The Televigion Week - Assumptions (26/11/24)
Dinosaur, Only Child and The Listeners, all of which surprised me
It will become apparent that I have watched a little more TV than usual this week. This is due to the sudden inability of my lower back to function normally, as brought on by drying my legs after a shower. So I've been laid up in bed, mostly, with a lot more time to watch. Unfortunately the accompanying pain did make it harder than usual to concentrate, so we are still limited to three items, though I've watched more individual episodes than I might usually. And Wolf Hall has remained a magical escape.
This week's title is Assumptions, because what I thought I was going into for all three of the shows was not at all what I got out. There IS high quality Scottish comedy on TV! And not every cool looking show is any good! Obviously I also assumed I'd be fully mobile and able to sit in a chair for more than 30 minutes at a time, but it is well known that assumptions make fools out of both parties1.
Dinosaur
Dinosaur Series 1 Episode 1 on iPlayer
Having just won two Scottish Baftas, and from that a second series commission, I thought it was probably time to watch a Scottish comedy I'd avoided earlier in the year. I had avoided it due to my own comedy snobbery and personal experiences of the stand up community nearly fifteen years ago2, but I'm very glad I got over myself, as it appears to be a little sitcom gem.
Although I mostly left it out of the Televigual analysis of Stevens and McCarthy, one of my pet peeves of Scottish comedy is an assumption that everything is played for the lowest common denominator; often relying on Scottish stereotypes, dialect and slang to give it identity and at worst, as the only punchlines. Limmy's Show and Burnistoun choose to subvert that by using the language of Scotland that the creators know and use, but have unique and interesting comedy ideas behind every sketch. Still Game aims at a broader audience so often goes for that easy target laugh I'm not a fan of, but does also manages to find delightful character study and charm. I'll not bother listing examples I don't like.
So I was worried that Dinosaur would fail that test for me. But it doesn't! It starts off with a clear and natural sibling dynamic between Nina, a 30 year old paleontologist with an autism diagnosis, played by Ashley Storrie3 who co-created the show, and her impulsive sister Evie who just got engaged after six weeks of dating, played by Kat Ronney. I instantly assumed she was played by the co-creator Matilda Curtis4, as that is my ambition and assumption, but no. Matilda Curtis is listed as the sole writer in a number of places, so I am interested in how the creative process has worked on this show5. Regardless, it's very good.
I've watched three episodes as of now, and am enjoying many things; Nina's love interest Lee (that's no spoiler, it's pretty obvious from their well-handled meet-cute in episode 1 at the coffee van that is his role), that autism is part of the world but not everything the show is about, and some really excellent jokes and one-liners. It does have some trouble pulling off farce in both episodes 2 and 3 and Evie's fiancé Ranesh is too much of a caricature to care for fully, but it remains charming6. Assumption destroyed.
Only Child
This is a brand new sitcom about an only son going home for a quick visit to his elderly father in the Northeast of Scotland, who ends up staying longer than expected. Greg McHugh plays the son Richard Pritchard (great sitcom name), and Gregor Fisher the father Ken, and based on that casting I had some preconceptions. My image of Greg McHugh is Gary: Tank Commander, which is absolutely not to my taste, though I should have remembered he was also quite good in the bits of Fresh Meat I saw. Gregor Fisher is obviously a Scottish comedy legend, but probably not a guaranteed draw for me either, being too young to appreciate Rab C Nesbitt, though I do remember seeing it a lot growing up. This show premiered on Thursday 21st November, so I feel very smug to be writing about it now. I'm almost current!
It is written by Bryce Hart7 and directed by Al Campbell8 and despite my preconceived misgivings, it feels like there is a little more hope for the state of sitcom thanks to this broad appeal show with fresh and funny jokes.
It starts full of energy with some jaunty pop I should probably recognise if I had any knowledge of music. It also starts with some fun visual comedy of an old acquaintance stealing meat and being caught by the butcher (also an old acquaintance). For anyone who hasn't read the blurb beforehand, it swiftly tells the story of Richard being on an overdue trip home simply and with confidence. It ends up being a funny three part running joke too.
There's a brilliantly executed joke about an iPad that Ken can't access, and about why you go to funerals. After a few minutes, it seems like a Yogi Show - "smarter than your average sitcom".
It does fall into some of the traps of a first episode, with a full on "potential love interest exposition dump" and not all of the jokes are at the level of the ones I mentioned above. But they are all very well sold by talented actors. Including a sneaky audio-only Jennifer Saunders, as Richard's terrible agent. She delivers the joke of the episode, involving bees. I will say no more.
As usual, the most work has gone into a first episode script and setting up the world, but episodes 2 and 3 still have some brilliant lines, great visual comedy and touching relationships, even when the situations slip too far into cliché.
I'll do a quick update on the remaining episodes next week, but I advise you all to watch this as soon as you need some comedy.
The Listeners
I had high hopes for this show, based solely on the premise and the trailer. It felt like a new sci-fi adjacent miniseries, with the potential for horror elements. Not that I knew this going in, but it is adapted by the author and playwright Jordan Tannahill from his own novel.
As in the two examples above, my assumption was also wrong. It started badly for me with a disappointing clip-show exposition narration of what the show is going to be about before the titles. It felt very tacked on, potentially based on a lack of confidence in the material, or a focus group or executive's notes.
Overall the writing felt very on the nose, not believable or subtle, and a bit too self-serious. Characters saying the research the author had probably done, as dialogue to each other is never very convincing. It also veered quite often into cliche9 and I was desperate for a few more moments of levity as contrast to the portentous and ominous tone. I can't be alone in thinking that having some variety in your tone makes every element hit a little bit harder?10 I've been most terrified or worried when I've also laughed at a set of characters. And I've laughed the most when I believe the people involved have real internal lives and things are at stake.
It is worth mentioning that Rebecca Hall is amazing, the moment where she looks so lost when her daughter tells her she needs "actual help" is heartbreaking. But after episode 1 I'm really worried (as I was from reading about the show initially and seeing the trailer beforehand) that it is in some way excusing an inappropriate teacher-pupil relationship. There had better be a very good reason for it being a pupil and a teacher being drawn together. That makes it sound like I might keep going, but I currently "have the ick" about where it is headed. Another one to update on next week most likely.
As-sum-up-tions
Now that I'm not doing a numbered list of what I've watched (don't you like the new formatting?) I need a title to show I'm finishing up. I don't promise it'll be a terrible pun on the post title every time, but I'll try.
It's not groundbreaking to say "forget your assumptions and just watch things", but that's where we've ended up. Two happy surprises and one disappointment isn't bad.
The Televigion Backlist
We're going to establish some rules for this potentially unwieldy list. Any entry has a timer, updated every week - New Entry, Still Here, Last Chance, then it goes. If it hasn't made it onto my screen in three weeks, it would seem it is not for me. I will listen to anyone's entreaties to re-add a previously deleted entry of course.
LAST CHANCE Territory (Netflix)
LAST CHANCE The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
LAST CHANCE Scavenger's Reign (Netflix)
LAST CHANCE Shogun (Disney+)
STILL HERE Deadpool and Wolverine (Disney+)
NEW ENTRY Barry (Now/Sky TV) - Inspired by lots of SNL watching from 15 or so years ago, I'd like to give this Bill Hader show about a hitman who discovers acting another try. Same for Last Man on Earth, due to the reminders of the brilliance of Will Forte (ideally also MacGruber, but it isn't available anywhere I have access to).
NEW ENTRY Last Man on Earth (Disney+) - See above. It's about what it sounds like, then quickly isn't, from what I remember.
Footnotes
As I believe the saying goes, no notes.
Yes, I'm a failed stand up. But I have the perspective now to see why it wasn't for me, and I think at its worst it is an environment that fosters self-centring, living at a remove from those around you, and rewards an ultra-competitive and cut-throat nature. #notallstandups #butmostofthem
Here is an interesting interview on her experience as an autistic person, and what the show means for her
The initial Google of Matilda Curtis told me on line one that she is the daughter of Elizabeth McGovern and Simon Curtis - is it fair that as soon as I see famous parents, I feel immediately less belief in the offspring's innate talent? It's probably just jealousy, and we all have our own privileges.
It started life as a single pilot in 2021, then the series was released this year. I can't find a longer interview with Matilda Curtis about the show, but this is a good set of interviews with most of the cast and explains the writing process. It also both slightly confirms and slightly confounds my pre-conceptions of Ashley Storrie. And Sanjeev Kohli seems to agree with my take on Scottish comedy!
Also, Ranesh's pasta eating in episode 1 did genuinely set off my misophonia, so I can vouch for at least that being well represented.
Not someone I know, though I do recognise the AppleTV series Still Up as something I had heard of
An accomplised director by the look of it, but inevitably forever known as Barry Shitpeas, talking head on various Charlie Brooker shows
Do couples really brush their teeth together in front of a mirror or is that just a TV thing? At least the brushing competitiveness between the married couple was a fun touch.
I love the idea that the slow zoom on Henry Hoover in the middle of episode 1 is an early reveal that he is the big bad! As I made that note while watching, I realised that the excessive notes were because I sensed this held itself as "a serious show" without humour. First sign of trouble for me.
Dinosaur was brilliant! If anyone's reading from Canada, it's still available on CBC Gem.