Man Down (2013–2017) User Reviews

Man Down? Thumbs Up!

[NozinAroun81 · 8/10 · 3 November 2013]

Greg Davies (probably better known as Mr Phil Gilbert from The Inbetweeners or as Cuckoo's reluctant father-in-law in Cuckoo) conceives and carries this brand-spanking new comedy series about a man-child with a lot of growing up to do.

When Dan's long-suffering girlfriend, Naomi (Deirdre Mullins) bins him for not taking life seriously, he tightens his belt (or should I say tightens the cords of his jogging bottoms after misplacing his only pair of trousers), scribbles down something that vaguely resembles a to-do- list and promptly seizes the day in his own unique half-a**ed way. Apart from the fact that he's a teacher who's considerably less mature than his pre-pubescent student body, he must also contend with his maniacal father played by Rik Mayall from The Young Ones. You heard me! The People's Poet is now old enough to play Greg Davies Dad! Adding insult to injury is the fact that Dan's friends are just as misguided as he is. Jo (Roisin Conaty) is an independent young go-getter who goes and gets things that only exist in her wonderfully warped mind. The only "straight-laced" person Dan knows is his close personal acquaintance/financial adviser, Brian (Mike Wozniak) who is often dragged into Dan's immature antics. Then again, Dan's co-worker, Emma (Jeany Spark) is fairly straight-laced... AND she has a nice a**e. Maybe she can put him right? Don't hold your breath!

BRIAN: The last time you said that you asked me which one of The Muppets my wife's vagina most looked like!

DAN: I know... and you said Gonzo... all purple... all messy thick tufts.

:D

Wish there was more, or a possible spin-off.

[stoneweather · 8/10 · 22 October 2018]

I thought this was a great show, especially the episodes involving Dominic (Ramon Tikaram), so much so that I wish there were a Dominic spin-off of some sort. So sad that Rik Mayall passed away, often wonder what the show would be like had they been able to go in the direction of playing Rik's character up more as originally planned. Aunt Nesta (Stephanie Cole) was a great addition however.

Oddly contagious

[seanpaulcasey · 9/10 · 25 June 2018]

Quirky, a little out there, and weird characters that grow on you. A nice change of comedy where you can't predict the episode or action or dialogue. Sound track and music is pretty cool

Superb

[Humbole · 10/10 · 1 November 2013]

As no-one has yet written a review, I felt obliged to begin.

Having just watched the first two episodes, I can tell you, my cheeks are aching and I haven't laughed so much since my Auntie wet herself in Tesco.

Greg Davies is utterly brilliant. Hapless, helpless and human. The interaction with the children had me shrieking and holding my sides.

The casting of Rik Mayall as 'Dad' is a stroke of genius. Utterly bonkers and an uncanny resemblance.

Imagine The Inbetweeners for 40-somthings, with a little Nighty Night thrown in.

If you like Greg's stand-up, I guarantee this will tickle your fancy.

Such a hilarious show!

[hottie69238-819-184239 · 10/10 · 4 June 2018]

This show cracks me up! G.D. Is a comedic genius who never fails to make me roll with laughter.

Luke cameo

[colig-ronk · 10/10 · 16 March 2019]

How many people caught Mark Hamill as Bob. It took me a minute and still wasn't sure till I looked it up.

The funniest show of all time!!!! Please do a 5th series!!

[ucgrad · 10/10 · 31 January 2019]

There is nothing to say except this show is brilliant! It's so well written and the acting is amazing! I have watched each episode so many times now it's crazy. I am desperate for a 5th series because it's the greatest thing on tv. Please please BBC realize what a brilliant gem you have here and commission 10 more seas9ns of the show NOW. There is nothing as good on tv so to not keep this going would be a very stupid mistake. Thank you to Greg Davies for making me laugh so hard I pee!

I was expecting more to be honest.

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 21 September 2022]

First of all let me say that I like Greg Davies, but I prefer watching him where he's best at and that is stand-up comedy. I think he should stick to that. I saw some recognizable scenes from his stand-up comedy in Man Down but it's just better when he tells those stories on scene than on a television show. Man Down has some good moments but also a lot of moments where it's just a bit too dumb. Mostly because of the character Jo, played by Roisin Conaty. I can't say I enjoyed watching her. The acting was not always on top in this series. It was nice to see Rik Mayall again, sadly he passed away. The show has some some good funny episodes but most of the other episodes never made me rolling over from laughing, maybe a couple grins but that's it. I wished I liked it more considering Greg Davies was the main character but it's just going to remain a one time viewing for me.

A laugh is but a laugh

[greennature-58774 · 10/10 · 8 February 2019]

Who cares if the laughs are somewhat cheap, life is too short to be so serious and judgemental. Found myself laughing harder as the series progressed, binge watched all four seasons in a few days. Wish there was more!

Give it a shot

[shanayneigh · 7/10 · 18 May 2021]

I really like Greg Davies on Taskmaster and as a guest on panel shows, so decided to give Man Down a try. I gave up halfway through the first episode. After a few months I gave it another try, and it got better after the first episode.

The episodes are of varying quality. Especially in the later seasons. The show gets progressively absurd, not always to its benefit. But still there were a few good laughs.

An extremely funny show.

[kevinoreilly-47281 · 9/10 · 14 February 2020]

I discovered Greg Davies on this show. I'll make this short. 'Man Down' is one of the funniest shows ever made. Funnier than any American comedy by far (of the last two decades) and I'm so glad I found it on Netflix because comedy has been so bad for so long here (with the exception of Curb and Youtube). British comedy lives and it's funnier and more outrageous than ever!

Would you want a bloke like this as your teacher?

[ygwerin1 · 6/10 · 15 February 2021]

Teacher Dan is a Head of Department at a Junior school seeing him with his class, you have to wonder who is the more immature. Though the school kids have the obvious excuse and unlike their teacher there is some chance, that they may actually grow up at some time in the future.

His personal life is wasted with the perpetual fantasy, that he actually stands a cat in hells chance of getting back together with her.

As a sad sack he still lives with his parents even at the advanced middle age, with his mum who still treats him as if he were a ten year old. As well as his dad a spiteful and vindictive maniac, whose entire mission in life seems to be to make his sons life a misery.

His best friends are Jo who is a happy and friendly soul and always willing to lend a helping hand, though she does come across as a hooker. Brian is his other best friend who Dan treats as a dogsbody to help fetch and carry for him and act as a taxi service, such that its a wonder that they get on at all.

Other manic characters are Shakira who runs the local caffe that all of our characters regularly frequent, though given how absolutely vile she is to all and sundry its a wonder she gets any customers through the door. Another local fruitcake is a Community Support Officer, a totally deranged jobsworth.

This is comedy show is one that I have taken a while to get around to watching at all, and after watching the first episode didn't feel inclined to bother to view any more. But after a bit I decided to give it another go, and I am currently going through the second series. Personally its a rather hit and miss comedy that rather meanders in a somewhat shambolic manner, with some truly bonkers finales.

I first saw Greg Davies Hosting Taskmaster the Dave TV Channel Quiz Show, which I think was a perfect vehicle for him. I didn't really find his standup that funny, it barely raised a smile with me. His character is suitably manic not to mention veritably deranged, and Greg Davies manages to nail it to the wall.

Roisin Conaty is a very funny comic and always adds to any show she is in, but I cant help feel that there is striking similarity between the characters she gets to portray.

Man Down should stay down

[jodieanncooke · 2/10 · 9 January 2021]

This was a real struggle to watch. The awkward chemistry and below average acting, makes each scene cringeworthy and unbearable to watch. It's more like a comedy for children with the the obvious punch lines hitting you in the face. The sloppy slap stick and shallow plot does not make you want to continue watching. It's hard work to watch. Some brilliant comic actors usually, however I think their lack of believability stems from very weak writing. I think Greg has played the teacher parts enough now, although this part in the inbetweeners was such a better performance, and his stand up is great. It just doesn't click with this programme. Roisin is also very talented, but it doesn't show it in this, which is disappointing because I'm a huge fan. It all seems a bit too rushed.

Brilliantly bizarre

[facebook-835-889963 · 9/10 · 4 April 2019]

_Man Down_ is absurdist humor at its finest. Improbable characters living out ordinary lives in very unordinary fashion. Watching the show makes one's brain scream things like: "Why doesn't Brian find a new group of friends?" "How could Emma possibly have...., one couldn't imaginably get that drunk/desperate/whatever?" "Why hasn't Jo died from accidentally drinking bleach or some other life hazard?" And yet in the world of _Man Down_, all these improbabilities are in alignment to create a lively comedy that will keep you on your toes and in stitches. There's even a heavy dose of dysfunctional tenderness to comfort through all the disrespect and inappropriate behavior. Bird attacks were never funnier.

Ready for my 3rd viewing.

[lisainstyle · 10/10 · 21 May 2020]

Greg Davies shines in the way he gets into the craziest situations. He's a joy to watch. He also surrounds himself with the best of British actors. Each one carries themselves and it all comes together brilliantly. If you love silly British comedy then you will love this.

Outstandingly good !!

[Vindelander · 8/10 · 28 November 2019]

A must see and will cheer you up even if you're stringing up a rope. Fantastic casting and full of little subtleties in the background.

Greg Davies at his very best.

Hope we get another season!

[chieftan-51654 · 9/10 · 11 January 2020]

Kept me laughing the whole time. Greg Davies and the cast are amazing. This show may not be for everyone but if you need a good laugh it's got you covered.

Hilarious

[tschneidewent · 9/10 · 16 April 2020]

For those of us that can relate to always trying to do the right thing ... that watch it unfold into a disaster completely opposite from your original goal.

Hilarious !!

[jennfinn · 10/10 · 9 October 2020]

I'm late to the party but in all fairness I usually read a lot and don't watch many shows. I recently discovered Cuckoo and thought Greg Davies was brilliant so I decided to watch Man Down. As a child I absolutely loved Drop Dead Fred so I was excited to see Rik Mayall as Dan's father and he was hysterical. It's a shame he passed away IRL and was only in season one. Greg Davies as Dan is funny as hell to watch and I'm looking forward to watching his stand up shows. Mike Wozniak (Brian) and Roisin Conaty (Jo) play Dan's best friends and they both add to the hilarity. Stephanie Cole as Aunt Nesta is amazing and shout out to Alfie Davis who plays Dennis, one of Dan's students.

Doesn't quite nail its tone

[alexdmcintosh · 5/10 · 26 November 2021]

I think what Greg was going for was a quirkier view of his pre-comedy life, and while Greg, Mike and Riosin are all great as their characters and the show gets better as it goes on, it never really sold me on the comedy of it all.

I'm not a gatekeeper on what "funny" is, but I find MD to be uncomfortably straddling the "in its own world" premises of IT Crowd & Toast of London, and the awkward realism of Alan Partridge & Peep Show. It wants the absurdist schtick but also the brutal pathos, and never really quite succeeds over its 4-season run. You can believe an idiot like Jo would exist in Toast's world, but in a show that decides to take an excruciatingly realistic long close-up take of Dan pulling a bloody pencil out of his cheek, and then say a mentally unfit and fiscally irresponsible adult like Jo could get approved for a small business loan, it confused me how seriously Greg & company Wanted me to take all these character's plights. I should be anticipating the comedy to ensue when Dan finally gets to have a day with his baby, but after three seasons, I only found myself agreeing with Emma and everyone else that he shouldn't be within 100 yards of either mother or child. I was actively rooting against the protagonist, likeable or not. If you're making Seinfeld, that works. But a series literally about a grownup trying to pull his life together, the eponymous 'man down', it leaves you asking "why bother"? Brian's plight with his divorce and kids was far more engaging and memorable, and its a shame I'll never see that resolved. He became, for me, my true 'man down'.

If this tickles you the right way, then that's great. For me, Greg et al have done much better (gonna go watch some Taskmaster now).

A Modern Classic This Show Had It All

[martimusross · 10/10 · 16 May 2020]

Man Down

Leading edge comedy, this show had the lot,

Constantly inventive, the ideas never seemed to dry up despite firm and predictable characterisations.

Quite brilliant script, just comedy gold, with the theme of the week and serial plot lines.

Brilliant comic timing from everybody,

I'm not sure why but this show reminded my of cross between Dad's Army and Allo Allo with perhaps even a bit of Harry Worth. The physical humour and slap stick really elevated this show as a classic of our time.

I enjoyed every minute and I shall watch this again and again, I just love Brian, the art of deadpan realised.

I want another series and there certainly is a lot more potential for continuing this project.

Weirdly beautiful

[emirliarzu · 10/10 · 9 December 2020]

Oh man! This is a must see! Such a weird show, i mean beautifully and hilariously weird! Greg Davies, what an actor! His expressions are enough to make me die of laughter. The whole show is just amazing, each and every episode. Hilarious, eh?! Oi!

Funniest show I've ever watched

[niranjan-1258 · 10/10 · 24 August 2020]

I stumbled upon this show after watching the In Betweeners and I'm so glad I did. It's the only show where I am legitimately laughing OUT loud. The humour is ridiculously good and there is no effort at all from the cast to do any of it.

Brilliant

[sdoggett-00704 · 10/10 · 28 November 2020]

Stumbled across this on Netflix. What a show! Greg Davies is superb as the super-stressed 40 something l teacher who just can't get anything right; at work; at home; in his daily life. So many great one-liners. Makes you literally laugh out loud over and over each episode. To a little girl in his drama class he doesn't like-"Take your little girl mask off Rose West." Totally my sense of humour. Superb.

Missed it first time around

[Zaffydoo · 9/10 · 11 December 2020]

Ran into this on NF. Absolute joy. Very sad to see Mayal pass on during the production. Two seasons in and almost every episode has made me laugh out loud #realversion. Amazing chemistry of cast, superb rhythm of jokes, one liners, situations, absurd and touching. Some real legends of British sit coms in the mix, suits multiple generations of viewers. Raucous fun.