Man Stroke Woman

Just caught the repeat today and I can't believe this was ever broadcast, let alone enjoying a repeat showing. There was not one laugh in the entire show, and the whole thing felt like the writers were trying too hard to guess what "wacky" situations the "kids" would find hilarious, while all the time trying to make up for the fact that they have no talent as comic writers.

Poor Nick Frost - he may reckon this is his personal Big Train, but it's not even as good as Simon Pegg's ultra-turkey Hippies. Hyperdrive was very poor too. The sooner he returns to his position as Simon Pegg's lapdog, the better for him.

I thought this programme was a breath of fresh air. Yes some of it is variable - what sketch show isn't but I think the four main actors are just great together. Some of the sketches are down right silly. Others excellent observation - taken just that little bit (well quite a lot sometimes)further. Many are ensemble pieces often with all four and there are some really good running jokes "you can't just say I look nice", the guy thats always crying, the "posh" cosmetics assistants and particularly this evening I thought the three on the sofa discussing their horrible "perfect" boyfriends excellent stuff.

Try not to compare it other shows and where the actors may have come from. Look at it for what it is - a bit of a laugh at men and women together.

If you get the chance watch it. I think it works. I don't think you will be disappointed.

This show relies on it's cast, with Nick Burns from Nathan Barley and Nick Frost from Spaced/Shaun of the Dead we anticipate a programme that's much funnier than it actually is. Undeniably there are some good sketches, e.g. the Where's Josh? sketch but others are just poor - the shag marry kill sketch is boring, the problem is that they have two or three of the same sketch per episode and when it's boring it stays boring. This comedy is average, i can't believe there weren't better scripts or ideas to create but once again we see typecasting and reputations which boost sales, or viewing figures. Not a complete waste of time, but definitely not laugh out loud in may places and a quite frank disappointment. I though that the title meant it had some male humour and female humour throughout but when i watched it with some females friends they only laughed at the bits I did meaning i've either got butch friends or they genuinely don't find the humour aimed at them funny. I'd give this 5/10, I'm not surprised Nick Frost jumped on the bandwagon since he started out as Simon Peggs flatmate and to get ahead he's clutching at straws. The money spent on producing this could have been put to better comedies incorporating new talent instead of this semi- funny waste of space.

The great thing about this sketch show is that it does what a sketch show should do; focus on one aspect of life and develop it into comedy! The format of a sketch show has been done so many times in the past 30 years that it really doesn't mean anything anymore. But Man Stoke Woman is about adults in there 30s and the relationships between men and women. There is no catchphrases, no silly costumes (well perhaps one small one worn by Nick Frost) and together with a fresh cast and good scrips, the show is by far the best of the 'new comedy' to air on BBC3 in the past few years. I think the people who don't find this funny are the types who focus on repetition, although nothing really wrong with the 'Little Britain' formula, it does get tired easily and the writers get lazy. The great thing about this show, is that you don't know what to expect. Nick Frost is probably the best known out of them all, and he shines along with the rest of the cast. I really wish they'd do more together as they work off each other so well. Here's hoping that they'll be more. Although I doubt there will be. Shame. Can't wait for series 2 DVD release.

I watched this when it first came out, and to this day, 15 years later, I still re-watch it. It's incredibly funny and the cast is perfect! I love the way they play off of one another. Sadly, we don't see many comedies like this anymore.