Miranda on BBC2
70s-style TV Comedy Based on Miranda Hart's Joke Shop Radio Show
Fans of gentle, studio-based sitcoms such as Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em or Are You Being Served? just might find Miranda a little gem hidden amongst the usual BBC comedy fodder. Those who are not keen on endless pratfalls and knowing asides to the camera may want to look elsewhere.
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Possibly most familiar to TV audiences as cleaner Barbara in the BBC show Not Going Out, this is Miranda Hart’s first starring role. Based on her BBC Radio 2 programme Miranda Hart’s Joke Shop, the semi-autobiographical show lays bare the highs and lows of slightly desperate singleton Miranda, who blew her inheritance money on a joke shop but really has no idea what to do with her life.
Despite her posh voice (which sounds uncannily like Jennifer Saunders) and a public school education, Miranda is hardly the social butterfly. A constant disappointment to her mother Penny (Patricia Hodge) as she has yet to bag a husband, Miranda prefers to while away days in the shop avoiding work, much to the annoyance of manager and best friend Stevie (Sarah Hadland).
Those expecting the bizarre but compelling camaraderie of Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey in Black Books will be disappointed, but Hart and Hadland do have some good moments together. Despite the slightly niggling catchphrases “shirk not work” and “tidy tidy!” it’s easy to see how frustrating it must be for Stevie when Miranda drifts into the shop at lunchtime and is soon on her way out the door again.
Adhering to the theory that defence is the best form of attack, Hart wastes no time in piling on the self-deprecating “Yes, I am tall, and not exactly stick-thin either” scenarios. Whether it’s a delivery man calling her “sir”, being saddled with the nickname “Queen Kong” by her Sloaney friends or mistaking a shop for transvestites as one that merely sells clothing for the taller woman, we are all invited to laugh at her gaucheness.
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Fortunately Hart is so inherently likeable, as well as being blessed with excellent comic timing, that somehow an entire show filled with those kinds of scenes remains just this side of endearing. The viewers may hide behind their hands at the sight of her as a “drag queen” complete with shocking purple gown and full make-up, but at the same time they are praying she will get together with old friend Gary (Tom Ellis).
Filmed in front of a studio audience, Miranda harks back to the simpler days of Morecambe and Wise, while avoiding the twee cosiness of My Family. If forthcoming episodes can cut down on the falling over and just let Hart interact with the other characters, this could be one to watch.
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