The British TV comedy landscape seems dominated by blokey panel shows, hit-and-miss stand-up and average sitcoms. So you think we'd be pleased when something different comes along. But having seen the first two episodes of Roger and Val Have Just Got In, we're feeling rather underwhelmed.
Starring the usually reliable Dawn French as food technology teacher Val and award-winning actor Alfred Molina as her botanist husband Roger, the premise is simple. Each episode covers the first thirty minutes after the married couple arrive home from work. There's no laugh track and no gimmicks. It's a character study which focuses on one relationship and only features the two protagonists. But if you're expecting Mike Leigh levels of humour and pathos, forget it.
The couple are clearly still in love, but there are domestic niggles and occasional clashes of approach. Discussions between the pair centre on the mundane--the search for a vacuum's guarantee certificate, to fish fingers left in the wrong freezer. Yet they also touch on bigger issues--Roger's dying father and their own ageing process. There's a morbid feeling in the air, which may not give the show more laughs, but the way it hangs in the background does help draw you into the show despite its foibles.
A recurring topic is both character's workplace battles with colleagues. The sharing of these issues feels realistic, as does the social anxiety of their interactions with others. They're a slightly odd pair. Roger talks in military analogies, while Val asks him to "just try and be normal." The scene where they re-assure each other that they're both ok is quite touching. Unfortunately, while the naturalistic dialogue often feels right, it goes off on conversational tangents which doesn't always work.
But there comes a point where the viewer realises that there's been no laughs, and the dramatic insights aren't that revelatory. A niggling voice starts to whisper: "These people aren't that interesting." Dawn French is good, but occasionally overplays the role, while Alfred Molina is more believable as Roger--although this may be more a reflection of our over-familiarity with French.
A scene where Val shows Roger what a 'glamorous' row would look like--miming smoking and drinking, complete with sneer--is pretty funny. Yet it feels more like luvvie charades than an actual moment. The whole show verges on self-indulgence, and it's hard to care about the couple. Roger and Val may have looked good on paper, but it's a strange beast. We can't see anyone really taking it to their hearts.
Roger and Val Have Just Got In starts on BBC2 and BBC HD at 10pm on Friday, August 6. It'll air at 11.05pm in Scotland.
Some people obviously don't get what the sitcom is trying to tell them, is you notice over time, that Roger and Val suffered a deep personal loss in their life. They act out strange mannerisms to avoid whats really bothering them. Hence fish fingers, curtains and the fridge,
I agree with the other posters and think the reviewer is talking rubbish. I love this programme. It contains gentle humour, so no good if you're looking for belly laughs. I find it to be very true to life and applaud everyone involved with it, especially Dawn French and Alfred Molina. It generally moves me to tears and I consider it to be a little gem in a sea of dross. I, for one wiill certainly not be going out while this on.
I soundly agree with Bernie's Mum. Without becoming too self-indulgent (which I believe is part of the premise of the show itself) I like it. I really do. Having tuned in for the 3rd episode, choosing to pre-record it on the old Sky+, i took to Roger and Val with a mug of tea and a chocolate biscuit and found myself more drawn in with each passing moment. It is everything that is written about it in the article above and yes, there is a moment when the thought, 'This couple aren't actually all that interesting' really does creep up on you, but it is that element precisely which warmed me to them. The need for people to be exceptionally, 'in your face', smack-wallop interesting all the time, in their own homes, during the day-to-day moments of life is unrealistic and somewhat gaudy. I felt Roger and Val were wonderfully like real people, displaying exactly what we love in our dearest friends. In that honesty and familiarity, what is trully wonderful in everyday life is found. I applaud the writers, producers, and actors who have come together to create this lovely half hour, once a week. I shall look forward to my little dose each week and find relief in the absence of a laughter track, cartoon colours and over-the-top innuendo.moreless
This new drama isn't supposed to be like anything else.Its supposed to be a strange beast.The humour comes from a much more subtle format than we are traditionally used to. It has come from the school of observational comedy that has changed the face of tv sitcom - The Royale Family,The Office and Extras to name a few,but actually ,i think this is better - It's more honest and authentic and thats why you dont laugh out loud...thats why the characters go off on tangents when they speak , because that's what people really do.It took a while for those wonderful sitcoms i mentioned above to gain recognition and I'm absolutely sure that this diamond of a production will join them in popularity. My feeling is that Dawn French worked very hard on reigning it in for this performance, because shes trying to do something different as an actress.Alongside the charismatic performance of Alfred Molina, it wont be long before the exquisite playing of this refreshingly well-observed writing is recognized.moreless