Im a huge fan of eccentric people otherwise known as me. It's all the more better when theyre eccentric gay people otherwise known as me, I think. This new show Vicious only attracted me because of the involvement of both Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi, veterans of stage and screen and damn fine actors to boot. They play Freddie (McKellen) and Stuart (Jacobi), a couple who have spent the past forty-eight years living in a flat in Covent Gardens and survive by mocking each other and being generally
vicious. This show also features, as Freddie and Stuarts friend Violet, famed-by-Harry Potter actress Frances de la Tour and as their neighbour Ash, Iwan Rheon. It is created by Mark Ravenhill, primarily known for his work on the stage and writer Gary Janetti, producer of Will & Grace. The idea of two legends (as-well as actual gay men) starring together in a situation comedy is one generally quite uncommon in our world of television but I have to say, boy does it work! At least here we are not cursed by mediocre acting and a horrid delivery; instead we are blessed as viewers by a stellar cast that interact with each other perfectly and a wonderful delivery of jokes and one-liners given by writer Gary Janetti. Our first episode deals with the death of Clive and the ensuing wake/tea party held by Freddie and Stuart and attended by Violet and their other friends Mason and the senile Penelope. At the gathering Violet is attempting to, along with Freddie, deduce whether or not Ash is gay and she becomes disheartened when she is told that Ash would not want to rape her, a shocking comedic moment. What follows are simple jokes one would expect of such a couple, having endured so much time together. Each character complements the other although Ashs accent may be a touch too gruff for these posh English gents. Penelope doesnt do all that much, opting instead to repeat herself and wonder if Ash, an obviously English-English boy, is Chinese. Mason is more depressing than our star couple as he complains about the crum-sized food, all the while Freddie and Stuart bicker over who was the true apple to their dead friends eye. I suspect this show will receive wonderful reviews; even if it flops I shall remain an ardent fan. Vicious features a glorious cast and a simple and effective plot which is very modern in these times of same-sexual debate. I reject the notion of this being a gay show because that is the problem with same-sex issues, if people simply didnt ignore or take notice of peoples sexuality, those who currently suffer with their sexual identity wouldnt do so at all. Would you call The Big Bang Theory a straight TV show? No, you wouldnt; because that would sound silly. Despite what I say here, this show can have great positive effects because of its portrayal of a same-sex relationship as being entirely natural, which they of course are; a fact many in our society find incomputable. It is evident that Freddie and Stuart love each other deep down and thats how they cope with having been together for so long; they act vicious. This is an intelligent, fresh comedy whose main selling point is its cast and the insofar great writing.