Here in New Zealand, we produce some great comedy but there's no doubt that a lot of the world's best humour comes out of the UK.
Well, I would say that - I'm a Brit. But come on, it's true isn't it? Monty Python, The Goons, the Mighty Boosh, Green Wing, the original Office... I could go on but I don't want to be accused of bragging (not that I had the slightest thing to do with any of those shows springing into existence!)
The latest nimble filly to be released from the stable of BBC comedy is Gavin and Stacey, a story of long-distance love between Essex and Wales.
It's already been shown here on TV ONE but for those who missed out, it's on at the more reasonable hour of 8.30pm on UKTV, starting on Friday.
You know I said I'm a Brit? Well, technically I'm Welsh so we'll have none of those sheep jokes, thank you very much.
I digress. Gavin and Stacey is written by Little Britain's James Corden and the brilliant Ruth Jones (Nighty Night, Saxondale) who play the best mates of the titular lovestruck duo.
What I saw of the first series was heartwarming stuff, lacking some of the surreality that typifies UK-based comedy, but a grower nonetheless with some great character acting.
Enough of my rabbiting - here's the blurb: Gavin is an ordinary boy from Billericay, Essex in south-east England. Stacey is an ordinary girl from Barry Island, south Wales. For months, they have spoken every day on the phone at work, and yet they have never met.
After countless conversations long-distance, Gavin and Stacey have become quite obsessed with each other: Stacey's desk is littered with photos of Gavin, and Gavin has been counting the days until he will finally get to meet his Barry Island babe in the flesh.
But when Gavin and Stacey finally meet and their ordinary worlds come together, we see - through their families, their friends and their differences - that there is no such thing as 'ordinary' after all. Will the course of true love run smoothly for our lovebirds, or will their family, friends and acquaintances bring everything crashing down?
Comments
Each to their own good man. lol
Sep 4 05:25 amAnyone living in Billericay would jump at the chance to go to Wales.I used to be stationed near there, and went through Billericay countless times.That part of Essex isn't pretty.Mark you some of the places I went to in Wales were just as bad.But the British Army were'nt too fussed about culture in the fifties.
Sep 4 01:14 pmComedy! Its taken a while in God's Own.But Billy T was superb. Then McPhail and Gadsby,The Conchords etc.But the modern stand-up comedian? Ugh! No thanks.