The Age of Commercialism

Such a frustrating disappointment

Overrated

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I recently watched both seasons of Saxondale and remember thinking after completing series one that it was surprising that it got a second outing. I wasn't overly impressed with that first season at all, finding Steve Coogan's depiction of the central character too overdone, while his fake hair and beard offputtingly silly. So I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the second season was so good. Not just better by comparison but actually very funny and better written. It was immediately improved by Coogan dispatching with the wig and going for a more natural look. It made him look a lot younger than in the first season which maybe doesn't make sense but was much preferable.The set-up centres on an ageing 70's ex-roadie called Tommy Saxondale who still believes he is still fighting the system but who in reality is now a subcontracting pest exterminator. The character is more sympathetic than is typical of Coogan. He's a little more self-aware and intentionally humorous than the likes of Alan Partridge, although he does still share many of the facets of that character such as an arrogance and self-importance. Like Coogan creations in general Tommy Saxondale is a well observed character with lots of specific traits that make him seem quite believable and not too cartoonish. There are some good side characters to enjoy too. Some of the best of those are there essentially to antagonise Saxondale, such as Vicky the woman who gives him his work details played very well by Morwenna Banks; she consistently gets the upper hand on him, outwitting him mercilessly in a hilariously passive aggressive manner. I also enjoyed his neighbour who cringingly tries to talk to him on his level before bringing up some minor complaint.All-in-all, this has to be considered a success. It definitely improved in various ways by season two and I would even daresay it had legs for a third season also. It certainly has to be considered one of Coogan's best creations outside of Partridge.

The Character that Steve Coogan has created, or rather perfected, for Saxondale is deeply, profoundly demented. But it's Coogan's mastery of the nuances of bitter, disillusioned, middle aged neurosis that makes his character so appealing, so universal. It's impossible not to identify with the short tempered, self centered, frustratingly inflexible, outrageously arrogant exterminator. It's hilarious, the ease with which his chatty, oddly attractive dispatcher presses his buttons - perhaps lovingly teasing him - and undermines his ruggedly assembled self-image. It's like watching a Medieval fortress collapse under the weight of a butterfly.Saxondale's life is all behind him. He lives in the past where all his great heroes and great ideals were born and died, along with his philosophy & references & hair style & car. Actually, the yellow fast back Mustang is quite cool. He is now nearly alone in a shallow & tedious world of semi-intelligent optimists; his once fiery passions doused by the forces of mediocrity, or so he would tell it. His wife owns an alternative lifestyle shop where she conceives tee shirt slogans to shock and disgust the straight world. She does this with the casual innocence of a florist. She tests his patience but somehow avoids his wrath because, well, he loves her. His rage unleashes at the most absurd inappropriate moments, usually after someone has failed to grasp the stunning genius of one of his savagely witty quips. It's a hostile hybrid of The Office's David Brent and any other show in the history of broadcast TV that featured a misunderstood dreamer. An undervalued, little recognized, criminally ignored treasure of a programme that saved me from many a laugh-less evening. Series 2 actually surpasses the first. One of my all time favorites, that grows more wonderful each time I climb aboard for another action packed adventure in the fast paced world of pest control.

Maybe you have to be a similar age to Tommy Saxondale to really appreciate a lot of the humour. Well, I am and Steve Coogan has created one of the most unique comic creations ever seen on TV.Look out for the subtle use of tics and mannerisms that make Saxodale such a watchable character. And fantastic support from all.Rasmus H. is just right as Tommy's assistant, basically playing the same character he portrays in "Lead Balloon". Ruth Jones is dead sexy and Morwenna Banks is a treasure.This is a multi-dimensional comedy. Always varied and not just playing on the idea of an ageing "hippy" out of place in the modern world. Poor old Tommys' encounters with some squatters was pure comic brilliance. I love it.

We all know him. The mildly intellectual ex-hippy who twists himself into knots with cliché upon tongue-in-cheek rock reference upon flipped round adage...Yes it is set pieces. Eery episode has the secretary scene, the neighbour scene. and so forth.but its really funny. steve coogan is an actor as well as a comedian, inhabiting the role with tics and grimaces.Morenna Banks (rarely on screen at mo) has her chance to shine every week and Rasmus Hardikeris a brilliant newt-faced straight man.worth a watch, especially mid-week when there's sod all else on TV!