Series 1. 03 Jul 06. BBC 2, 10:00 pm
WRITERS: Steve Coogan & Neil Maclennon DIRECTOR: Matt Lipsey
CAST: Steve Coogan (Tommy Saxondale), Ruth Jones (Magz), Rasmus Hardiker (Raymond), Morwenna Banks (Vicky) & Mark Williams (Deggsy)
The third episode of Steve Coogan's new sitcom sees curmudgeonly ex-roadie Tommy Saxondale meet up with old pal Deggsy (Mark Williams) following a funeral. The pair share a history of debauchery back in their hellraising days; although Tommy's lifestyle has since calmed in middle-age, whereas Deggsy is still young at heart and keen to relive their glory years...
Saxondale seems to have settled into its groove, with Coogan really impressing as the eponymous character. He's a character of calm delusion, piques of anger, facial chuntering and sage-like advice from someone whose best days are behind them. Coogan is a born performer and insightful mimic of personalities, totally embodying the role here.
Mark Williams (The Fast Show) has a welcome guest starring role as layabout Deggsy, always a great comedy presence and stooge for others to play off. There's a nice chemistry between Williams and Coogan, culminating in a quite wonderfully acted scene in an ambulance between the two friends.
Morwenna Banks returns as spiteful secretary Vicky, throwing a few more stinging put-downs in Tommy's direction. It's interesting how he seems totally unable to defend himself against Vicky, yet finds it quite easy to twist the knife into his anger-management tutor and various other frustrating people...
Unfortunately, the rest of the cast are pushed into the background entirely, particularly Ruth Jones' Magz. A shame, as I'm sure Jones would prove a capable comedienne in her own right... but she simply isn't getting the chance on the show.
Likewise, Rasmus Hardiker as forlorn teen Raymond, a natural and believable adolescent with practically nothing to do, despite the potential hinted at in the first episode with the father/son overtones between him and Tommy.
As usual, the jokes are of the well cultivated variety; carefully worded phraseology and remarks that are beautifully written and delivered, but not exactly gut-bustingly hilarious. A few moments hit the spot, particularly Tommy's remarks following Deggsy's leg amputation to girlfriend Magz, but Saxondale could do with a few more belly laughs. At the moment it's coasting by on the strength of Coogan's performance and the attention to detail in the writing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying Saxondale, and each week my enjoyment of Coogan's delivery increases, but I just hope the supporting characters begin to take on more life and the writers create some broader laughs to counterbalance the highbrow stuff.
