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.
