Supernova

"Supernova" is a refreshing series, filled with excellent (and intelligent) witty lines. I never knew "astronomy" could be so enlightening! The cast is quite well suited for the situations and their relationships with each other is at times intriguing and at other times amazing--all in all, an excellent series, but, alas, it didn't seem to catch on enough for it to continue. Perhaps there is something especially intriguing about Australia. Certainly, the show not only shows a few "Aussie stereotypes" but the witty satire takes care of all this. At the same time, it doesn't revert to dialogue that only Australians can understand. This is almost a "Monty Python" meets "2001: A Space Odyssey" with Max substituting for Hal. The innuendos also score a hit!

PBS does a credit by showing it (and re-showing!).

After the first episode of this disappointing program, I think it's fair to assume that it won't get any better. It was predictable, boring, and a clear waste of the wonderful Rob Brydon's comedic talents. Another big problem with the show is that out of all of the 6 main characters, only 1 is given comedy lines, or put in comedy situation - Rob Brydon. Obviously he is the main character, and therefore should be seen the most, but it would work so much better if all of the oddballs that he works with were funny too. I'm angered that the BBC has once again wasted my licence fee money on a rubbish TV show. PUT SOME BLOODY EFFORT IN TO IT NEXT TIME!

A comedy about Astronomy professors in an observatory?

Yup that is exactly what it was! I enjoyed the sheer wackiness of this brilliant little gem.

Some of its humour comes from clever in-jokes about matters astronomical - some from the cultural interplay between the English professor and his Australian colleagues and some from the lovable eccentricity of all seven characters.

Occasional contrived situations did occur but the excellent cast carried them off with verve.

The BBC decided that the show might have limited appeal only and so, giving it little publicity, consigned it to a graveyard slot on a minority channel.

What a shame they hadn't the guts to substitute Supernova for one of their multitude of prime-time soaps - they might have got a pleasant surprise.

The above review is misleading. After a slow start, BBC2's quirky comedy improved steadily throughout its first series, not just by giving Rob Brydon the space needed for him to show his talents, but also to give room to his more than able co-stars.

The second series, currently showing on BBC2, hit the ground running - without the need to establish the characters or introduce new ones, the entire cast seemed to have moved up a gear. The plots are more ridiculous and far-fetched, the budget, which stretches to racing camels in one episode, improved and the scripts give all the actors the opportunity to shine.

If there's one criticism, its that six episodes in a series is not enough - roll on series 3!

The show is set around a deep space observatory in Central Australia and the personalities of those who work within.

The facility is staffed by Aussies except for one English interloper and it is he who adds a delightful twist to many a circumstance.

The eclectic group that staff the facility is highly intelligent, extraordinarily dedicated and personally insecure.

The facility is located not too far from a small outback Aussie town. ( A Pub, a shop and a couple of houses )

This creates a beautiful dynamic between the staff, internally at the facility and the staff with the locals of the town.

This interplay makes for much light hearted humour, very little seriousness and a jolly good time.

The Aussie outback shines almost as much as the delightful performances, the whacki humour and the night sky.