Tuesday, March 21, 2017

A new trip or a dead end?

The good news is that The Trip is back, with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon this time set to sample the gastronomic delights of Spain. If it's as funny as the two previous series and features as much chorizo as expected/hoped, I'll be a dribbling, jibbering wreck.

The bad news, though, is that it's made a journey of its own, from the BBC to Sky Atlantic - a decision prompted by the BBC's concern to cut costs and (judging by the pair's interview with the Guardian's Laura Barton) one that seems to have been taken over Coogan and Brydon's heads and is much to their discomfort. There's a feeling that Sky Atlantic is a bit of a graveyard for comedy, with neither Coogan's Mid Morning Matters (as Alan Partridge) nor Julia Davis' Hunderby or Camping receiving the attention or audiences they deserved.

Meanwhile, another pioneering comedy of recent years, Fleabag, is also set to make a welcome return. Phoebe Waller-Bridge thinks she's got an idea worthy of building a second series around, and is hopeful that filming might start in November so that the series is ready for screening next year. Hopefully, the BBC will be prepared to fork out for that.

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