The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff (2011– )

Stars:

Robert Webb, Katherine Parkinson, Finlay Christie

Cast

Series cast summary:
Robert Webb	...	Jedrington Secret-Past (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Katherine Parkinson	...	Conceptiva (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Finlay Christie	...	Victor (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Ambra Lily Keegan	...	Victoria (4 episodes, 2011-2012)
Tim McInnerny	...	Harmswell Grimstone (3 episodes, 2012)
Derek Griffiths	...	Pusweasel (3 episodes, 2012)
Sarah Hadland	...	Primly Tightclench (3 episodes, 2012)
Kevin Eldon	...	Servegood (3 episodes, 2012)
Blake Harrison	...	Smalcolm (3 episodes, 2012)
Mark Evans	...	Businessman (3 episodes, 2011-2012)
David Mitchell	...	Jolliforth Jollington (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Llewella Gideon	...	Mrs. Grrumblechoop (2 episodes, 2012)
Fergus Craig	...	Poor Person (2 episodes, 2012)
Margaret Cabourn-Smith	...	Moustache Woman (2 episodes, 2012)
Adrian Edmondson	...	Headmaster Wackville (2 episodes, 2012)
Hector McCormick	...	Date-And-Time Boy (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Calum MacPherson	...	Gob (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Abigail Burdess	...	Mary-Anne (2 episodes, 2011-2012)
Dave Lamb	...	Ghost of Christmas Past (2 episodes, 2011-2012)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 2011 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #17.36 (2012)

User Reviews

Appalling

Normally I'm a great fan of surreal humour, but someone please tell Mitchell and Webb that they're not funny, and that Stephen Fry always plays himself (at least not since Jeeves and Wooster). This was mostly a bunch of random, and not very funny lines strung together.

Oh, and it's riddled with cheap CGI too.

This was a great opportunity for sending up Dickens, but it went down like a lead balloon. I watched "Rev" and "Life's Too Short" not long afterwards - and was stunned by the contrast in writing, acting etc. This programme was written and acted by people who are incredibly self- satisfied, and think they're cleverer and funnier than they actually are.

All the usual suspects turn up on this programme - you know the ones always on QI, Have I got News for You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week. All of these shows are quite good, but you have to ask exactly why the BBC is hiring these same folk repeatedly, or using the same production companies/agencies. Bit of a closed shop really.

I give this show two stars for one reason, Johnny Vegas is its saving grace as the Artful Codger. Definitely one to avoid...