Series 1. 19 Jun 06. BBC 2, 10:00 p.m
WRITERS: Steve Coogan & Neil Maclennan DIRECTOR: Ben Miller
CAST: Steve Coogan (Saxondale), Ruth Jones (Magz), Rasmus Hardiker (Raymond) & Morwenna Banks (Vicky)
The shadow of Alan Partridge has hung over comedian Steve Coogan for over 10 years now; a creation Coogan has attempted to better with little success (Tony Ferrino, anyone?) Fresh from mixed film success (the highs of 24 Hour Party People, the lows of Around The World In 80 Days), Coogan makes a return to British sitcom territory in BBC 2's Saxondale. Here, Coogan plays the titular Tommy Saxondale, a middle-aged ex-roadie with anger management issues, who now runs a pest control service…As a character, Saxondale is refreshingly different from Partridge in most respects -– less a pompous social misfit, more a weary dreamer still clinging to his past. With whisps of grey hair, mottled beard and bright yellow Ford Mustang, Coogan brings a perfectionist touch to characterisation, with only the faintest trace of Partridge detectable. The writers also go to great lengths to make Saxondale a realistic character with embellished comic traits (such as a visual flair that only fictional characters can wield believably.)
The supporting cast are also first rate. Although the first episode is primarily focused on establishing Saxondale's personality and lifestyle, Ruth Jones (Little Britain's Myfanwy, Nighty Night's Linda) impresses as girlfriend Magz, a grungy free spirit who spends her days printing obscene T-shirts and listening to roadie anecdotes.
Improbably named Rasmus Hardiker plays teenaged hired-hand Raymond; not given many gags in this episode, but blessed with a naïve and good-natured look many real teenagers have. He should provide a good straight-man for Saxondale's rhetoric and the generation gap has already born fruit (with their opposing ideas of DJ-ing; Saxondale's wedding and birthday parties, Raymond's Paul Oakenfold raves…)
One particularly memorable performance comes from Morwenna Banks' secretary Vicky, an acid-mouthed critic of Saxondale who gets some choice lines and should provide plenty of antagonism in the series.
The first episode has Saxondale interviewing oddballs for a job as his right-hand man in his pest control operation ("simply the pest"), and it's here you get a vague sense that The Office has influenced Coogan's new sitcom; the laugh-track (a mainstay of I'm Alan Partridge) is noticeably absent, and Saxondale's interviewing technique is clearly inspired by David Brent. "Anthropomorphosising", indeed…
Coogan and co-writer Neil Maclennon deserve a lot of credit for this opening episode. It effectively sets the tone, introduces all the characters equally well, provides some memorable scenes (the interviews, bedroom pornography, warehouse pest control), and is littered with beautifully phrased dialogue. Coogan acquits himself very well and makes Saxondale a quite unlikely hero –- a final stand-off with some Animal Rights Activists provides Saxondale with the opportunity for some un-PC retribution that should provide a grin. It's about time we saw a return to comic characters with wit and a superior attitude (unseen since the days of Blackadder, really.)
Saxondale may not rewrite the rules of sitcom a la The Office, and it's unlikely Saxondale himself will prove as enduring and quotable as Alan Partridge, but for now this promises to be a very entertaining comedy series with great performances, strong characterisation, and a keen ear for witty dialogue…
