The most innovative and underappreciated television programme of the last ten years. It's situation, the living room of a working class family, may have a lot to do with this neglect. It is in no way as cosy and safe as people might imagine but instead is a truly revolutionary piece of work. Ricky Tomlinson gets most of the acolades, but its real strength comes from the women: Sue Johnson, Caroline Aherne and Liz Smith all give superb, nuanced performances. The writing is usually invisible, but how's this for comedy genius?
Barbara: She's looking her age, Judith Chalmers. Isn't she Jim?
Jim: Don't know. How old is she?
Barbara: Don't know.
It rocks. "Jiiiiim!! Piss and Shit at the Dinner Table?!?"
Posted by: laura | May 11, 2004 at 11:31 AM
Lately The Office did steal a lot of its thunder and it's place as the Latest UK Comedy To Wow America, but it got its props at the time. It did win awards and stuff.
Posted by: Stefan | May 11, 2004 at 11:51 AM
This is true, but how soon we forget.
Posted by: Alistair | May 11, 2004 at 11:59 AM
MY ARSE!
Posted by: trikke d | May 11, 2004 at 02:56 PM
Well someone had to say it didn't they? Didn't they?
And Ricky has an autobiography out - no doubt he'll skip any justification for the British Gas ads! Tommy Tankers!
Posted by: trikke d | May 11, 2004 at 02:58 PM