I don’t watch a lot of British television. I know we’re supposedly living in a Golden Age, and things like Bodyguard, Line of Duty, and Killing Eve are popular around the world. British TV seems to be getting darker and darker, with everything being about torture or kidnap or lengthy police procedurals. Frankly, I get all the drama I can cope with from Neighbours, and so most of the rest of my watching is sitcoms – and the UK hasn’t been very good at sitcoms for quite a while. The US knocks it out the park. There are always loads being piloted, and a substantial number of them are very good.
Over the past few years, I’ve been obsessed with Superstore, New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Happy Endings, Parks and Recreation, The Mindy Project, Community, Great News. They’re all amazing, and I’m sure I’m missing more. Pop up to Canada to add the brilliant Schitt’s Creek to the list. But in the UK? Miranda was great fun, but I can’t think of any other sitcoms I’ve enjoyed for ages – and there are so few being commissioned now. In the 70s and 80s, even with a tiny number of channels, there were loads. Where are the days of The Good Life, To The Manor Born, Fawlty Towers, and more?
Well, it’s not quite like those sitcoms – but the best British sitcom in decades (in my opinion) is about to start its third and final series on Wednesday: Mum. Please don’t confuse it with the terrible US sitcom Mom (seriously, Alison Janney, what are you thinking?). This one has been quietly growing an audience, and a lot of critical respect, in showing the years after Cathy’s husband David dies.
Cathy is played by the sublime Lesley Manville, who has a long and illustrious career as an actor – notably in Mike Leigh’s films – and whom I first saw a handful of years ago in the excellent Another Year (which I wrote about at the time). As she grieves, she is also Mum to Jason – an adult (just), but very dependent, and endearingly and lovingly stupid. His girlfriend Kelly lives with them, and she is equally dim but endlessly enthusiastic and longing to be part of the family life. Lisa McGrillis’s performance is extraordinary – she is bubbly and slightly annoying, and over the course of the first series you gradually discover how she has been damaged in the past and what lies beneath this chatty exterior. The other main cast are Peter Mullan’s Michael, a diffident Scotsman who was David’s closest friend; Derek, Cathy’s hapless brother, and his snobby wife Pauline; and David’s parents Reg and Maureen.
Like all the best sitcoms, this is equally moving and hilarious. Cathy is an ironic observer of the absurdities around her – whether that’s Pauline’s insistence that she feel the superior texture of her non-NHS arm cast, or Reg’s horror at the idea of eating dips. We see everything she is not saying, and how she takes pleasure in the ridiculousness around her – while at the same time watching her grief for David evolve over the years (each episode is set several months apart). Some of the characters may be heightened, but there is a very real heart to everything that is happening, and a closeness that a witty, quip-laden sitcom wouldn’t get close to.
If Lesley Manville’s performance is the linchpin of Mum, then Stefan Golaszewski’s writing is the underlying genius. Like many British sitcoms, it’s written by one person rather than a writer’s room – substantially easier when there are six episodes in each series, rather than 24. His observations about the ways families work are marvellous, and his ability to draw comedy out of subtle interactions is astonishing. Highlights that spring to mind from episodes I’ve recently been re-watching include giving directions to a carvery, shallots, whether or not it’s possible to hate Holly Willoughby, and the Easter story. And then you can be hit by an extremely emotional moment – for example, Reg saying to his wife “They’re talking about David.” Nothing is added – we just see the reactions of two old people thinking about their dead son, and proud that he is being discussed.
This sort of writing doesn’t come along very often, and this sort of ensemble cast is rare as well. In a British televisual world where tense showdowns and assassins seem the flavour of the day, do seek out the quiet brilliance of Mum – previous two series available on iPlayer, and the third series starting tomorrow.
Have not watched a single episode, but having read your recommendation, will now rectify this omission!
I couldn’t agree more Simon – I absolutely love ‘Mum’ and am forever recommending it to people, most of whom look at me as if I am mad.
The performances are, as you say, sublime, as is the writing. And Lisa McGrillis is just brilliant, she gradually reveals more and more, and we realise that there are reasons why she is the way she is. It’s so touching how well Cathy understands her. And of course Lesley Manville and Peter Mullan are wonderful. I have my fingers crossed for a happy ending to this, the last series.
The role of Kelly could easily have been a one-note joke and she’s SO good. And yes, fingers crossed!
Have heard good things about this, must give it a try. I share your opinions re telly in many ways but ‘Fleabag’, ‘Catastrophe’’, and ‘Pulling’ have been good inventive sitcoms I believe.
Oh yes, Catastrophe is great!
Fleabag (both series) are astoundingly good!
I tried one episode, but it was a bit too lewd for me (though I did love Waller-Bridge’s writing in Crashing – which, given the success of her later ventures, looks like it won’t get another series).
I love Mum too.
Hear, hear hear!
I’ve enjoyed Mum so far as well. Friday Night Dinner has been my favourite from recent years and Inside No. 9 too.
“British TV seems to be getting darker and darker…” I know what you mean, Simon. Must give this a try. Inside No 9, which Johnathan mentions, has been recommended to me too. I’ve only seen one of those, in which a group of adults were playing sardines. I found it a bit wierd.
You are so right that Mum is superb 🙂
But so wrong that we lack great comedies ☹️…
Judging by your book insights I’m sure that the following-
Rev, portrayed by Tom Hollander in an inner city parish.
The Dectectorists , written and staring Mackenzie Crook .
This Country, another look at rural life, from a very different perspective ,again writers Daisy May & Charlie Cooper star.
Lee and Dean , part improvised like the brilliant Peepshow.
another poignant masterpiece.
– will prove my point 😘
Yes, I was trying to think of some of these when i replied the first time – Rev is fantastic, as is This Country. Are there going to be any more series of the latter? I think This Country in particular reminds me of Mum – every character gradually reveals more of him/herself, and people who start out as funny soon become much more than that as we begin to see what’s behind their behaviour.
I had forgotten about This Country – great shout, both of you. I didn’t see Rev and now it doesn’t seem to be on streaming anywhere…
Totally agree about “The detectorists” as good as anything I have seen in the 70’s and 80’s.
Love Mum – its wonderful and cannot wait (but bittersweet) last season. Oh My when Cathy finally held Michael’s hand! I also think the Detectorists was brilliant as was Dont forget the Bus Drive (both Toby Jones) and also loved Derek and Afterlife (Ricky Gervais).
Yes, I loved Don’t Forget the Driver too – Toby Jones is so versatile and talented, such a nuanced performance in this.
Many people have suggested a number of sitcom that you might have missed, I would also add to those mentioned the following
The IT Crowd, Black Books (surprised you didn’t see that one set as it is in a bookshop), Absolutely Fabulous, Dead Pixels.
Lots out there in my view :-)
Oh, I love the IT Crowd and Black Books, but I was only thinking about sitcoms that are still airing – believe it or not, it’s been 15 years since Black Books finished!
I’ve enjoyed Mum too, but also Two Doors Down which I thought was only being shown in Scotland until some friends in England mentioned it as being a favourite of theirs.
So agree with you about Mum – my daughter was reviewing it for a newspaper and told me I should watch it and she was so right. I have now seen all three series (binge-watched like a young person!) and she and I have been swapping our favourite moments. I loved Kelly saying ‘I am as sad as the sisters of Lazarus’ – it is so unexpected and sweet. But a million quotable bits…