Episodes!
I am now into the fifth series of this entertaining production. Certain characters have made it through from the first notably British scriptwriters Beverley ( Tamsin Greig) and Sean ( Stephen Mangan) , Carol ( Kathleen Rose Perkins) Merk Lepidis ( John Pankow) and Matt Leblanc playing himself. To freshen up each series characters and events have to be introduced. In episode 3 Matt Leblanc discovers his dishonest financial advisor has appropriated half his fortune and he may have to sell assets such as his aeroplane , vineyard , car collection and the condo he bought for his father which he is reluctant to do. In episode 4 Carol continues to make wrong choices by getting involved sexually with her boss, this time Helen Rantz. The relationship moves at a pace which makes Carol uncomfortable and Helen ends it and kicks her out of the network. In the same episode Lepidis makes a come back with an absurd reality show from Holland in which 6 contestants are locked up in a cage and using their advantage points can either acquire a luxury or inflict harm on a cage eg filling it with bugs. The presenter is Matt leblanc.
It rather reminded me of the first audience involved game show Take your Pick in which the audience would bellow ‘Open the Box ‘ or ‘Take the Money’.
Sex features throughout the series but it’s rather like the old days of the Hayes code as there are constraints no doubt me -too- movement imposed. Typically then Leblanc is attracted by a contestant off air going through her yoga moves in her cage provocatively whilst Leblanc pleasures himself. This is reported to Lepidis who uses the footage virally as he detests Leblanc. This has the opposite effect of driving ratings down as there is intensive interest in the show.
Watching series after series I found my attitude and assessment of the characters change. Carol may make regrettable choices but she emerges as a vulnerable sad personality. For all his self -absorption Matt leBalsnc is warm-hearted and generous. Beverley by contract becomes prissy and judgmental and when accused by Leblanc of her and Sean not having the big picture I felt in agreement.
