Dead Man Weds

I say involving, because there is a staggering number of (colourful) characters to keep track of in this well-realised six-part comedy series. And yet, each is given a distinctive character and an extraordinary degree of development over the course of the story, through a plethora of inventive incident and credible interaction. The cast (lots of familiar faces) are uniformly excellent and you very quickly get to know everyone in Fogburrow, a town almost as odd as Royston Vasey (from The League of Gentlemen) but a country mile more attractive.

I say witty, because the pin-sharp dialogue fires off the jokes thick and fast. Perhaps a bit too fast - this programme would stand up to repeat viewing. 'Northern humour' (as some insist on calling it) is big these days on British TV. I'm talking about character-led, sarcastic, well-observed and inventive humour. For me, it scarcely comes better than this (and I'm from Hampshire). As well as the general cleverness and depth of character, there's some slapstick and a streak of the ridiculous in the mix. It reminded me of Paul Whitehouse's brilliant Happiness as much as it did Phoenix Nights or Craig Cash's sublime Early Doors (no-one called happiness 'Southern humour', incidentally).

And I say surprising, because who'd have thought a sitcom set in the office of a provincial newspaper would turn out to be a science-fiction drama as well? And one making a bit of a timely political point, at that. I don't know why people elsewhere have called this 'dark' comedy, either; it's not, it's warm and accessible if, in places, adult fare.

Anyone who's ever worked in the parochial press knows that finding things to publish week in week out can be a bit of a chore. Dave Spikey, fairly fresh from his hugely successful turn starring as Gerry 'The Saint' StClair in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights - which Spikey also co- wrote - takes the old (actually offensive) cliché that 'nothing ever happens in small towns' and runs with it. Although the story is actually fairly straightforward when you look back over it, the sheer amount of invention along the way kept this viewer watching and laughing along - despite ITV moving the last episode to a different slot. If that betrayed a loss of confidence in the programme, then I hope this doesn't mean we won't be returning to Fogburrow. That would be a shame, as although the story was all told and the resolution highly satisfactory - and although I am sure Spikey will be inventing many more amusing characters and scenarios in the years ahead - there is definitely more mileage to be had in the loveably optimistic Lewis (Duncan) Donat (Johnny Vegas on fine form), forthright if overwrought Gordon Garden (Spikey), Paul, surely the world's worst pub landlord (Tim Healy) and the rest - from the method-acting no-hoper to the obscene-caller appreciator and everyone else getting, er, legless in the Douglas Bader tavern playing increasingly insane contests.

Paging the talented Mr Spikey: More of the same please!

So nice to see ITV attempting to make a quality comedy.

I have really enjoyed this first series and would hope that it gets picked-up for a 2nd series.

I would have preferred the show to have been a whole hour instead of just half, as I feel there is too much packed in at some points. I'd love to see more about the lives of the characters outside of the newspaper.

Dave Spikey's writing is so good on this show. Many, many jokes just go whizzing past and only on a second viewing do you catch them.

Keep up the good work.

From episode 1 I have been hocked, the story is excellent and the subtle humour makes for good TV. The excellent balance between plot and comedy is very well done; to be too excessive in one of the fields would destroy what the show is about, a mix. "The water is blue…" However I do agree that it will not meet with some tastes that enjoy the full on comedy experience like the works of Peter Kay. Looking round the net I have found that it has got good reviews and it is well worth a watch. However it is plot driven and thus should be watched from start to finish to get that just fried feel.

All in all Dave Spikey and Johnny Vegas have done me proud.

PS, the song is "Its Good News Week" by Hedgehoppers Anonymous:)

I thoroughly enjoyed the 6 part series , especially funny was Johnny Vegas. Also loved the music , Good New Week , a sixties protest song by Hedgehoppers Anonymous. Michael Brandon and his security man Red were also excellent and Keith Barron as the Mayor was also superb , Barron being one of my favourite actors. Richard Bremner as the mad priest was inspired. Last saw him in The Sin Eater. Some of the jokes you could see coming from a mile off but so what? It was very satisfying with at least one guffaw per episode. I hope they give it a chance and do a second series. Well written in my opinion by Vegas and Dave Spikey. Definitely worth watching.

I liked this series.

I came to Dave Spikey not via Phoenix Nights but via the 'Overnight Success' stand-up DVD he did and seeing him live.

I thought it was a pretty good attempt that didn't always quite work but was certainly better that the vast majority of dross ITV serve up as 'comedy' (or should that be 'served' - as they don't seem to attempt or produce anything comedic nowadays!).

There might not have been many 'fall on the floor' laughs but there were lots of chuckles and smiles.

Dave was pretty good as the erratic and confused editor looking for a 'good story' and Johnny had a role that wasn't totally pist (on the Irish black stuff) caricature that he was prevailing at the time.

I'd like to think that given another series Dave & Johnny could have come up with something wonderful.

I'd like to be able to see it again to re-evaluate it, but copyright stuff (the music I believe) has put a pox on that for the time being.