Outstanding cast of Vicious emanates savage merriment
What is it? Vicious, Season 1, six episodes on two discs from PBS When? Now How much? $29.99 Who’s vicious, exactly? That would be Freddie and Stuart (Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi), partners who have spent the last 48 years sharpening their wits — mostly on each other.
Freddie is an aging actor and Stuart is a househusband and they share their flat with a decrepit dog. Their days are largely spent hurling insults. Freddie’s dying career, Stuart’s annoying mother and their mutual aging and the resulting physical deterioration provide ample fodder for sniping.
They’re not the only targets. They’ll rip pretty much anyone to shreds given the slightest provocation. That includes their friend Violet (Frances de la Tour) — friendly, uninhibited and sexually aggressive — as well as perennially confused Penelope (Marcia Warren) and grumpily caustic Mason (Philip Voss).
Into their truly strange orbit comes their new upstairs neighbor Ash (Iwan Rheon), a young man frequently overwhelmed and befuddled by his new friends.
Despite the free-flying snark, there is some underlying affection all around, faint and fleeting though it may be.
How is it? Odd. It can be blisteringly funny. But many of the jokes are very predictable and a few cross over from irreverent to downright offensive with rape jokes and heavy stereotyping going on. That said, if you’re not sensitive, it shouldn’t be a problem.
On the plot front, it’s very much a typical sitcom, full of misunderstandings (Freddie thinks Stuart is cheating when he’s actually planning a surprise for Freddie) and average adventures (Freddie and Stuart go clubbing with Ash) that aren’t particularly inspired or enthralling.
Overall, though, it’s got a stellar cast who are obviously having a ball. Despite the sometimes pedestrian material, pros like McKellen and Jacobi can make it work. They’re experienced enough and prominent enough to have the “Sir” prefix in Great Britain so viewers aren’t exactly getting bargain-basement performers or performances here.
Are there extras? Not really. An interview with cast and crew is advertised on the back, but at two minutes long, it’s hardly worth counting.
New this week: Bitten, Season 1; The Blacklist, Season 1; Gunsmoke, Season 10, Vols. 1-2.
Next week: Alpha House, Season 1; Boardwalk Empire, Season 4; The Good Wife, Season 5; The Millers, Season 1; The Mindy Project, Season 2; NCIS: Los Angeles, Season 5; NCIS, Season 11; Newhart, Season 4; Once Upon a Time, Season 3; Parenthood, Season 5; Parks and Recreation, Season 6; Three’s Company, Complete Series.