Changing Ends

There are two shows that this Alan Carr effort really remind me of.

This is a 1980s version of two 1970s classics. The Dudley based Grimleys that starred Amanda Holden, Brian Conley, James Bradshaw and the real star turn, Noddy Holder. Then there was the much too short lived and brilliant Cradle to Grave. Difficult to look past the tour de force that was Peter Kay, utter genius in C2G (ably abetted by the fantastic Lucy Speed).

Hopefully Changing ends gets a longer run than Cradle to Grave which was criminally short at 6 episodes.

We've obviously moved far enough away from the 1980s to be able to eulogise it in the way that Ashes to Ashes etc. Did for the 1970s.

Carr's personal intrusions are well timed and well written, particularly the Prince / George Michael gag (Too soon?)

There are little lines like "Touch my Blue Nun and you're out" which will resonate with anyone born late 1960s hitting the full force of 1980s UK naffness at the Beefeater with Prawn Cocktail and Black Forest Gateau.

The star of it all, Oliver Savell, does an excellent job portraying the young Carr and hopefully he will have the career he wants from this like Laurie Kynaston and James Bradshaw before him.

The soundtrack is excellent too. So all in all an excellent first series that doesn't drag or outstay its welcome. Here is to more...It would be good to take this to sixth form. So at least 3 more series please.

Was really good, very funny. The young boy who plays young Alan was amazing you would really think it was Alan as a young boy. Quite emotional at times, sad getting picked on at school that you would try not to be yourself. But it's definitely a good watch. Takes you back to the 80s so quite nostalgic. The mum and dad were very good aswell. A very good cast and storylines. I really hope there will be another series. I binge watched it very quickly definitely would like to see more. Think it will be a big success. Alan playing himself in it too and being the voice over was also very good. Gets thumbs up for me for sure.

Just a very funny, sincere, very well acted comedy. For Brits of a certain age, the 80s references and nostalgia are spot on, much of it too obscure I'm sure for those not there at the time to appreciate fully.

Much of the comedy comes from two ongoing situations: the catty relationship between Alan's mum and the neighbours who live opposite, which mainly consists of a trade in (sharply witty) back-handed insults, and the other situation of course being Alan's campness, oddball unconformity, his path to discovering that he is gay.

A couple of reviews here have given totally unjust 1 ratings, citing that it's just a one trick gag which wears thin, but I didn't find that at all. I was chuckling throughout every episode. The campness of the young Alan is so well done, and the writing so on point, that it remains funny even after 12 episodes.

I'm not sure how non-Brits will receive this comedy, maybe it works fine, but I would highly recommend for Brits anyway.

Writing this having watched two seasons, and glad to hear that a further two seasons are planned.

It's not perfect, nothing is. It gets 10 because it's as good as you get from this type of nostalgice wishy washy comedy soap.....

How BORING are the reviews whining about it/ Not sure what they're after or what makes them happy, but for me this is perfect eighties nostalgia fora Britain I didn't even grow up in... But Australia was similar, the bloody eighties was odd af no matter where you were..... Sydney back then was like this..

I loved the Football element and how it was so easily brished aside despite being so important to dad.. I loved the mums support and backing of her son no matter what and the dad who backed him too..

Over all it ticked boxes, thoughtful funny and entertaining... if not ten then what?

Initially watched this for some real 80s nostalgia and this didn't disappoint. This soon became secondary to the absolutely phenomenal acting. This was a binge watch from the start, casting and acting is on another level mix this with a hilarious and sometimes sad story.

This really is a hidden gem and provides an insight into an amazing man. It's clear that Alan was always destined to be a star and I'm honoured that he shared his story with us and I'm sure he is proud of the amazing actors that brought his story to life.

The only problem is six episodes.. we need more.. I hope season two is coming soon and up the cobblers!