Mongrels

I just stumbled across this little gem on the BBC iplayer, and boy was I glad I did. I've been a huge fan of things like The mighty boosh, IT crowd, Dark place, and of course, monty python. This show is a definitely part of the same legacy.

The puppets are excellent and full of personality. They are so well controlled, you'd think they really were alive. The writing on this show is really exceptional. Its rare for me these days to look at something and say 'i cant believe they really did (or said) that!', but this show manages to get me every episode. There are some scenes in there which are so well scripted and timed, its simply genius.

The show certainly pushes the limits of good taste, but it does so in a good way. It wont be for everyone (prudes), but if you like humor, and are looking for something fresh, then you HAVE to see mongrels.

Tired of middle class, middle of the road, Vicar of Dibley toss? Then this maybe the show for you. Sharper than a new addicts needle, Mongrels gets closer and closer to the bone, til you feel like a onanists knuckle. As well as taking shots at minor celebs and serious personalities alike(all in bad taste of course), Mongrels has sex, violence, death, drugs and uhhh...mice. It leaves nothing sacred. The characters are all pretty unique and at the same time cliché enough to be familiar. Influenced by the Young Ones, this goes way beyond that in the darkness of it's humour, but it never seems bleak, perhaps because it has bunnies... And while it is black it is rarely lacks a cutting edge and If these were humans this would never get on telly. Bravo.

Mongrels in simple words is about city animals showing the true essence of urban dwellers. There's the scumbag Vince, the foreigner Marian, total bitchy teen Destiny and of course the modern meterosexual Nelson + the psychotic pigeon which does show some of the government hating people of the world. And after watching every episode around three times I can honestly say that this show is different in every manner- The characters are funny, the humor is so slapstick and crazy to a point that you wonder how the puppeteers get all the energy as well as the quick edits and frequent use of songs that are so well known they give a sense of sentimentality to the whole show. I think the show mainly works because of the male characters for unlike the two girls who are so over the top sometimes its hard to relate, most of the males are tamed down a little. The shows plots are inventive to say the least with story lines you wouldn't ever have imagined which I think is because unlike most adult comedy shows, it has animals as its characters which give a range of different stories that one could not usually use. Mongrels does tread the line a few times even going way past it in some of they jokes which a lot of people would find distasteful and would flick the channel over but after watching the first three episodes I eventually got accustomed and new that when watching the show there was always going to be something shocking but put in a comedic way. So if you want something that's fresh and new that has actually had some thought put into it, check out this show and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised. 10 stars.

The first time I watched Mongrels I was instantly captivated. I always loved the muppets and other "puppet" TV shows when I was younger, and during my 20's I missed that feeling of inanimate objects projecting an unreal world that is so close to our own in feeling and depth.

I have rarely laughed so much before watching Mongrels, with it's on-the-edge sarcasm and casual use of inappropriate language and scenarios, which most older people might find offensive.

The fact is, the creators and animators and writers have found a pleasant and modern blend of comedy, puppetry and life dilemmas which make this show so addictive. If they don't commision another season then I will be devastated.

This show holds no bars, and is not for the faint hearted but it has certainly given me many, many laughs in it's first season.

Thank you to all who were involved in it's making :-)

I watched this last night for the first time after being told it was set on the isle of dogs (where i live) behind the lord nelson pub (which i frequent). I had no expectations as i thought it was going to be a lame puppet show...how wrong was I.

yes its offensive and crude, which i know people have complained about. ( i actually love it for this reason, i cant believe they get away with some of the comments).

The puppets look great and have some classic one liners, my fave being the pigeon and the cat.

this is not a very constructive review but anyone who is not easily offended and likes gutter humour should check this out, i hope it gets a second series. fingers crossed.