Ten Percent

I haven't seen the French original so can't compare the two. But this is a very poor effort. The dialogue is ripped straight from W1A and Twenty Twelve. Yeah, no, totally, no, yeah. There are few jokes, the series instead relies on the odd bit of farce and inconvenience to keep you amused. It's all well-made, but mildly amusing at its best. A waste of talent.

Inevitably there are comparisons with the original French series, which I loved. However, this holds up very well and I became quickly hooked.

It is beautifully cast - Lydia Leonard, Maggie Steed and Tim McInnerney are always worth watching in Anything. Most of the rest are very good - though Mr Davenport does seem rather weary of it all.

I really hope a 2nd series is produced. If it is, then Please build Miss Steeds character, and Mr McInnerney's. He reminded me of Richard Harris - and even sounded like him, several times.

Good stuff!

The French series was always going to be a difficult act to follow, and the British version somehow doesn't have the same warmth and finesse as the original.

A few points.

1. The introductory music is dreadful. It made us want to hit the stop button straight away.

2. In the French series, the real-life Actors and Agents were indistinguishable from each other, it was that good. This series has been patchy and I don't think the casting is quite as good, although I love Tim McInerney.

3. Everyone is over-polite to with each other. My French isn't good enough to compare to the original

4. The production values are great and the choice of stars is wonderful. With Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West particularly good.

5. I don't think the writing is as engaging as it was in the original. It's a pity as the series on its own is perfectly watchable.

Initially it seemed awkward and contrived, but looking at it without considering Call My Agent, I think it is working quite well. One of the characters looks like she is trying to be an actress in Twenty-Twelve, and it is almost embarrassing, but I do not think they are replicas of the French production, and I am enjoying it. Especially if they continue to relax.

I really hope this gets a second series. You do need to stick with it and after 3 episodes I was hooked. The characters, the star cameos (Kelly Macdonald was a great one) and the quick wit make it something different and fun.

I haven't seen the original series this is based on so can't compare but you can tell that it has French influence.