Benidorm

A refreshing new comedy based on the typical average Joe's holiday abroad for the past 30 years - a week in Benidorm. Why did nobody think of it before? Up to date themes are used to great effect. Including a gay twosome, a married couple who's action between the sheets has run out of steam and a middle-aged couple of unlikely "swingers" who unashamedly recount their exploits in graphic detail. It would be interesting to hear how paying holiday makers at the Los Pelicanos Hotel fared whilst the TV crew took over parts of the complex for filming last year. Regular Benidorm holidaymakers will recognise much in this series of programmes. One commentator has remarked that the show loses something from barely straying from the confines of the "all in" deal at the hotel. But I would suggest that this has been done to contain costs. I once wrote gags for BBC TV and was more than once ticked off by a script editor for including too many characters or setting in my sketches.

It's good to hear that ITV's Director of Entertainment, Paul Jackson, has ignored less than favourable reviews of this first series to commission a further extended series which should commence filming in Benidorm later this year. Let's hope that writer, Derren Litten, has a few more laughs up his sleeve.

Benidorm

Watched The Lot

There was some golden comedy moments but we had several characters that were just nasty and rude for no reason and yet this was meant to be entertaining. Often it descended into "soap" territory that often ruined a basic sitcom.

The earlier seasons and characters were better written and acted but they just seemed to run out of ideas despite the flexible format and it just fizzled out.

Overall I'm giving this a hard 7 even through it was quite variable and fell apart is series 9 and 10.

This review is for the first 7 season. A great classic British comedy that is hilarious. The characters in the beginning are well developed and likeable, even though they are constantly getting into classic. There is a fine line between creating uncomfortable moments and just driving into the ground. The difference is with the Garvey's they managed the art between creating those uncomfortable keeping them funny. I simply liked all the characters that were in those first seasons and the remaining season I'd have to rate 4 stars, I can see why it was cancelled its seemed to get more ridiculous up to the last season.

Again a fantastic show that the writing and characters lost their mojo at the end.

Brilliant script, great characters, amazing cast, a true comedy all-around and a very good depiction of the British culture. There's been episodes where I literally can't stop laughing out loud! Lesley is my all-time favourite character! Keep up the good work 👍

This has to rate as one of the best comedy series ever, with its wonderful mix of characters drawn from all walks of life, even the odd upper class character trying to get a holiday on the cheap. As it is mostly a Sitcom, the characters don't need to venture into Benidorm much to liven up the proceedings. The people make it, the cliched Spanish waiter misunderstands everything, the middle aged couple with kids who spend much of their time fighting, the swingers, the homosexuals, and so it goes on. But the interaction and comedy is great, and the series must have been really popular because it even got a Christmas Special one year! I especially loved Jake Canuso for his versatility, breaking into dance and acrobatics when required, and Siobhan Finneran, who says 'give over, will ya', all the time to her squabbling relatives. The karaoke sessions are classic. The perfect antidote to the lockdown blues.