Ronnie Corbett leaves behind a world of facts and figures, a job in accountancy, for a new role as a pub landlord-only his wife Laura's name is above the door.
When you think of British sitcoms that landed in 1974, you'll think of 'Rising Damp', 'Porridge', and 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum'. You could be forgiven for thinking that 'The Prince of Denmark' was of the same pedigree-an undiscovered gem, just waiting to become a cult classic.
Unfortunately, you'll discover very early on that this comedy isn't funny. The gags don't land, and instead, you're left in an abyss of awkward silences and uncomfortable titters. The concept of a mild-mannered accountant turned pub landlord has potential, but it's squandered by a script that seems unsure whether it wants to be a farce, a character study, or just an uncomfortable series of awkward pauses.
Why they chose to have Ronnie play himself is a head-scratcher. It's not a satirical take or a self-aware bit-he's just... 'there', and it makes the whole thing feel more like a missed opportunity than a comedy. His character is devoid of personality, and once you've gotten over the jokes about being short, there's very little left.
The regulars, unfortunately, feel like they're stuck on repeat. They're one-trick ponies, each with a shtick that quickly becomes irritating. You'll find yourself checking the time far too often, wondering when the repetition will finally end.
While the show is rooted in the 70s, it has some nostalgia, the pub set looks good and there are the fashions or course, sadly though, it doesn't manage to capture the charm that 'Rising Damp' or 'Porridge' did. Instead, it just feels... stuck.
No wonder it's out of print and barely remembered-it's a reminder that not every 70s comedy deserved cult status. Yes, we got 'Fawlty Towers' and 'Rising Damp', but we also got 'Bottle Boys'. Sadly, 'The Prince of Denmark' has earned its place in the 'forgotten relic' bin of 70s sitcoms, somewhere between the ashes of 'The Wackers' and 'The Dustbinmen'-shows condemned to the shadows .
Corbett is surrounded by a cast who, seem unsure of who they're meant to be. The result is a collection of characters who, though they may have been intended as quirky customers, end up feeling more like afterthoughts. Rosemary Leach does a capable job as his wife Laura, but she's ultimately wasted.
Geoffrey Palmer guest stars in one single episode, and in just a few minutes, he gives everyone a masterclass in comedy timing and delivery-something the rest of the cast should've taken note of.
It could and should have been so much better, the ideas behind it were good.
4/10.
