Dag

Irreverent, funny and sometimes quite poignant, this Scandi-comedy makes me chuckle and think with the unfolding of each season. The chronicle of a marriage counselor who is more damaged than his clients, his secretary prone to fits of historical dementia and his best friend who just cant resist the wildest and least appropriate interpersonal entanglements are just the tip of this Nordic romp's story line. Great nods to global pop culture await the viewer. Some scenes can be a little raunchy, even uncomfortable, but try hard to hold back offense, its a bawdy but intelligent comedy. Watch it from the beginning and howl, if only for the bad English subtitles.

This programme is of such high quality that I can't believe I only found it by searching for a new comedy on Sky. The characters are superb and, when combined with the story lines, I am frequently swept away by feelings of horror, humour and fascination and find myself watching the screen open-mouthed. I'm half way through season 2 and it just keeps getting better. The female Russian drug-addict and Muslim convert are particular minor-character favourites. Highly recommended for fans of intelligent, quality, comedy. Yes, the subtitles have got worse in season 2 but it doesn't spoil my enjoyment, it sometimes adds to the humour. The only real problem with them is being distracted from the attractive actresses.

Norwegian sitcoms are not exactly the hottest thing on TV, at least not since they cancelled "Fleksnes", which was an adaptation of Hancock's Half Hour, only much better, back in the late sixties. But "Dag", about this very improbable dystopic loner of a couples' counsellor is right up there with the very best from anywhere, like Curb your enthusiasm or The Office (no similarities apart from the quality).

All the pieces of the puzzle fall readily into place: Very witty scriptwriting, and original concept, great casting, superb acting, clever directing and well-paced editing. The fact that it's done in Norwegian makes it twice as funny; it really is the funniest language in the world – especially to us Swedes.

By the way, the very lovely Tuva Novotny is not Norwegian, but Swedish. You're forgiven for thinking so though, since her accent is 100 percent perfect.

In short, don't miss this little comedy gem!

Dag is the marriage counselor who embraces a life in solitude. A lifestyle he eagerly conveys to his patients. He goes about his anonymous way of living, dealing with the slightly psychotic secretary Malin (Agnes Kittelsen), and his numerous weird patients.

In between the occasional blind date, setup by his sensitive sister Marianne (Silje Torp Færavaag), Dag also has to guide his best friend Benedict (Anders Baasmo Christiansen) through the many affairs and comical screw ups he encounters.

Dag's entire view of life begins to shatter however, as he meets Eva (Tuva Novotny), who is just as lost as he really is.

The entire cast does a brilliant job, portraying their respective characters very convincingly. In conclusion, this is the best series I have ever seen come out of Norway. And if you enjoy black comedy, you will surely like this.

8.5/10

I don't honestly know how Sky Arts managed to shoe-horn this into the endless Andre Rieu concert schedule (the schedule that has finally made me decide to do away with Sky for good), but it was a great find. Great to listen to, great to watch - sometimes moving, sometimes Twin Peaks-like in its weirdness, and often laugh-out-loud funny. My one reservation is that the male characters (though all charismatic in their own ways) are almost without exception overweight and not typically good-looking, in stark contrast to the female characters, who are mostly drop-dead gorgeous, in good shape - and considerably younger than the male leads. Not to mention that in Nuva Novotny you have one of the most delightful female actors of all time. But it's a beautifully written, shot, acted and directed series, thoroughly recommended.