Episodes 2011-2017

 

Only 28 minutes in length, this series about a British pair of writers who are married to each other and are plopped down in L.A. where they are hired to transfer their hit t.v. series for American audiences. Talk about plop. This is easily one of the funniest series I’ve ever seen, its fast, loose and outrageous. It takes on and takes down every subject that was floating around in our collective consciousness circa 2011 including sex, gay relationships, greed, the emptiness of television, envy, extramarital relationships, family traumas, and lack of loyalty in everything. It’s also hilarious with razor sharp writing and great performances. The leads, the married couple who push the series forward are played by Stephen Mangan (new to me) and the great Tamsin Greig who has recently popped up a lot in my television viewing. Also in the cast is Matt LeBlanc who plays himself and its here that I have to say that I cannot stand him. He repulses and offends me, and he is the punching bag of the series, he’s mocked, ridiculed and made to look ridiculous in his costume of vanity and superficiality. He plays an actor of course who  is without any redeeming qualities, he is vulgar and low. That said he is also very funny. The cast is full of rich characters most of them extreme, loud and funny who push the envelope. The married couple have mixed feelings about L.A. (most of the show was actually filmed in London) that go from amazement to vocal disgust. Highly recommended.