Every HBO Comedy Ranked From Worst To Best
26. Camping
Julia Davis is one of the most distinctive voices in British comedy, which is to say that she peddles a style of outrageously grotesque and bleak sitcom writing that no other creative would dare to try. Camping may not be as downright depressing as her breakthrough hit Nighty Night, but as a six episode descent into madness, it doesn’t get much stranger, nor much funnier.
As the title suggests, this is a show set in the gentile world of tents and cookouts. A group of old friends gather in the countryside to celebrate Robin’s (Steve Pemberton, hilariously pathetic) 50th birthday. But the ostensibly happy and serene scene quickly turns ugly as old wounds are opened, scores are settled, and the whole scene whirls out of control.
Davis’ hallmarks are present and correct - there are spiteful, downright horrible characters, body humour, unrelenting cringe comedy. It’s not for everyone, but if you like your laughs with a side of unremitting darkness, Camping is a winner.