Barbara

Trash drivel etc, and its back 4 a second series oh dear, the jokes are second hand, the acting if you can call it that is terrible. Its also on prime time television, while it deserves to be on in the graveyard slot. So many decent series' get canned, why does the rubbish keep coming back. Please stop this madness

No, Barbara isn't ever going to be remembered as a classic example of British comedy, but it did run for a while so clearly managed to entertain people - and that's no bad thing.

The performances from the cast can't be faulted. Headed by Gwen Taylor the series is mildly funny at times and then downright ridiculous the next.

When the scripts perhaps aren't as strong the acting does become a bit pantomime but there are usually some good moments to be found in each episode.

It is certainly better than much of the comedy we have to endure today.

Long ISland's WLIW aired a British battle for the best British comedy to fill an upcoming empty spot in their Friday night lineup. The other choices were Father Ted, A Fine Romance, Murder Most Horrid, and Barbara. My vote goes to this innovative recent British import. Gwen Taylor is marvelous and the cast is surprisingly good. I wanted it to win but Father Ted won the vote. Maybe next time, Barbara who is played beautifully by Gwen Taylor from another British comedy, Screaming, and her husband is played by the veteran comedian Sam Kelly. Her sister is played by Sherry and the woman who plays her best friend are both Coronation Street veterans. I like the fact that Barbara is a strong woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend and not perfect in any of them. I love Jean Alexander, another Coronation Street veteran, playing her mother-in-law too. There are great episodes too like her grandson's christening, her sister's wedding, and whatever you could imagine happens. Mark Benton is memorable as her celebrity son-in-law.

I saw this show back in the early turn of the (new) century and I in general, liked it a lot.

I can see what others are saying in the 'wasted talent' and 'where is this going' areas but I guess, when the show is supposed to be carried by one person, the supporting players shouldn't be funnier than the headliner.

The episode with the taxidermy neighbor is in fact, funnier than the other review stated. you just have to be in tune with this type of humor and not be deterred by it when taken by surprise.

give it a try. the first season's episodes are a riot.

I have just watched the whole series on dvd and I found it quite funny. It does take a few episodes to warm to but in the end I wanted more. By the last season I found it very funny whilst It's not the best comedy, I think I related to Barbara a bit more than the average viewer. I do seek out shows that were never on television in Australia and this one was never on television in Australia. So if you are a British television nut like me you must add this one onto your watch list . Let's face it there's a lot worse shown on television now that's meant to be comedy . Gwen is very good as Barbara and the rest of the cast are all well known.