Writer: Drew Pearce
Director: Ben GregorCast: Nicholas Burns (Alex/The Hotness), Patrick Baladi (Devlin/Excelsor), Claire Keelan (Sarah/Electroclash), James Lance (Don/Timebomb), Rebekah Staton (Jenny/She-Force), Jim Howick (Simon/Thundermonkey), Steve Spiers (Norse Dave), Oliver Maltman (Doomball), Joe Cornish (Power Hour Presenter, voice), Josef Altin (Robber), Delroy Atkinson (Newsstand Vendor), Allun Corduner (Shopkeeper), Ginny Holder (TV Reporter) & Andrea Lowe (Vicci)
Dissecting comic-book superheroes and poking fun at their traditions is nothing new, but it's currently in vogue thanks to spandex capers like The Incredibles, Hancock, Heroes and next year's Watchmen. No Heroics is a sitcom existing in a parallel universe where superheroes are real and live amongst us, regularly saving humanity from disasters big and small. This being a British comedy (and a lowly ITV2 production) the potential is shrunk down considerably -- focusing on a small group of "capes" while they're off-duty drowning their sorrows at a pub called The Fortress, where using superpowers isn't permitted...The five main characters are: Alex/"The Hotness" (Nicholas Burns), a loser who can wield fire; Sarah/"Electroclash" (Claire Keelan), an amoral woman who can command machinery; Don/"Timebomb" (James Lance), a miserable Spanish lothario who can see 60 seconds into the future; Jenny/"She-Force" (Rebekah Staton), an overweight single woman with super-strength; and Delvin/"Excelsor" (Patrick Baladi), a boastful egotist who's currently the city's most successful superhero.
"Supergroupie" does a decent job of laying out this parallel universe, realizing its natural audience will be au fait with this unoriginal concept. The show also places black-comedy at the forefront of things; not allowing the comic-book world to overshadow the laughs entirely. Budgetary restraints probably had a big role to play in that decision, but it opens up the series to a wider audience. But don't worry, this is definitely not an ensemble variation of BBC1's My Hero. There's swearing, sexual themes, even gun violence. While never shocking, it does deserve its late-night timeslot.
This opener's story was split between Alex and Sarah, with the former deciding to sleep with obsessed groupie Vicci (Andrea Lowe), despite the fact she's only interested in The Hotness' minor celebrity and has unusual bedroom demands. The latter's storyline had Sarah refusing to help a sexist shopkeeper (Allun Corduner) when a gun-toting youth decides to rob him. Beyond those stories, everything centres around The Fortress pub, where Don secretly used his precognition to help singleton Jenny chat up men. Along the way we also met doorman Simon/"Thundermonkey" (Jim Howick), who has the ridiculous ability to summon simians. Unfortunately, the nearest monkeys are usually hours away...
There were some nice ideas and amusing lines in "Supergroupie", but not enough to last the distance. The whole thing seemed like a 5-minute sketch unnecessarily stretched to half an hour, and only succeeded because everything was new. Now that we've met the characters and been given a flavour of what to expect, hopefully it'll keep developing so that future episodes remain fresh. Otherwise, it's difficult to imagine a superhero comedy sustaining the laughs if the majority of each episode takes place in a pub where superpowers aren't allowed.
Nathan Barley's Nicholas Burns plays another saddo loser, although Alex isn't ignorant of his own shortcomings. He's unfortunately the least interesting character, as he's such an obvious personality to use in a superhero comedy -- and that could pose a problem, as he's presented as the "main" character. Claire Keelan (Burns' Nathan Barley co-star, coincidentally) is more intriguing, as Sarah's dishonourable attitude is fun and dramatic in a superhero context. It's also inherently funny to see her speak like a '70s-era Cylon to open tills, and whatnot.
James Lance could prove to be the best character as the Spanish straight-talker, but Timebomb is pushed into the background for most of this episode. Rebekah Staton barely gets anything to do as super-strong Jenny, so judgment will have to be reserved for now. Finally, Patrick Baladi is genuinely unlikeable as the grossly conceited Devlin, but not actually very funny along with it.
Overall, I was expecting a total stinker, but No Heroics actually has some potential. The main problem with "Supergroupie" (ignoring the fact an ITV2 budget can't do the concept justice) is that it wasn't particularly funny. There were wry smiles and occasional giggles, but I'm not sure this sitcom will please a geeky crowd expecting bigger thrills and imagination, while offering something worthwhile for everyone else.
A general rule for a successful sitcom is to include limitations with the situation, so No Heroics' pub setting obeys that. But, it then begs the question: do you really want a superhero comedy revolving around depressed people drinking together in a boozer? If the series can branch into the real world a bit more (budget allowing) and ensure its characters are funny without relying on their superpower gimmicks, then ITV2 could have a little cult hit on their hands...
... but it's not airborne yet.
18 September 2008
ITV2, 10.30pm
