Saxondale

This is one of those series that I can watch once a year and never get tired of it. I do think you have to be a certain age to appreciate it though.

We all know him. The mildly intellectual ex-hippy who twists himself into knots with cliché upon tongue-in-cheek rock reference upon flipped round adage...

Yes it is set pieces. Eery episode has the secretary scene, the neighbour scene. and so forth.

but its really funny. steve coogan is an actor as well as a comedian, inhabiting the role with tics and grimaces.

Morenna Banks (rarely on screen at mo) has her chance to shine every week and Rasmus Hardikeris a brilliant newt-faced straight man.

worth a watch, especially mid-week when there's sod all else on TV!

It amazes me that this flawless and innovative comedy seems to be all but forgotten and never mentioned when Steve Coogan's work is reviewed.

As I force myself to sit through increasing turgid and unsatisfactory incarcerations of Alan Partridge (he's even touring as him now!!) I can't help but wonder why this stone cold classic is not better known.

Coogan created a character of incredible comedic depth and constructed hilarious scenarios week after week.

For a long time after it's second and final series I hoped he would return to the character but alas he never did.

I suppose it is a case of the great classic UK comedies quitting whilst at their peak after series 2 (The Office, Fawlty Towers, I'm Alan Partridge, Dinner Ladies, Extras, Phoenix Nights etc)

I still really wish Mr Coogan would revisit Tommy Saxondale using his co-writer Neil MacLennon but I guess it's never going to happen now.

This series really needs more praise, I know Partridge is the Golden goose (and for good reason. But it's suprising how many people haven't seen or heard of this.

Coogan plays the character perfectly. The fact I met the real life Tommy when I was a bartender at a rock night, honestly I spent over an hour chatting to him just to see how many things he did like Tommy and it was endless entertainment (for me).

On my yearly DVD run through, so I've seen it all over 15 times, I just wish this had come out in "nineteen ninety nine" so I could of seen it more.

A must see for any Coogan fans or fans of genuinely good comedy!

Having been one that has enjoyed the brilliance of Steve Coogan's comedy in it's various visages; before i watched Saxondale I wondered if Steve could keep up his spotless record. Once again Steve failed to disappoint me. Saxondale is not about a bitter man but a man who shook the pillars of heaven as a youth but like many of us has been slowed down by the cruel joke known as 'age'. Unlike most of his comedy this one has a tender side that shows itself at unpredictable times throughout the series. Steve really hits the trigger on this one and i don't doubt there are many like me who know where Saxondale is coming from and where he is heading. This series reveals Steve Coogan for the comedy and indeed, acting genius that he is. I look forward to series two.