theharp Reviews

Sunnyside Farm (1997– )

Unfunnyside Farm.

[1 February 2002]

This pathetic disgrace of a so-called 'sitcom' remains the worst piece of television, any genre, to be made in Britain in the televisual era. A complete lack of situation, a complete lack of comedy. The plot so thin it constitutes an eating disorder, the writing almost at the level of a 'disadvantaged' person, the acting so embarrasing getting caught with your pants down sounds a better bet. Even the actors Mark Addy and Phil Daniels seem ashamed as they perform.

That is not however to let them off. Daniels 'Mockney' schtick tires after just minutes of the first episode and gets worse each time. Concentrating solely on getting a laugh by saying phrases such as "oh, bellowing cows' backsides" as Cockney as possible cut no ice with anyone, nor did the vague attempt to set the sitcom in - surprise,surprise - a farm. Addy, as his stooge, fares no better. The viewing public switched off in droves, the critics tore it to pieces and it was pulled after the first series without trace. The fact that very few people in Britain actually recall this sitcom stands as testament to it's overwhelming offensiveness.

Watch it if you can and prepare to be appalled.

The Upper Hand (1990–1996)

The Wrong Foot.

[1 February 2002]

This awfully unfunny and frankly instantly forgettable sitcom is one of the worst pieces of t.v. to come out of Britain. Utterly abysmal, this sitcom left my entire memory until a chance repeat viewing on British Satellite T.V. earlier this year.

Poorly written, badly acted, and with less plot twists than a neglected garden, this somehow ran for 6 years between 1990-96 and concentrated solely on the growing relationship between a posh Yokel and a failed city slicker with the added 'spice' of both having young kids of the same age.

Needless to say you hear little of around 50% of all the cast these days, and esteemed British actor Joe McGann's career soon nosedived. He should have known better.

Steer well clear upon approach.