British Favourites: Being Human (2008-??)

The British do it better.



A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost rent a flat.  No, its not the beginning of a joke.  But it is the premise for another stellar BBC production.  And while the description alone would lead the viewer to think comedy, Being Human is so much more.

Mitchell, the vampire and his werewolf buddy, George rent a flat haunted by a ghost names Annie.  The odd trio help each other survive being immortal in a mortal world.  Mitchell is on the wagon--swearing off human blood.  George refers to his mutation as his 'time of the month'.  Annie is trying to figure out why she can't pass on.

The combination of dry humor, dramatic spells, modern dialogue, special effects, and overall brilliant execution makes being human an incredible show.  The chemistry between the ensemble is spot-on creating supernatural authenticity.  It's smart, funny, and so very British.

Being Human is another great example of quality programming that very few of us will get to see.  I'm jealous of our friends across the pond. What a shame that our nation's collective IQ doesn't support such awesome productions here.  The debut season is available on DVD from Netflix and Amazon.  Season Two drops next week.

British Favourites: Death at a Funeral (2007)

Death at a Funeral is a delightfully odd-ball black comedy.  Very much in the vein of their forefathers (Monty Python, anyone?), nothing is off-limits here.  In the wake of an American remake that is nothing but a horrible comedy with black people, I feel compelled.

The British do it better.

 Fans of dark British humor and odd comedy will enjoy this rather peculiar movie. David (Matthew Macfayden) is nervous about his father's funeral wake. He is delivering the eulogy even though his brother, Robert (Rupert Graves) is a famous writer. But when a strange midget (Peter Dinklage) appears and threatens to expose the recently deceased patriarch's extramarital gay affairs lest David and Robert pay him off, the brothers take matters in their own hands.

Frank Oz directs this madcap piece filled with a virtual no-name {to me anyways} and mostly British cast. Led by Macfayden {Pride & Prejudice} like you've never seen, Death at a Funeral is an insane romp. The far-fetched plot is a perfect medium for some great individual performances. Alan Tudyk (A Knight's Tale, 3:10 to Yuma, Dodgeball) as the boyfriend who is unknowingly macked-out on acid, gets a perfect opportunity to shine and steals the show. Macfayden is a straight-laced foil to his co-stars. Graves, Dinklage, Kris Marshall, Andy Nyman, Daisy Donovan, and Jane Asher {Paul McCartney's one-time girl friend} all have moments that induce side-splitting laughter.

Family relations are always complex. Sibling rivalry is just the beginning in this British farce where family turmoil ultimately threatens to overshadow the funeral. Despite it all, a heartfelt eulogy is delivered.

Death at a Funeral is NOT for everyone. If you like your humor quick, dry, un-PC, and British, then this is for you. From the moment the wrong body is delivered to the front door, Death at a Funeral is a spot-on comedy.

British Favourites: Black Books (2000-2004)

The British do it better.

Black Books was a BBC series that centered around a used bookstore run by a chain-smoking curmudgeon played by Dylan Moran.

Antisocial doesn't even begin to describe Bernard Black (Moran).  In Series 1, we find as the proprietor of a used bookshop, Black is hardly welcoming. Content not to sell anything, but rather drink, smoke and engaged in witty reparte with Fran, the shop owner next door.  Sharp dialogue, sly sight gags and Manny the bumbling shop assistant.  Bernard manages to drink a bottle of wine that is promised to the Pope and get locked out of his shop after installing a new security system in the first episodes.

Series 2 continues in the same vein with more misanthropic mayhem.  The writing is a bit sturdier.  As Bernard, Dylan Moran is on par with Gervais and Brand in his ability to smirk with a straight face.  A heat wave sweeps London causing Fran (Tasmin Greig) to suffer from insomnia and Bernard gets an idea to reinvent the bookshop with hysterical results. The last episode of the series includes a holiday trip to Saint-Honore that shouldn't be missed.

Goliath Books comes to town in the final series.  Manny (Bill Bailey) bails and takes up a job with them because Bernard doesn't appreciate him.  As Bernard takes a turn for the worst, Fran sets out to reunite the odd couple.  But Manny loves his "doo-ti-to-doo" card too much.  Simon Pegg's turn as the uber-creepy manager of Goliath--is hysterical.

The chemistry found herein is spot-on.  Moran's hair alone is a reason to watch, but its the barage of sarcasm, wit, and dry humor that will keep you coming back.