Two comedies currently providing much enjoyment at From Beer
to Paternity Towers are Catastrophe on Channel 4 and Uncle, which was a sleeper
hit on BBC3 last year and is about to return for a second series.
Catastrophe is written by Sharon Horgan, who co-wrote the
excellent adult sitcom, Pulling, a few year ago, and American actor-writer Rob Delaney. They play a Londoner and an American who find themselves
parents-to-be after a passionate fling ends up with a baby en route.
It’s beautifully written and beautifully under-played, with none of
the cast grasping for laugh lines. And even though it can occasionally mine
uncomfortable territory (birth trauma, cancer, social awkwardness), it still
manages to be very human with both central characters eminently likeable. It
also boasts a cameo from Carrie Fisher, while the superb Ashley Jensen features in a supporting role.
Series two of Uncle gets under way any day now and Nick Helm
still excels as the loveable but emotionally stunted loser of the title, with the excellent Elliot Speller-Gillott as his
strait-laced and neurosis-laden nephew, Errol, whose own trial through teenage-dom
continues to delight.
Catastrophe is currently on Channel 4 and is well worth a catch-up
if you’ve missed it. Uncle is well worth a series record when it kicks off.
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