Amandaland

In short:

It's hard to root for Amanda, She needed a redeeming moment straight away so we could champion her, so unfortunately she's still the horrible person we saw in motherland.

Motherland is better, but I wouldn't be against watching a 2nd series.

I wrote quite a detailed, slightly negative review of this originally that took a lot of time and effort and for some reason it was deleted, hmmmm..

So that's why I gave the quick review up top.

And for the synopsis:

Recently divorced Amanda must navigate parenting teenagers in new surroundings after downsizing and moving to South Harlesden in London...

On first three episodes it is pretty solid stuff. Fans of Motherland may be a little disappointed as it's not quite as well rounded as that but stands on its own two feet.

Nothing brand new, and some of the gags are telegraphed a little too obviously but still many memorable one liners in each episode.

All the main cast fit their characters very well. Lucy Punch is good, very believable.

Reminded me a bit of I'm Alan Partridge S2 when he's living in the portacabin and struggling to get back on his feet. Cringe humour but not overdone.

Cannot believe there really is a KBK kitchen shop in Leytonstone...

A decent BBC sitcom.

I have not watched Motherland but I will now as I did enjoy this spin off.

I watched it because of trailers on the BBC and because Joanna Lumley is in it. Lumley can be credited with at least 4 of the stars in my rating of Amandaland. Her character is not too far removed from Patsy Stone so of course she is brilliant.

For the rest, even though I found parts of the first couple of episodes cringeworthy I did binge watch the series to see if it got any better. Either it did, or, I warmed to the characters and the style of comedy. The comedy is often delivered subtly and dry as it is in real life. When it is slapstick that's when it becomes cringeworthy. The Irish ladies Anne and Della are given the best comedic lines. I was wondering why there were 2 Irish characters featuring prominently in a London-based comedy, reading other reviews it seems this may be the legacy of Motherland. Anyways they are 2 funny ladies. As for Amanda herself, I wonder if her character is based on a real life Amanda we all know?

This spin-off series is absolutely what we've been waiting for! It's hilarious, witty and entertaining, laugh out loud in pretty much every single scene and situation! I adore Amanda in this! I find her relatable, and embracing! She's so funny and comical! I love the new character too! So interesting and dimensional! I will be rewatching this again and again just like I have done with Motherland! Amanda is even more funny and hilarious in this spin-off! She's always been one of my favourites in the original show and in so happy they made this much needed show! It's really brightened my gloomy February and brought some much loved joy and warmth to it! Thank you!

Too many people are expecting it to feel the same which in many ways, it does. It's got the same humour and little glimpses of Amanda's old life crack through.

I think it definitely needs to be long term as it was really funny.

However, the kids need some good acting classes because some of it was abysmal at times..

Episode One is really the only one I would miss on a re watch as the actors begin to find their feet. It's got a good story but it isn't as funny as the rest of the series.

Lucy Punch is brilliant in the role and it's nice to see her back on our screens. We just need a few cameos in the future from Liz and Julia. And maybe Kevin but he's a bit annoying...