Psychoville Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Sheer Genius

Coming from the pen of two of the League of Gentlemen, you'd expect this series to be both dark and funny, both of which it most certainly is. Its also a brilliantly plotted, addictive mystery peopled by remarkable characters and performed to perfection by writers Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith as well as the likes of Dawn French, Adrian Scarborough and Eileen Atkins.

Starting with a series of mysterious letters delivered to seemingly unrelated characters and bearing the threat 'I know what you did', each episdoe builds the mystery by revealing increasingly tantalising details of each character and their back story, including the embittered one-handed clown Mr Jelly, recusive collector Mr Lomax, misguided midwife Joy and her 'baby' Freddie Fruitcake and a telekinetic dwarf. My own particular favourites are David and Maureen Sowerbutts, the rather- too-close mother and son would-be serial killers. And its they who benefit from the best episode of the lot, a jaw-droppingly inventive, stand-alone tribute to Hitchcock's 'Rope' filmed on one set in just two shots (with an imperceptible cut necessitated by technical requirements) and a very special guest star who will have League fans rubbing their hands in glee.

Highlights to look out for are the Clown Court, the children's playground chase, the Superman Dance... once you start, you can't stop. The script is eminently quotable too. League fans will love it but its likely to attract a whole new audience as long as your sense of humour leans towards the macabre.

As a final plus point, the DVD extras are very good, as they always are with League material, including comprehensive commentaries and a detailed breakdown of the special episode. Genuinely one of the highlights of Summer 09 television (and okay, there haven't been many) and destined to become a comedy classic. Roll on Series 2.

boooringville

I dont know why people ever found the league of gentleman funny in the first place, the jokes are all designed to be slightly repulsive and yet they dont tickle a single nerve. Psychoville is no better, if not worse. the characters are irritating, pointless and stupid