Solsidan ("Sunny Side"), is something of the most hilarious I have ever seen, and definitely the best Swedish comedy series in all time! I have watched the first season, and have just began watching the second - and it it still so good that I laugh so much that I am afraid my neighbours are going to think I have gone mad! And then I am not even very fond of comedy normally (as you can see from my voting and reviewing history here). But this is so incredibly good!!! "Solsidan" captures a thousand small issues and little episodes that people in the same life phase as the main characters - professional couples in young middle age with small children - can recognize their neighbours and friends in. And sometimes, if they are honest, also themselves. When I am not laughing like mad, I am blushing and cringing with embarrassment in front of the computer because an episode reminds me of some similar embarrassing moment in my own life.
Here we have the mean and clinging neighbour, who only uses you in different ways and is impossible to get rid of. The rich and spoiled mothers who compete with each other about being the best mother - in terms of making the most healthy and nurturing home-made baby-food (or having someone else make it for them...), and having the biggest and most expensive children's parties for their older children. The old mother who at first doesn't want to let you grow up and release her hold of you - and then gets herself a lover so that you have to hear them having sex... *YUCK*! ...and many more issues people recognize all over the world, I think.
But for me as a Swede, "Solsidan" also has this typical Swedish flavour... which is hard to describe, but which they have captured perfectly. I feel a stronger bond to all my fellow Swedes when I watch it, because I suddenly remember all the things we have in common... And I realize, that although everything is not positive of course, I could never feel at home and be really happy anywhere else. For a foreigner, I think "Solsidan" could instead be used as a "get to know the Swedes" crash course! :-)
Here we have the mean and clinging neighbour, who only uses you in different ways and is impossible to get rid of. The rich and spoiled mothers who compete with each other about being the best mother - in terms of making the most healthy and nurturing home-made baby-food (or having someone else make it for them...), and having the biggest and most expensive children's parties for their older children. The old mother who at first doesn't want to let you grow up and release her hold of you - and then gets herself a lover so that you have to hear them having sex... *YUCK*! ...and many more issues people recognize all over the world, I think.
But for me as a Swede, "Solsidan" also has this typical Swedish flavour... which is hard to describe, but which they have captured perfectly. I feel a stronger bond to all my fellow Swedes when I watch it, because I suddenly remember all the things we have in common... And I realize, that although everything is not positive of course, I could never feel at home and be really happy anywhere else. For a foreigner, I think "Solsidan" could instead be used as a "get to know the Swedes" crash course! :-)