A lovely series, brilliantly acted, written and conceived. Beautiful country locations in Norfolk.
It doesn't really fit into a box - there are laughs now and again but it's not a gag-based show despite the Fast Show connection. Presumably this didn't help it succeed in Britain, where it was totally overshadowed by the unpleasant and unfunny Nighty Night. Typical.
You could almost shed a tear as Billy laments his failings in his discussions with Heartbeat, his "minder". Then again you could cackle loudly as he tries to explain his other minders, the gay coppers, to his would-be girlfriend Jemima. ("Drink fires his muse" - sublime).
I read tonight that a) this is coming out on DVD soon. Odd decision but excellent news, and b) there was an attempt to get the beeb to commission a second series but they wouldn't play ball.
My cunning plan is to agitate a huge wave of "Grass" DVD purchases, persuading to BBC to think again and do the right thing - re-commission Grass, or it's natural successor and stop producing tiresome tosh like Man Strokes Woman or the utterly predictable "seen one episode, seen them all" Little Britain. (Well, I suppose that's had it's day but you know what I mean).
Do yourself a favour - if you haven't seen it - buy this DVD. If you have then you're unlikely to need any prompting from me.
"A Sausage Sandwich for the Soul" - available from all good bookshops.
