Amandaland

Most of the poor reviews are from people who barely watched the first episode. Seems they were determined not to like it from the start. It's utterly brilliant. Amanda isn't likeable, that's the point, but she shows a few sparse moments of vulnerability, of needing to be loved, of shedding the aspirational veneer. People are missing the point! Lucy Punch is brilliant, as is Philippa Dunne. I split my sides as Anne recognises Amanda outside the school. Her reaction? Priceless and so funny. The new cast had a lot to live up to but they do so splendidly. Mal is a perfect foil to Amanda; I'm sure we will see more of the two of them if there is another series. Yes, I miss Kevin, who wouldn't, but these bite-sized, half hour episodes are perfect for a post-work pick me up. Whoever can't find this series hilarious or at least funny needs a personality reset. Don't believe their humbug and watch it all - right to the end! LOVED IT!

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.

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...

Just watch it - if you're English/and or live in London and have witnessed the 'yummy mummy' tribe being passive aggressive at school collection time will know just how painfully accurate this show is Lucy Punch is awesome and the attention to detail in each storyline is wonderful, and perfectly encapsulates the general strain of living in London, raising children and trying to be a trend setter... Motherland felt like it slightly ran out of steam whereas this feels like as long as Amanda's ego keeps running wild then there's plenty of material left to explore. It's also a joy to see Anne going even more extreme - again another great performance...,

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...