From the relatable to the absurd, they're all here! (Gavin and Stacey)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Gavin and Stacey
Date:	14/02/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very funny

Disadvantages: title characters are weak

WHAT IS IT ABOUT:
This BBC sitcom centers on a Welsh family and an Essex family brought together through the relationship between Stacey and Gavin. The show is a character based comedy, that has run two series and a Christmas special, with more in the works.

IS IT ANY GOOD:
Again, this is a show that had so much buzz about it I couldn't resist but try it out. At first, I wasn't too impressed, as it seemed to have a lot of aspects that ripped off the Royle Family, but I soon got into it.

The comedy comes largely from two areas: relatability and the absurd. In that sense it's like a sketch show, in that it contains characters and events that are funny because they remind us of ourselves or our own family, and some that are funny because they're ridiculous.

On the relatable front comes Pam (Alison Steadman). As Gavin's doting mother, she is remarkably like my own mum: loud and affectionate, she often makes a fool of herself by saying or doing stupid things. An example of the absurd comes in Nessa (Ruth Jones) who has been everywhere and done everything. Also on this side comes Bryn, played by the phenomenal Rob Brydon. Bryn is as bizarre as they come, with many suggestions he's gay and has had a gay interaction with his nephew, but none of it is ever explained.

The main weakness of the show comes in Gavin and Stacey themselves, who are very one dimensional, weak and even annoying. This isn't actually much of a surprise as the show was written by James Cordon and Ruth Jones (Smithy and Nessa) who cleverly give themselves the funniest lines.

Season one and two were equally good, but the 2008 Christmas special was a bit OTT with forced gags and over-emotional scenes that felt out of place on the show.

IF YOU LIKED IT:
The Royle Family is another (better) show that has a lot you can relate to but also some craziness.

IN CONCLUSION:
A better than average comedy sitcom, but don't worry about the crimbo special.

Summary: watch it!