"Better a fallen rocket than never a burst of light."
~ Tom Stoppard, The Invention of Love

Friday, September 6, 2013

The Comic Strip Presents: Series 7, Episode 6 – “Jealousy” (1993)



The Comic Strip Presents is a show that surfaces periodically on British television. Rather than presenting one unified story, each episode is a separate piece with its own characters, sensibility, and cast – more like a series of short, unrelated films. “Jealousy” is an oddball comedy written by Robbie Coltrane, a.k.a. Hagrid from the Harry Potter films

Three guesses as to which vice “Jealousy” focuses on. John, a suburban husband, can’t shake the conviction that his wife is having an affair, and all the self-help tapes in the world won’t give him peace of mind. Try as he might, he just keeps getting sucked in by his paranoia and, yes, jealousy.

PC plays John, a man more than teetering on the brink of insanity. Over the course of the episode, his gambits get more and more unhinged. There are grappling hooks involved, not to mention disguises donned for the purposes of incognito wife-tailing.

It’s pretty amusing. PC brings a screwy intensity to John that’s a lot of fun. John knows he’s being irrational, but he just can’t stop himself. While it’s not the most complex character out there, it doesn’t fail to entertain.

Also, if you’re wondering what the Twelfth Doctor would look like in a fez, this is your chance!

Accent Watch

Scottish, with more than a hint of the “crazy Scotsman” stereotype.

Recommend?

In General – Maybe, depending on the person. I think “Jealousy” is pretty funny, but its screwball quirkiness wouldn’t be to everyone’s tastes.

PC-wise – Probably not lighting up anyone’s top-ten list, but it's good for a laugh – worth a watch if you’ve seen PC’s choicer stuff and want more. 

Warnings

A little swearing, and some thematic elements and dark comedy.


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