Only Child

I watched episode one and was severely disappointed with the script and the fact that there was absolutely nothing funny about the story being told or the way it was presented. I gave the series a chance with episode two and was again disappointed. The script is like it has been written by Some junior script writers following a training manual there is no flair or skill on show - not even flashes.

I thought Emily and Diggsy were both good characters and they added a bit of watch ability to what was otherwise a dreary though bland comedy. Diggsy childhood memory and raisin eating was the high point.

I really don't understand the quality of Talent that the BBC have that use their skill expertise and judgement to assess that this is the sort of show that should be getting made when there is so much talent out there. Whoever commissioned this should be fired. It's that bad.

I really wanted to like this with two actors having such good pedigree. Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh (Rab C Nesbitt and Gary Tank Commander) but their past triumphs probably gave me high expectations that this would be funny.

Whenever I see a description now that says gentle or warm hearted comedy I expect to be disappointed and this lives up (or down) to my expectations.

I've watched two episodes and that's enough. If those have not raised a smile I don't think any masochistic additional viewing will help.

Pity.

It's alright going for pathos but don't call it a comedy if it doesn't raise a laugh.

Was expecting a comedy, but got a gentle comedic drama. The first episode didn't know which direction to go, but the actors carried it enough.

The second sets into a familiar situation for many, and there is enough humour to make you chuckle along with the set ups.

It has a slight feel of the A plan which Greg Mchugh was also in, replace autism with dementia. So I suspect he is on the production team, I haven't looked, but if he is he had used Christopher Ecclestona character with Gregor.

Jennifer Saunders on the phone of the agent, is fun. But obviously took a lot of influence from Toast of Londons agent.

Worth a watch under the influence or whilst laid up in bed I'll, but not appointment to view, it's not to be confused with still game, or rab c nesbit.

This will hit home hardest with those who have/are experiencing the central theme that this show revolves around.

Hopefully it will get a 2nd series so that the storylines laid out can be explored.

The acting is very good. There is a lot of scope for the world created in these 6 episodes.

Cons: Some of the comedy one-liners are predictable. The writing could be sharpened.

There's not much more to say. I'm just filling up the character count now. I have to go for a sigmoidoscopy tomorrow morning. I've spent most of this evening on the lav after gulping down a jug of laxative. I'm not having sedition for the procedure tomorrow as I have to drive. Pfft. I dunno. I'm not looking at the screen. I have no interest in what's up there; because I know what comes out.

Richard pays a visit on his dad Ken, twelve months after his mother Jean died. Keen to pay a flying visit, Richard discovers his dad needing a little bit of care and support.

Are some of the reviews based solely on the first episode, that's what it looks like, a first episode that sets the scene, introduces the character and situation, but fails to provide the laughs, from episode two onwards, it finds its feet.

Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh are great as the father and son combination, they bounce off one another well, I just loved the odd job man in episode two, he was hilarious.

Give it a chance, it may not always be side splitting, but it has its moments, and at times it can be rather moving.

Is it me or has Gregor Fisher transformed into Frank Carson, if ever a role comes up to play the famous comedian, Fisher gets the job.

The best new BBC comedy for a long time.

8/10.