I too have caught up with this on British Forces TV! It usually followed the Dukes of Hazzard. Something of a curate's egg is British Forces TV, i.e. 'good in parts'.
There is the occasional sharp, edgy comedy now, such as Fleabag, but they are more rare. Also most comedy these days seems politically neutered.
Not sure what I have to add but I want to say something, if only to add an additional review further to commend it to those who have yet to discover it.
So, Shelley has some really sharp and funny writing, indeed amongst the best I ever heard in a TV situation comedy. I often found myself laughing out aloud which I don't often do at TV comedy these days! Sometimes the writing was very near the bone in a way you would not find in most TV comedy these days.
One of the writers was Andy Hamilton, who is IMHO, and I am sure in his, one of the best British comedy writers of the past two generations. However, other contributory writers were pretty good too. When you saw, however, that an episode was written by Andy Hamilton you knew you were in for a treat.
I am not sure what to make of Hywel Bennett's Shelley. I am ambivalent about his character which is probably part of his appeal. Shelley's wife Fran left him with their daughter because he couldn't settle down to a career and so fulfil his duties as husband and father. Not exactly an example to follow, whatever your political orientation. He redeemed himself, to some degree, in that he was very witty, could be kind and politically his heart was in the right place. However, I personally wish that at the very end of the final series he was shown finally ready to rejoin the rat race, if only for the sake of being reunited with his family or starting another one.
The supporting actors read like a Who's Who of British character actors. It would be almost invidious to pick out just the one but David Ryall, who was his landlord in the final series, was one of my favourites. He provided a masterclass in subtle, humane comedy support. Ars vita, vita brevis. 'Art endures although life is short'. Almost, including Hywel Bennett, all the major actors who appeared in the series, have now long gone to that great casting session in the Sky, peace be on their souls. However, thank Heaven that their gift for entertaining us survives them!
There is the occasional sharp, edgy comedy now, such as Fleabag, but they are more rare. Also most comedy these days seems politically neutered.
Not sure what I have to add but I want to say something, if only to add an additional review further to commend it to those who have yet to discover it.
So, Shelley has some really sharp and funny writing, indeed amongst the best I ever heard in a TV situation comedy. I often found myself laughing out aloud which I don't often do at TV comedy these days! Sometimes the writing was very near the bone in a way you would not find in most TV comedy these days.
One of the writers was Andy Hamilton, who is IMHO, and I am sure in his, one of the best British comedy writers of the past two generations. However, other contributory writers were pretty good too. When you saw, however, that an episode was written by Andy Hamilton you knew you were in for a treat.
I am not sure what to make of Hywel Bennett's Shelley. I am ambivalent about his character which is probably part of his appeal. Shelley's wife Fran left him with their daughter because he couldn't settle down to a career and so fulfil his duties as husband and father. Not exactly an example to follow, whatever your political orientation. He redeemed himself, to some degree, in that he was very witty, could be kind and politically his heart was in the right place. However, I personally wish that at the very end of the final series he was shown finally ready to rejoin the rat race, if only for the sake of being reunited with his family or starting another one.
The supporting actors read like a Who's Who of British character actors. It would be almost invidious to pick out just the one but David Ryall, who was his landlord in the final series, was one of my favourites. He provided a masterclass in subtle, humane comedy support. Ars vita, vita brevis. 'Art endures although life is short'. Almost, including Hywel Bennett, all the major actors who appeared in the series, have now long gone to that great casting session in the Sky, peace be on their souls. However, thank Heaven that their gift for entertaining us survives them!