Miranda was a bit of a "Marmite" sitcom in UK parlance when it was first shown - you either loved it or hated it.
I am on the love it side. Every scene and episode has me laughing or crying.
The concept is nothing out of the ordinary. Miranda, a 30 something woman who is considered too tall and too large, exploring life and trying to find love with her old university friend Gary, often hampered by her friends, her overbearing mother and her own lack of confidence and social awkwardness, whether that is when out shopping, going to the gym, on dates, and trying to fit into what everyone around her sees as how she should live. What's brilliant about it is although these issues are shown in a very over the top and farcical way they are completely relatable. What is also nice is that Miranda often triumphs in the face of this adversity.
When I'm feeling down I will put this show on and I know I will feel better. It's such a warm and funny show. It also shows that in particular, women don't have to be perfect - not the perfect size, not the perfect girlfriend, not in a perfect career, and they can still win. There was a Christmas special show made where the cast all spoke about their time on the show, as well as contributions from real people talking about how Miranda had made them feel better - women of different sizes, women with depression, women with confidence issues.. That's quite a powerful thing for a sitcom to do. Miranda was a show written by a woman, starring mainly women and that is still unfortunately quite unusual.
At its heart was a wonderful love story about two people perfect for one another, and whilst there were numerous setbacks across 3 series and 2 specials, eventually the love won.
Miranda was deliberately shot in a very traditional sitcom style - Infront of an audience, on sets, and featured a lot of pratfalls and farce elements. In a time where a lot of sitcoms were being made without a studio audience in a single camera set up this makes it stand out.
All the supporting characters are perfect. Patricia Hodge as Penny, Miranda's overbearing mother is just wonderful and often gets the best lines, whilst best friend Stevie played by Sarah Hadland is the perfect foil being more ambitious, confident and seemingly more put together and sorted than Miranda. Tom Ellis is gorgeous of course, and plays Miranda's old university friend and love interest Gary who loves her just the way she is and doesn't need her to change for him. Their courtship is played over the entire 3 series and you the audience, as well as all the other characters know they should be together and try and fail many times to get them to see it for themselves.. the 2 part series finale won't disappoint in how it ends.
Heartwarming and hilarious are my two words to describe this show.
