My Hero

The best comedy shows are where the actors all seem to have fun working together, and you get that feeling about My Hero. It's really good fun. This is only a knock-off of Superman, or Lois and Clark, in that the basic idea of a super hero is the same. There the similarities end. Ardal O'Hanlan is superb with his dead-pan delivery, and is ably backed up by the rest of the regular cast, which includes a completely insane neighbor whose world is sanely comprehensible, an ego-centric doctor, enough said, and the receptionist at the doctor's office, whom we have all met in one role or another. Back this up with a foil to them in the hero's long-suffering girlfriend, and you have a combination which is hard to beat. I love the clever writing and snappy dialog. A Great Show.

Just saw an episode from the third season. The April Fool bits, the time travel bits are just wonderful. I can't understand the minds of the people who submitted negative comments. I find myself laughing out loud over and over. I suppose people who think Doctor Who was bad because it had low budgets and unlikely stories wouldn't like this one, but those people should stay away, stick to Space 1999 or Star Drek (which I watch, but it is so predictable it's almost irritainment).

My only complaint is the incompetence of TV Guide, which can't even tell me when there are new episodes, or any of the plotlines. It's on PBS in Oregon at 9:30 Saturday and worth setting your recorder for.

I find this show to be most funny, mostly because of the characters.

George is an idiot amongst Humans, yet, being a superhero, is from another planet where his level of knowledge is acceptable.

Janet is the only normal one, caught up in the middle of a superhero husband, two always problemed parents, and the crazy health clinic she works at.

Arnie is George's cousin, who has become more Human like since he lost his powers for charging people to be rescued. He's a complete slob.

Tyler is George's neighbor, who believes he's from another planet, and that he visits planets and aliens all the time, most friequently, Gandalf the wizard.

Janet's Mother is a pain in Janets side, and Janet's Father is always dumbfounded by the situations he gets caught up in.

Mrs. Raven is the health clinic receptionist, who is pure evil.

And then there's Dr. Crispin, who is so amazed by himself, he never really understands what people actually think of him.

It's a great show, so go watch it.

I love this show! I've been watching it on BBCAmerica, and it makes me laugh out loud--unlike American sitcoms. Ardal O'Hanlon is perfect in the role of an alien superhero, sniffing out trouble around Earth, dashing to the rescue quickly and efficiently--but absolutely clueless as to the ways and mores of earthly relationships. His attempts to adapt to Earth and England are for love, which makes them oddly endearing. The peripheral characters are a bit much; the Health Centre's receptionist Mrs. Raven and pompous Dr. Piers Crispin for example are one-note characters, and quickly become tiring. But the central relationship of George "Thermoman" Sunday and his lovely Janet (played with the right balance of affection and exasperation by Emily Joyce) sustains this lightweight but thoroughly enjoyable comedy.

On the surface George Sunday (Ardal O'Hanlon) appears to be a mild-mannered Irishman who runs a health shop but in reality, he is Thermoman, an leotard-wearing superhero who hails from the planet Ultron. When he rescues nurse Janet Dawkins (Emily Joyce), he is so taken by her he moves to England to be nearer to her and the pair fall in love. The comedy of the series is mainly based on George's attempts to come to grips with everyday life and combining a dual career as a superhero and a slightly odd earthling.

Make no bones about it, the premise of the series is very very silly but the excellent cast carry it off. Ardal O'Hanlon (better known as the dim-witted Fr Dougal Maguire in Fr Ted) is lovable as George and Emily Joyce is suitably droll as his girlfriend. The cast is rounded out by some other good characters - especially Mrs Raven the sharp-tongued doctor's receptionist who abuses all comers to the surgery and Dr Piers Crispin, the clinic's doctor who's more concerned about his career on breakfast television.

Leave your brain behind and just enjoy the ride.