Love Soup

(Series 1) Beautician Alice Chenery and writer Gil Raymond are totally perfect for each other, the only problem is their paths are deemed never to meet. Alice is slightly awkward, slightly staid but kind hearted and generous. Gil is an American perplexed by life, living next door to cougar Irene.

I think Love Soup was somewhat ahead of its time, it had it all, it was hilariously funny, deeply moving and emotionally engaging, by the end of the series my love for the characters grew hugely.

Definitely shades of One Foot in The Grave throughout, if you're a fan you'll recognise the humour traits.

How good an actress is Tamsin Greig, the whole series in fairness hangs on her performance, she's just wonderful, her acting in Series 2 when she hears the news of Gil's fate was genuinely fantastic.

Series 1 was fantastic from the off, I never tire of it, the most memorable moment I can remember is Trudie Styler's speech to Gil in the opening episode, it's one of the most moving things I have ever seen.

Series 2 is a mixed bag, I think the opening 5 episodes are excellent, the latter 5 are a little dull in comparison, I didn't think Alice was brilliantly written for towards the end, but in the scheme of things, it's still a great watch.

David Renwick I salute you, 9/10.

If you like droll and witty, you'll love this. If low brow, slutty, British sit com fare is your style, this is definitely not for you. First of all it's very smart stuff. Secondly the script is handled very deftly by almost everyone connected with it. Kudos to the director! Tamsin Grieg has a face built for comedy, a sort of sexier Lily Tomlin, and her timing is exquisite! The American (a real one, for a change) is excellent as well, if a tad too good looking for a lonely single.

The two play a couple, possibly (hopefully) destined to meet, but in the mean time they passively, reluctantly, pursue the dating game. Each episode is another disaster waiting to happen. Sometimes you can see it coming other times you can't, but you know it's coming. Just what will make this one a disaster?

My favorite scene, so far, is when the parents of Tamsin's ex boyfriend of some 10 years, show up to tell her he's passed away and to hand over tapes he made of him and Tamsin having sex. The old couple play it absolutely straight and innocently, and Tamsin's facial expressions show her skills as a comedian, who knows how to be subtle, instead of obvious.

My wife is impatient to have the two meet, but I want to wait and savor the moment, when (if) it comes.

Was really excited that they are making a Love Soup 2. Can't wait for it. Hope Michael Landes is also in it, he's not listed in the credits for it.

This is a really well-done mini-series with very likable characters. The acting is excellent, too.

Grieg plays a very different role than that of her iconic Fran Katzenjammer in Black Books. In fact, her "Love Soup" Alice couldn't be further away from Fran. Alice is thoughtful, organized, positive, hopeful and loyal. And very funny.

The DVD, which is only available in the UK (but can be viewed on multi-regional players) is great and the extras are very fun. Tiny tidbit: The actress who plays Chloe originally read for the role of Millie.

I am very excited about the upcoming sequel -- I really wanted more, I enjoyed it so much.

A wry and enjoyable programme and unlike bob from America, Gil's dialogue doesn't bother me as I am British and this is a British programme for British people. I don't like the way American writers write dialogue for British characters in American programmes, as it is not an accurate portrayal of the way we use our language, but I understand that they are writing for an American audience and not trying to portray an accurate representation of our way of speaking.

The idea that two people are the ideal partners for each other but are completely unaware of each other and to tell their story in this way is intriguing. I understand that it is inspired by how the writer met his own wife. Will they get together? I hope we get to find out.

Alice and Gil independently wander through life wondering if there is anyone else on the planet who 'get' them...

This is a beautifully observed, hilariously acted set of 6 hour-long episodes, posing the question 'is there really a perfect partner for each of us, and if so, how do we meet them?'. Renwick creates one cringingly funny situation after another, and he is ably served by Tamsin Greig and Michael Landes as Alice and Gil. Greig is particularly wonderful, underplaying brilliantly in the face of one embarrassment after another. Smith and Lombard are also fantastic as Alice's colleagues, and Styler is a revelation as Gil's frustrated neighbour Irene. Occasionally 60 minutes feels a little long, but on the whole an unmissable show. Role on Season 2?