Funny Woman

I am old enough to remember all of the sixties, though I was more or less still a child when the decade ended. The period detail, in terms of scenery etc seems authentic. The characters are more or less right, except, whilst feminism became a thing during the sixties, it wasn't, I think, quite such a big deal as it is for the cast here. The show writers here are obviously meant to be Galton and Simpson (albeit that those writers are referenced by the characters) and I guess that Dennis is Dennis Main-Wilson. The two main characters of the show within the show being an unmarried couple though is a bit anachronistic. Yes, in the cinema the reality of life was being portrayed, in stuff like A Taste Of Honey, Poor Cow, Up the Junction etc and I think it may have been touched upon in TV drama, but not in the sitcoms everyone sat down to at 7.30pm. Anyway, it's not quite real but it's amusing enough.

I largely enjoyed Funny Woman but I do understand the negative reviews. The problem, IMO, is the show is about a woman in comedy in the 1960s and not actually a comedy.

Gemma Arterton plays Barbara Parker, an attractive woman who learned to love comedy from her father. The show is about Barbara rebelling against the stereotypes associated with being an attractive woman and wanting to make her own way.

When it sticks to that premise, it's fantastic. We see Barbara fighting to be comedic when everyone else just wants to see her assets. Her relationship with her father is an absolute treat.

Another great part of the show is the relationship with her friends. Women sticking together instead of stabbing each other in the back.

It's great as the show runner, writers, and other lead slowly understand she's funny, that audiences laugh at her. Is she actually funny to modern viewers? Not really but considering Lucille Ball is the standard she measures herself against, you get what she's trying to do.

Where it fails is when it tries to be comedy, particularly the slapstick scenes they throw in every episode that are just totally out of place. It's not a comedy! Even the writers seem confused by this, let alone the viewers.

This would be one of my favorites if they stuck to the premise instead of trying to make it comedic. It's a drama and a darned good one.

What a treat this show turned out to be. Gemma Arturton in the lead was quite stupendous, consistently bringing every emotion to every scene - she ought to be right up there when the tv awards are handed out. Indeed, the whole cast are superb and so believable. Feel-good, yes, but I reckon it would be almost impossible not to be pulled in every emotional direction as this programme just gets better and better as it goes on. It would be great if a sequel came along, however, somehow it could just as well stay as a one-off. Finally, it should be thought of as a virtually unique tour-de-force and possibly one of Sky's ever dramas.

Loved this mini-series. These days, they usually go on for too long, but there's not an ounce of fat on this one and it breezes by in six episodes.

Gemma Arterton shines as the funny woman, and Rupert Everett is quite hilarious, seemingly channeling Alastair Sim a bit. The rest of the cast is excellent, and the script is very fine. I haven't read the book, so I cannot compare the two, but I found this totally enjoyable and highly entertaining. The recreation of the 1960's was very good, including some imaginative use of vintage films of London with Arterton skillfully inserted into them. Highly recommended.

There should be more of these feel good nostalgic TV programmes. Lovely period piece set in the 1960s. Main character Barbara obviously based on Lucille Ball who was the famous zany female at that time and very pretty. Loved that Barbara was northern which as well as being female challenge to getting a comedic part on TV. Would have scored 10 except I think the story was stretched out a bit toward the end and could have been told in less than six episodes. Gemma Arterton plays the part very well indeed and I note is on the production team. Some clumsy, obvious efforts to try and raise 21st century woke issues.