Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Tangled Webb of laughter
BACK
EVERYONE’S a critic. And, in these days of social media, people can deliver their glowing or scathing review in seconds, for the whole world (including programme makers and commissioners) to see.
And nothing quite gets people wound up like a new sitcom. Professional and armchair critics alike often seem poised, ready to strike and tell you exactly how unfunny a show is, after a whole half hour of viewing. So, respect to anyone who gets a new comedy on screen these days.
Then again, if your two leading actors are much-loved comedy stars who made Peep Show an award-winning success – and your writer and creator was behind The Thick Of It and Veep – then it’s probably less of a risk than normal.
David Mitchell and Robert Webb reunite for this new familybased comedy from Simon Blackwell, which sees Stephen Nichol (Mitchell) preparing for his dad Laurie’s funeral. He was a larger than life legend who ran the local pub, but it seems he didn’t actually like his son that much.
Stephen is a bit grumpy and slightly useless, but kind-hearted
By contrast, Andrew (Webb) – a foster child briefly raised by Stephen’s parents – is one of those charismatic and charming people who’ve done everything.
Well, he thinks he is. The reality is probably more “insufferably smug”. He was one of the many kids Laurie and his wife Ellen raised during the 80s and while everyone else in the family is thrilled to see him back “home”, Stephen can’t really remember Andrew – and clearly can’t stand him either.
It’s full of classic Mitchell and Webb chemistry, funny flashbacks, artful swearing and dysfunctional joy galore.
People might be happy to write Back off after just one episode if it doesn’t make them laugh.
Fortunately, it will.