to the aspect ratio I might even have believed it could have been made in the 80s.

Season 1 is an easy 8/10. Season 2 more 6/10 (liked the characters, however the story lost its legs a bit).

I would like to see a season 3, though I wouldn't know where they'll go with it. End of season 2 didn't feel as though it was open to a season 3 that could include all of the same characters. I won't say why.

I would say if you like things like Benidorm (first couple of season), and or the Inbetweeners, then this might be up your street.

Lets see more of these UK shows on Netflix. There's a huge expat market in the USA and we miss the type of telly we know and love from the UK.

No one from England should have any trouble understanding an Essex accent. I saw the review where someone had trouble understanding the dialog. Bless.

Damon Beesley is primarily a TV producer but when he does write, it's gold... and in this case - White Gold! The brains behind 'The Inbetweeners' hits the mark again with this comedy-drama (emphasis on comedy) about the lives of three Essex double-glazing salesmen.

Ed Westwick plays fast-talking Vincent who narrates directly to the camera to keep us in tune with what's going on in his world. It's an excellent rip-off of Michael Caine's 1966 'Alfie' device (and character... which Jude Law failed to pull off in 2004.)

The opening gag from the first episode sets the tone for the series... it's crude, tacky, rude... and very, very funny. If you liked 'The Inbetweeners' then you'll feel right at home here. The only difference is that the swearing here is real and not a made up language to beat the watershed.

Just drooling over a rare sighting of the drop-dead gorgeous Linzey Cocker playing ''er indoors' is another good reason to stick around. She's great fun as Vincent's sassy, foul-mouthed missus.

James Buckley and Joe Thomas team up again, and fill the screen with remarkable chemistry while they spar off each other effortlessly. Beesley should re-write 'The Odd Couple' for these two!

The musical inserts are spot on and a fantastic reminder of an unremarkable time in the UK where wide boys drank Stella from sleeve glasses and thick hair and thin ties were de rigueur!

I'd love to see the show renewed but I'm not sure it could be. Things seemed to tie up nicely at the end and maybe there's only so much eighties nostalgia any one man can tolerate!

I loved this program and it made a fantastic change from the insipid rubbish churned out masquerading as comedy over the last few years. The BBC doesn't do comedy very well anymore but on this occasion, they have hit the mark!