[UPDATE - 1st March 2019]: Not at all surprised this now has a second series, as this happens to be one of the most viewed radio posts I've done. People just kept googling it.
So the family are back, this time trying to prevent a community library from being turned into a Wetherspoons by the council, and also get an essay about Sylvia Plath done. Godliman as Maxine is struggling a bit from exhaustion, due to her need to run double shifts keeping the place open, and Brigstocke isn't really up to helping, as all the "manspectations" tend to get him anxious.
(That's something a man is expected to be able to do, like kicking a ball or plumbing. This series pleasingly continues in its desire to have a pop at more or less everyone.)
Luckily, her mother, in the form of Liza Tarbuck is able to step in, and is constantly hilarious, mostly by being a dick about Brigstocke and his posh upbringing. I think line of the match has to go to her "toffee-nosed swan toucher".
Overall, still one to keep listening to.
(Mandatory music update: The theme is 19-2000 by Gorillaz (remixed by Soulchild). (Buy on Amazon.))
[ORIGINAL - 17th November 2017]: It's more or less a given that I'll listen to any radio show Marcus Brigstocke happens to be in. I'm a fan of his Brig Society, and desperately want more of The Museum of Everything. Unfortunately, that's looking a bit unlikely, so I'll have to make do with this new show about an environmentally and ethically concerned family.
Now, if you know Marcus Brigstocke, you know that he tends to get very shouty about the environment, mostly it seems because he lives in it and it's the only thing he's aware of that can make cheese. As such, you might be a little wary that this could be somewhat preachy. Let me disabuse you of that notion.
While this is a programme in which the choice to live an ethical lifestyle is central, it's not used for sermon purposes, but is rather the primary source of conflict in what is a fairly traditional family conflict comedy.
For example, the main point of dissension this week is whether it's reasonable to go on a holiday in a foreign country, with all the associated carbon costs. Brigstocke, playing his usual posh boy self has already seen the world before the activism bug bit him, whereas Kerry Godliman, with her rather more limited experience wants to travel. Godliman is also excellent, providing a nice down to earth counterpoint and some fun scheming.
It's a very nicely positioned piece that has some interesting things to say about the inherent conflict of people being taught that certain luxuries are your way of proving you have class, while they also come with an ethical cost. (I'm mostly thinking about avocados.)
There's also a fun angry postman and the children are less annoying than expected, which is always a pleasant surprise.
It's got enough comedy chops to stay on my listen list for the rest of the series and I can heartily recommend it.
Highly recommended.
Tagged: Radio Comedy Cast Sitcom Family/Relationships