Proud Brit I may be, but I'm ready to admit that, if you believe the main purpose of comedy sitcoms is to raise a laugh (with not too many strings attached), then the Americans do it better. Though certainly not devoid of British input, "Frasier" has had me laughing hysterically more times than I can remember, and it (still) works because it limits the smut, raises the intelligence, involves acting as much as joking and does not rest on the laurels of "whimsy" when real funniness is in reach.
Very occasionally the Brits also manage such a winning combination in a sitcom and - a few years before "Frasier" - we managed to come out with "Dear John" - one of that select list of products good enough to give rise to a version across the Atlantic. The British success is that of John Sullivan, whose "Only Fools and Horses" delighted the entire United Kingdom, but left this reviewer entirely cold. However, he was also involved with "Citizen Smith", an entirely different matter, also worthy of recommendation.
"Dear John" is a success because, first, it is actually funny (the same really cannot always be said of British sitcoms). It raises a laugh and not just the occasional smile or chuckle. But it is also kind and warm and nice and sympathetic, while still furnishing various kinds of "edge", most especially an edge of failure and pathos and the need - sometimes overwhelming and desperate - to look for support in life. There are no unpleasant characters, though fantasist "Kirk St. Moritz" (played by Peter Blake) comes closest with his occasionally more-hurtful barbs against fellow Singles Club participant Kate (adorably rendered by Belinda Lang). Both attend the club as failures in life (whether they realise it or not), as does (in very aware fashion) the titular star - "John" - played by the tragically-shortlived Ralph Bates, who resembles all of his fellow players in the programme in being a high-calibre actor. Those taking an interest now will not appreciate, unless informed, that most Brits had known Bates previously in an entirely non-comical context as the evil rotter George Warleggan in the 1975 version of "Poldark", hence the particular surprise and delight at seeing the same face appearing in a light comedy. As a contrast it really, really worked!
The far-from-lively or cool 1-2-1 Club has (a few) other participants and needless to say they are failures and misfits too, with quirks and foibles that are funny, but also mostly endearing and touching. The group leader, and hence the person who in theory at least has her act together more than the others, is Louise, as played with seductive magnificence by Rachel Bell. A fine feature of this comedy is its democratic shareout of the laughs and importances of the roles. All participants get their chance here, and we the audience are the richer for it.
Sadly, there are just 14 half-hour episodes, so in this case nobody can accuse the makers of wringing the story dry. But it is touching, high-quality stuff that has several serious-enough messages to put across, but does indeed raise the necessary quota of laughs.
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