Pulling

I came to this from 'This way up' and one episode of 'Catastrophe'.

The bulk of episodes were filmed around 2006 and this (imho) captures much of the zeitgeist around the noughties and the anxiety around being in one's thirties. Which incidentally was the decade when I too was a 30-something.

Sharon Horgan, Rebekah Staton and Tanya Parks play characters compriing the trio of women trying to play the hands they've been dealt whilst battling their own (and their other halves) demons. There's plenty of early noughties nuance here (clothes, music) which I love! A great supporting cast and scripts makes this a must watch in the UK comedy cannon.

I watched it years ago and several times since. Always makes me laugh but not slap stick it's clever and you have to have a dry sense of humour.

I watched it during the christmas break this year and enjoyed it. Good acting, good script!

The true measure of a great comedy is it's ability to stay in your mind long after the it has finished. Pulling has done just that. The wonderful characterizations of the 3 main female roles were beautifully written and acted and the comedy situations were nicely original. The acting in Pulling is never over-played and the scenes retain a hint of realism which pulls the viewer closer to the show and makes the cringing quality of the comedy much funnier. Along with Lead Balloon and Man Stroke Woman, BBC Three's current comedy output has been exceptional considering some of the other offerings (Titty Titty Bang Bang). I'd give pulling 10/10 and hopefully there'll be a second series well on the way.

Thirty something Donna (Sharon Horgan) has a "moment of clarity" before her wedding and suddenly realises that the Karl (her husband to be) is a bit of a dullard and she doesn't want to go through with it. Instead she decides to move in with her equally dysfunctional mates Karen (Rebekah Staton) and Louise (Tanya Franks).

What could seem -- on paper -- like a micro budget version of Sex And The City is actually a modern f-word morality play based on women that act like men and -- as a result -- have the very same problems. Drinking, casual sex and communal living have their consequences and problems, but this is played for farce and farce is generally the comedy of embarrassment.

The trio are the slut, the virgin (ok, she hasn't had sex for two years) and the confused. Modern archetypes who play modern life like a pinball machine - always trying to bounce off the cushion for the bonus, but more often going straight down the middle.

Is it funny? Yes, actually. Some really good lines in every show, although the rules of comedy are always on show: Nobody gets away with anything and the next day's breakfast table is full of regret and "never again" (as if we believe it!)

Cheap? Yes! Cheerful? Yes! Funny? See above! So there you have it. If you are up for a slightly bonkers comedy with characters from hell then it well worth a look. It may be a lads comedy in dresses, but go to big UK town on a Saturday night and you'll see plenty of this for real.

For the benefit of non UK parties, Pulling is going out and finding someone to go home with - usually aided by a few cheap drinks and a few cheap chat up lines.