TV REVIEW – LAID
Now that’s more like it.
After a series of Australian television launches and new programming that never quite hit the mark, along comes a series that is well worth your time in Laid.
I won’t give away any more than that except to say that this is most-definitely an original, high-concept series with enough of a basis in everyday life that it will hopefully find an audience. Thank heavens for scripted Australian television that I can completely get behind.
Laid gets a lot right – but nothing more so than the casting of Alison Bell as Roo. This is a really, really great comic performance – not outlandish or over-the-top – just a finely calibrated master class in the comedy of awkwardness and social ineptitude with more than a dash of wit and timing. She’s brilliant and I’m really pleased this role was written for her.
Even though it’s about sex and death, Laid is most certainly a comedy – and not one of those comedies where you cringe more than you laugh. I laughed out loud seven or eight times during Laid and was more than entertained throughout. It’s not hilarious, but it will elicit plenty of chuckles – and that’s thanks to the whip-smart writing by Marieke Hardy. The dialogue cracks along, makes a couple of good observations and never descends into the cringe-worthy ocker speak that afflicts so many of our other homegrown programming. It’s quirky, sure, but it never feels like it’s striving to be quirky. It just is.
Celia Pacquola plays EJ, Roo’s best friend and is amusing enough without any discernable character traits to work with. I liked Abe Forsythe as the IT guy Roo has a flirtation with and all the supporting cast were excellent, never overplaying their hand.
Like any high-concept show Laid is going to have trouble sticking the landing, (especially if a second series is an option) but that doesn’t matter as much as the ride we get along the way. Through the charms of its lead actress and character, Laid is a ride I’m very much looking forward to being aboard.
Laid airs at 9:30 on ABC1 on Wednesday nights, and I highly recommend you catch up on iView if you haven’t seen it already and check out some quality Australian programming.
This comment isn't related to the content above (but I am now interested in giving Laid a go), but is related to 'tv review'.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what your thoughts were on the new CBS series Mad Love? It stars the always loveable Sarah Chalke as well as Judy Greer and Jason Biggs. I've seen the first 2 episodes and to my disappointment, found them extremely difficult to sit through. Do you have any constructive criticism for the direction of this new show?
Hi Rainbows - yes I do actually and it's relatively simple. First of all, let Jason Biggs and Sarah Chalke be funny. They are both funny actors but given almost nothing funny to do - whereas all the heavy lifting has been left to Tyler Labine and Judy Greer. The writing isn't great yet, and the show is suffering terribly from being so very similar to the show that airs before it in the States, How I Met Your Mother.
ReplyDeleteThe difference being that How I Met Your Mother, while often not funny, takes narrative chances and has some very funny episodes. Mad Love has shown me nothing so far to suggest it will be its own show, and not just How I Met Your Mother lite.
Having said that, the actors involved are excellent. So if the writing improves, we might have a show. I hope it gets more watchable for you!