I shouldn't be wasting my time writing this, but..
Tonight I watched 'My Hero'. I've seen a couple of episodes since the lead role was taken over by James Dreyfus (The gay dude from Gimme Gimme Gimme) but had not felt inclined to comment until today's show. Ardal O'Hanlon, who played the inept superhero for all of 5 series, declined to be involved with this one. I wonder why? Read on, and all will be revealed..
The premise for George's new appearance was that he lost big in a poker game and each bit of his anatomy had to be given away to pay his debt. He then got a new body, but kept the same irritating personality. Ta-da, problem solved. I hope the scriptwriters gave themselves one big pat on the back for that incredibly imaginative turn of events there. Unfortunately, there are a few other areas with them that I'd like to take issue with..
Simply put, this is a comedy that isn't funny. It has no good jokes, no hilarious slapstick, no appealing characters. It was below par when it started, but at least it could make you smile a bit. Not anymore.. Dreyfus's endless mugging to the camera and outrageously camp acting make me want to crack the wall open with my head. No wonder his career flopped in America.. he has a single talent (the homosexual stereotype) which he repeats ad nauseum. He had his moments as Kathy Burke's goofy sidekick, but he hasn't got the talent or charisma to be a leading man. Hes a one trick pony, and hopefully after watching his rotten performance here TV execs will realise this too and show him the door. Next stop: The Plaza in Brighton, playing the Dame!! You heard it here first..
Even in a sitcom as abysmal as this, you can normally look to the supporting parts for at least a few good moments. Not here I'm afraid.. Everybody from George's weird alien friends to his two talking babies (awful special effects there BTW) ranges from tolerable to just about unbearable. Yes, his mother-in-law hates him. Yes, his two super-intelligent children are wise asses. Yes, his best mate is a freak who talks gibberish consistently. It ticks all the boxes, but somehow every vestige of humour is sucked out of this can't-miss scenario until the programme is dead in the water. How could this have happened? No idea, ask those scriptwriters, who are no doubt enjoying their yachts on the Channel with their undeserved earnings. Which brings me neatly to..
Tonight's episode, which had to be seen to be believed. Heres the background: George wants to get back into the bedroom with his wife , but she refuses. Then, he sees how attracted she is to cats, so he asks a moggy for its advice. The conclusion he comes to is that if he can suck out the essence of feline, spray it on himself like a perfume and let his missus catch a whiff of the aroma, she'll fall head over heels for him again. So this is what he promptly does. Believe me, I have a very strong stomach, but seeing Dreyfus licking Emily Joyce's elbows and running after a strip of material she drags along the floor almost made me cough up yesterday's breakfast. This was was truly terrible television, and just when you think it can't get any worse than that.. There are five more episodes till the end of this series. And lots more barrels waiting to be scraped, no doubt. Oh, joy. Hang on, is that the Four Horsemen I see above me? Or just wishful thinking on my part?
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