BBC’s ‘Gavin’ gaining steam
Second season has already been ordered
LONDON — Launching a new comedy with a target aud of cynical twentysomethings can be difficult, but BBC sitcom “Gavin and Stacey” is making inroads.
The fact that it is produced by Baby Cow Prods., the outfit owned by edgy British comedy star Steve Coogan, aroused expectations. And now, despite employing mostly unknown writers and cast, the show — which ends its six-part run on June 10 — a second season has already been ordered.
The program is a romantic, if offbeat, boy-meets-girl story that miraculously manages to be both charming and hip.
Gavin, a wholesome boy who still lives with his parents, and Stacey hail from opposite sides of the United Kingdom; part of the humor is derived from their different social and cultural backgrounds.
After beginning a relationship on the phone, the two meet and begin a whirlwind romance that seems headed to the altar.
In class-obsessed Blighty, Stacey’s blue-collar Welsh background is a notch or two below the more aspirational Essex (an English county famed for its gauche pop and sports celebrities) inhabited by Gavin, his friends and family.
Seasoned British thesp Alison Steadman is pitch perfect as Gavin’s mom while another experienced homegrown actor, Larry Lamb, plays the golf-obsessed jovial dad. And among the supporting characters, British comic Rob Bryden, playing Stacey’s strait-laced uncle, is brilliant.
While sex and alcohol are to the fore of the storylines, the heart of the series is the sometimes innocent, sometimes awkward relationship between the title characters.
“What I love about ‘Gavin & Stacey,’ I hope, is that it has real heart to it,” says co-writer Ruth Jones, who plays Stacey’s best friend, 40 year-old heavy-smoking Welsh nymphomaniac Nessa.
Nessa is a binge drinker keen on black eyeliner and leather accessories. One critic described her as one of British comedy’s most fully realized characters since “Little Britain,” the edgy sketch show, which also bowed on niche net BBC3.
In an interview with the Guardian, Jones added: “What I find a bit wearing is the cynicism that can be found in a lot of comedy. I think there’s something nice about doing a comedy series about real people but tuning into that slight madness that’s inherent in all our characters.”
“Gavin and Stacey” was co-written with fellow actor James Corden. He plays Gavin’s best buddy Smithy, a bar fly with a weight problem.
Corden’s acting credits include the film and stage versions of Alan Bennett’s “The History Boys.” In fact, Bennett encouraged Corden to write “Gavin and Stacey.”
Corden told the BBC: “Alan gave me such confidence and said to me, ‘James, you should write some of these ideas down because they’re really funny. There are lots of people who make people laugh now and again but you really have a chance, if you write these things down, to do something.’ And when Alan Bennett says that, you can’t really argue.”
My parents met in the 1950′s, my dad’s from Essex and my mother from the Rhondda, now in their 70′s they watched the whole re-run through until 1 am and LOVED it, they’re phoning all their friends to tell them to watch it too.
This HAS to move over to BBC2, we’ve recommended to so many people and they’ve ALL loved it. Quality writing, story lining and actor a pleasure to watch, plus The Hot Puppies on the sound track, so add great music to the list.
Best comedy I’ve seen on TV in a long time.
Thank you.
My parents met in the 1950′s, my dad’s from Essex and my mother from the Rhondda, now in their 70′s they watched the whole re-run through until 1 am and LOVED it, they’re phoning all their friends to tell them to watch it too.
This HAS to move over to BBC2, we’ve recommended to so many people and they’ve ALL loved it. Quality writing, story lining and acting a pleasure to watch, plus The Hot Puppies on the sound track, so add great music to the list.
Best comedy I’ve seen on TV in a long time.
Thank you.
Hi, I have watched all the Gavin and Stacey episodes and I now find that it is my favorite programe. Im also watching the re-run on bbc 2 and im hopeing that they will make it on dvd beacause its just so addicting! Is there any website were I can watch episode 1 beacause I really like that one. Thanks xx
The Gavin And Stacey – Series 1 DVD will soon be available on this site.
Can you tell me if the DVD is available in the format that allows it to be played in Canada? My sister lives there and I’d love to send it to her. She was home (to Barry) in the summer and, like me she thought that G&S was absolutely brilliant.We used to watch it and cry with laughter, but unfortunately she had to go back to Canada before the last episode, which I know she would love. It would make a great Xmas present for her.
hi there, i really love the show i think its fantastic, i loved fat friends too when that was on and did’nt miss an episode ever, i also love how Gavins mom Pam is so trendy, could someone please tell me where pam got that red coat with fur around the hood from? she was wearing it with white jeans and wellies when saying goodbye to staceys mom. sunday nights show 16.03.08 ive been looking for a coat just like that one, if anyone could help that would be great thanks x x