Having spent two years somewhat under-the-radar, a recent BAFTA award means significantly more people will tune into The Inbetweeners' third series, as broadcast on E4 every week, rather than gorge on the DVD box-sets. Writers
Damon Beesley and
Iain Morris may even feel real pressure to maintain quality, without turning the show into a caricature of its former self. There were already signs that series 2 lacked the restraint of its first year -- so will series 3 find surer footing, or continue a slide? "The Fashion Show" was a perfectly decent opener that delivered the requisite laughs, shocks, and embarrassments that appeals about this knockabout comedy about four sex-obsessed sixth formers. As always, it was hectically paced and kind of tumbled through its set-pieces, but the second half was significantly calmer and more focused once the titular fashion show got underway. Yes indeed, Carli (
Emily Head) had organized a school fashion show and the gang were desperate to be part of the experience -- well, apart for nerdy Will (
Simon Bird), who objected to the event for moral reasons shared by overbearing teacher Mr Gilbert (
Greg Davies). A rare moment of agreement.
Simon (
Joe Thomas) was desperate to help Carli's venture go smoothly; Neil (
Blake Harrison) just saw an opportunity to ogle half-naked girls backstage; and Jay (
James Buckley), now taken to wearing an ear-ring, had a sudden desire to become a male model because they get a lot of action with the ladies. The ensuing event passed with a variety of amusing hitches: Neil frustrated the girls were hidden behind a curtain, before being chased by the school's resident paedophile teacher Mr Kennedy (one of the show's least savory running jokes); Jay finding himself as an understudy with an infected ear lobe; Will was pushed into catwalk duties by his beloved Charlotte (
Emily Atack); and Simon was likewise given a prominent role, only to unwittingly parade around with a testicle poking out from behind a pair of leather Speedos.
Overall, "The Fashion Show" wasn't The Inbetweeners at its absolute best, but it wasn't bad and sustained the giggles. The sequence with Simon's exposed hairy testicle was a definite highlight, even if the shock-value's been diminished post-
There's Something About Mary, and the script was always busily dishing up one-liners and funny set-pieces. There were times when it felt a little desperate, and I still think the actors are a little rough around the edges, but I'm sure fans of the show had little to complain about. I just wish there were a few more adult characters (especially teachers), and maybe some schoolgirls who aren't
all there to be objects of the boy's lust. At times it's very obvious this show is written by two men, exaggerating their own school experiences, but it sometimes feel very one-sided and it would be nice to see a broader,
slightly more accurate take on sixth form.
WRITERS: Damon Beesley & Iain Morris DIRECTOR: Ben Palmer CAST: Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Emily Atack & Emily Head TRANSMISSION: 13 September 2010 - E4/HD, 10PM
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