"The Mimic" Series 2, Channel 4

Surprisingly we get a second series of this bittersweet little show. I thought six episodes pretty much covered Martin and his world but writer, Matt Morgan has more to tell. I enjoyed Morgan Freeman as a hobbit, the altercation with the living statue busker (why people worldwide enjoy these gilt painted plonkers, I'll never understand) and a quick Harry Potter repertoire.
After watching the second episode there is definitely a sameness about this little show. I think the producer should have stopped at the perfect first series. Highlights: the dying mum's video to her son (not maudlin, though) and the use of Kermit and David Attenborough as sex aids. Oh and we did get a smattering of Wogan in the mix.
Episode 3's highlights were "The Shining" routine in the factory and duelling impressionists in the tunnel.
In Episode 4 we got more Michael Caine(with this show and "The Trip" I think we have Michael Caine overkill).
Episode 5 (the stag weekend in the health spa) was the most satisfying so far. Nice to see the Peter Wright (Denise's uncle in "The Paradise") and Doreen Mantle (Mrs Warboys in "One Foot in the Grave") as Martin's dad and gran. Martin's prospective brother-in-law is a perfect foil for nervous Neil (Neil Maskell).
Satisfying conclusion in Episode 6.
Two delightful scenes: the mistaken identity bit in the toilet cubicle and the final scene with Martin swapping stretch limo for pink Fiat.

"Uncle" BBC3 TV comedy Series 1 Series 2

I'm going to go out on a limb here, but "Uncle" is the best UK comedy (I'll  specify 'family based', so I don't count the sublime "The IT Crowd") I've seen since "Beautiful People".
Lovable misfits, Andy (comedian/musician Nick Helm) and his 12 year old nephew, Errol (Elliot Speller-Gillott) have knockout chemistry together. You can see similarities with "Moone Boy" and to a lesser extent the Jack Black film "School of Rock".
Oliver Refson wrote and directed the first 3 episodes (and co-wrote the rest). The pilot started off at Channel 4, the producer then going over to BBC. Their loss.
Episode 3 featured a nifty 80's homage "I don't like you/ I like like you" (co-written by Nick Helms). I'm sure it has loads of hits on YouTube.
Episode 4 taught us useful tips: Jeremy Kyle and teenage knowledge, stress relief (screaming into your elbow) and dealing with panic attacks (the "diarrhoea"song). This show is full of believable and likeable characters (like the delightful "The Mimic" from last year).
Episode 5 resembled a French farce (lots of dashing out of doors and windows), Andy trying to juggle 3 girlfriends, as well as his needy, but sweet sister and Errol's school camp traumas. Best lines: "The Beatles...the Labrador puppies of pop music", Casper the Emo Ghost, balls dropping and "Geronimo!"
Episode 6 - a good way to go out. No soppy resolution, a realistic outcome. Only in "Uncle" could you find a link between killing zombies and farting daintily. Andy goes gangsta with "I'm f**king famous, bitch" and Errol goes Noel Coward/Flanders&Swann with his Germs/Salmonella Song.
Catch this little gem, only 6 episodes.
P.S. Nice to see the "Clockwork Orange" /kinky coffee table in the record producer's office.

Series 2 is just as good. Errol is one year older, and wiser. His relationship with Andy is even more symbiotic. This little gem has even made it down to Australia on SBS2.

"The Mimic" TV series Episode 5 (final) review

A bittersweet final episode. This series never outstayed its welcome - 5 eps was about right. I doubt there will be a second series as all was resolved. It was always pretty clear this was never going to be "A Star is Born"/Martin makes it big time. The scene of self-doubt in the woods/nursing home with Martin spewing out his voice characters was inspired ("I'm not a patient, I'm a mimic").
Larry the mutt, fridge opening Internet sensation, was obviously the winner of the tacky television show. Another jab from Matt Morgan about how vaccuous the Internet and social media can be. Did Martin use the Fire Exit at the last minute? Probably. But it doesn't matter either way.
This series has been full of quiet humour and warm characters. No 'laugh out loud' moments - we didn't even get a manic Wogan routine in this concluding episode. The bit about Martin being mistaken for a Greek waiter was priceless. And Neil's senile, girlie-mag-reading dad (Ralph Brown) was delightful.

Mr Morgan skilfully juggled tragedy and comedy in the scene with Martin's parents and Dionne's cancer. "The plant (a gift) will outlive her" and buying a "Get well soon" card. The final shots of Martin's family and friends in Bournemouth on the dad's digital photo frame was poignant and the key to the series - the important thing is friends and family.

"The Mimic" TV series Episode 4 review - no spoilers

Martin goes viral on You Tube with his Arnie/Obama/James Woods/Al Pacino floorshow. There's a nice dig at the inane comments you see on You Tube. Another Wogan bit with his imagined bizarre sexual exploits in this episode. I loved Neil's yellow Crocs and his 'art' displayed proudly on his kitchen wall. Will Jean and Neil get it on? Hope so.
Martin is forever passive, hiding behind his voices. Steven (Jacob Anderson), Martin's son, is the most mature, well-adjusted 18 year old in the U.K. A natural entrepreneur who plays golf. He drops a bombshell to Martin near the end of the episode. The get together at Neil's place was quite poignant and beautifully acted. This ep moved a lot faster than last week's instalment.

"The Mimic" TV series, Episode 3 review

I wasn't enthused about this week's episode. Starting with the cringy scene in the computer store, this episode was more pathetic than pathos. The blind woman scene in the zoo was mildly sweet. There was a quick David Mitchell bit that made me smile. The best scene was the visit to Martin's family. Nice to see Denise's uncle from "The Paradise" as Martin's dad and Mrs Warboys ("One Foot in the Grave") as Martin's caring old gran.
Hope next week's episode has more chuckles.

"The Mimic" Episode 2, Channel 4 British television series review

Matt Morgan's "The Mimic" continues to be a delight. It's nice to watch a television series about warm and caring people, people you would invite into your house. Perhaps I'm just sick of the sniping, competitive, mealy-mouthed types you get on many (scripted) 'reality' shows. Martin, Jean, Chelsea, Neil the newsagent, Steven and his mum are gentle, flawed and believable characters. The filming reminds me of Ricky Gervais's "Extras" in its tone (without the bitter after-taste that sometimes spoilt it).
The impersonations came thick and fast: Christopher Walken, Arnie, Jason Mason, Alan Rickman, Peter O'Toole, early Alec Guinness, Sir Ian McKellan. It looks like we are going to get a riotous Wogan running joke in each episode. Let's hope U.S. television doesn't remake it (cringe)....but I wouldn't be surprised.

"The Mimic" TV series, Episode 1, Channel 4, review

I know this is The Brady Bunch, but I got lazy.

My wife and I watched  a sweet little comedy last night.When you aren't expecting much, television can surprise you. Blending poignancy, gentle humour and excellent voice impersonations, this show works. Terry Mynott spouts Terry Wogan, Gok Wan, Owen Wilson, Al Pacino, Allan Carr and in a delightful final scene, Sir David Attenborough.The impersonations support the storyline, rather than detract from it.

Best 'dramedy' since Coogan and Brydon's "The Trip". Looking forward to next week's episode.