And the Winner Is...

It was, in retrospect, unlikely that this series of "Inside Number 9" was going to be able to maintain the standard it's established throughout the whole fourth run and whilst "And The Winner is . . " is by no means bad, it pales in comparison with what's come before.

The episode revolves around the machinations of a room of actors and industry professionals trying to determine who wins Best Actress at an unnamed awards ceremony. Despite the great real actors that took part in the episode, the characters that they play are a bit too clichéd to get much joy out of. Fenella Woolgar is a disgruntled journalist, criticising because she can't create; Kenneth Cranham is an aging RSC thespian; Phoebe Sparrow is a dull member of the public, who likes everyone; Noel Clarke is a young popular director desperately avoiding the professional advances of fellow jury member Clive, played by Reese Shearsmith, who has a script he's trying to sell; and finally Zoe Wannamaker is a fading star, about to embark on a disappointing West End run, who recites the soundbites her assistant provided because she hasn't watched any of the performances in question.

It's a decent premise for an episode, and I would imagine the tangential reasons provided to justify why someone isn't suitable of winning is probably closer to the truth than anyone actually involved in award shows would like to admit, but when Shearsmith and Pemberton don't bring anything from the horror side of their repertoire, usually the comedy makes up for it - unfortunately, this one just isn't funny enough to make up the difference.

The Inside Number 9 team take aim at awards committees. I suspect they shoot rather near the mark.

The panel consists of several actors, a director, a writer, a journalist and for the first time a member of the public who is out of her depth. They need to whittle down the shortlist for the best actress and come to an agreement regarding the winner. The nominees include the grand dame noted for playing the stern one who gradually softens up (Maggie Smith?) The young actress who made her way from the soaps. The one who always wins for anything she does each year (Meryl Streep?)

It is rather novel to hear Zoe Wanamaker speaking with her native New York accent. She plays the actress who has slept around and never watched any of the performances but she can spot a winner. Noel Clarke plays the director who takes a swipe as the ethnic minority judge put their to discuss the ethnic minority nominee.

An unusual gentle change of pace with this episode. Shearsmith and Pemberton take more of a backseat here as performers, it still has a satirical bite. The eventual winner worked hard for her award.

The theme of this show seems to have changed in the fouth series. Different atmosphere. Not to my liking. Its lost its edge and dark feel to it

It's hard to write anything negative about Inside no 9 as even when it's not on form it has superior writing and acting. This episode fails on every level, the 'twist' is aparent in the first 5 mins but you stay with it thinking no they are going to pull something out of the hat but when the end comes and it fades to black you are left thinking 'oh they did just have one idea for the episode and did write the characters as lazy stereotypes'. This is the one blip in a constantly brilliant series and is expecially disappointing after the last episode which was the best in its four series run. I am sure next week will be back on form as being a benchmark of what can be done on tv in 30mins.

I found this to be a fun and amusing instalment. The cast work very well together and bring an interesting script to life. The ending is fun too. I like how self-absorbed the characters are.