Rob Delaney has crafted a reputation over the past few years as being one of the funniest people on Twitter, but could that really translate to a TV show? While his tweets are hilarious, I saw him do stand-up last year and it wasn't quite the same (obviously it was something different, but while still solid it didn't reach the hilarity he brings in 140 characters). So I had reservations going into Catastrophe, although was still optimistic it'd be a fun show. I was wrong on both counts. The reservations were dumbfounded, and it wasn't so much a fun show as it was an extremely funny, sometimes gross, surprisingly emotional one. Created by Delaney and Sharon Horgan, who also play the lead characters (named after themselves), this is exactly the sort of great rom-com that Judd Apatow has been trying to make over the last few years. A quick fling when ad-man Rob is visiting England on business turns into something more when it turns out that Sharon, a teacher, is pregnant, and he decided to move his life over to the UK and be a proper father to the baby, and the pair decided to give being an actual couple a go as well. In both seasons (because they managed to get two out in one year, although admittedly they are just six episodes each) there is a great sweetness and chemistry between the pair, but they're never afraid to undercut that with a moment of bickering that can be acid-tongued at times, or some total gross out toilet humour that Delaney has become known for on Twitter. Both of the creators are great, there's genuine humour and warmth, and as a bonus it features Carrie Fisher being, well, all levels of Carrie Fisher awesomeness as Rob's overbearing mother.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
