Heading Out

Tue Feb 26, 10-10.30pm, BBC2

By Gabriel Tate Tue Feb 19 2013

Time Out Ratings

Series one, episode one
The recent death of Richard Briers drew attention to how wretched much of the BBC’s mainstream sitcom output has become. ‘Heading Out’ isn’t going to reverse this downward slide, but if this opener to Sue Perkins’s series is a little light on laughs, it’s still sharply observed and amiably performed. Perkins, in particular, is unrecognisable from her hyper-irritating turns on ‘Supersizers’.

She plays Sara, a vet grappling with the prospect of coming out to her parents as she turns 40: animals, sexuality, family, age… Classic sitcom themes all, but the vaguely autobiographical nature of ‘Heading Out’ gives it a little extra frisson. The physical comedy of the set-piece netball match is awkwardly staged and among a generally strong supporting cast, Joanna Scanlan’s Miriam Margolyes impression seems to come from a different show entirely. Otherwise, a promising start.

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Oh dear. This ill-written paragraph draws attention to how wretched 'mainstream' reviewing has become. Do you wonder we turn to blogs and churnalism for insight and comment rather than such trite imprecise twaddlle. For example, the 'downward slide,..what other kind is there? ....and the aerodynamically unsound notion of its reversal. If someone does not know about the force of gravity, then don't let him write about levity! Is there such a word as 'hyper-irritating?" Were Sue Perkins' s co-presentations of 'Supersizers so easily dismissed as ' 'turns'? What does 'amiably performed' mean? The reviewer pays no attention to the fact that the lead performer is also the writer, offering instead the coy insinuation that a 'little extra frisson' is gleaned from the show being 'vaguely autobiographical'. Daren't he say the L Word even if he finds it a a bit titillating? Get with! It's all a bit simpering and beating around the bush.Grow up Time Out and grace us with a review that looks at this new comedy seriously and in a 2013 context. Is it interesting that Auntie Beeb is putting it on at all? Why now? What kind of stereotypes is it tackling or reinforcing? Where does it fit in bucking trends in mainstream comedy? How does it compare with what C4 is doing with things like Fresh Meat? Does it owe anything to Lip Service? Etc.

Hugo Gore Villiers Thu Feb 28
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God awfull if there was at least 1 laugh it was at the poor licence fee payer , lets laugh at a main character who is a lesbian no no no it has probably set the gay movement back 30 years if this is the best the BBC can produce as a quirky comedy I'd rather are threes company have an extended run . And to have a posh girl as the baddie is1980s it is awful I can't explain the pain j endured watching such show!!!

Chrisloft Tue Feb 26
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