TV review: Miranda

A staggering 10 million viewers tuned in on Boxing Day to see the launch of the latest series of the sitcom, essentially about a tall woman who falls over a lot, beating off competition from the likes of EastEnders to become the most watched programme of the festive season.

And what's more the British Comedy Award-winning show, penned by and starring Call The Midwife's Miranda Hart, has climbed its way to the top without resorting to any of the nastiness that is often found on primetime TV.

Instead it has drawn its legion of fans thanks to an infectious mix of slapstick and self-deprecating humour.

In Miranda you won't find anyone being cruelly taunted – Miranda herself is the butt of most of the humour – and its jokes are suitable for all the family, with younger members particularly likely to enjoy the pantomime-esque nature of the show.

In last night's second episode of the series Miranda's mum Penny, played with tongue firmly in cheek by Patricia Hodge, causes her daughter huge embarrassment when she decides to stand as a local councillor, while her would-be love interest Gary, played by Tom Ellis, has found himself a new girlfriend, prompting Miranda to hit the dating scene herself.

Cue lots of farcical situations, misunderstandings and embarrassing episodes which include our heroine trying to be a tractor on the dance floor, getting arrested for impersonating a police officer and prancing around in her underwear sporting a giant false moustache – yet somehow still impressing new boyfriend Michael enough to go on a second date.

Hart's aptitude for physical comedy – at 6ft 1in she literally towers above her fellow cast members – is put to good use in this show and there is no doubting she has a flair for writing, with the jokes coming thick and fast, even if the studio audience seemed to be enjoying it all a little too much.

It is also good to see a primetime television show based around a woman, in particular one that many females across the country could relate to with her awkwardness and weight issues.

However with its 'Allo 'Allo-style introduction and asides to camera and constant flashbacks to events gone by, Miranda can take a bit of getting used to for the uninitiated.

The acting was also very over-the-top at times but with a sitcom, particularly one as slapstick as this, you can just about get away with it; it is the pantomime season after all and compared to Mrs Brown's Boys which follows afterwards, the cast of Miranda were positively restrained.

But this show is all about the laughs and when it boils down to it, Miranda does just that.

Bosses at the Beeb will be hoping last week's flying start helps give the ratings a boost throughout the six episode series and on a cold winter's night when you just want to curl up on the sofa, such a gentle and reliable comedy is probably just what most people are after.

But fans should enjoy it while it lasts as rumours are already abound that the current series could be the last with the cast keen to make the most of their fame by taking on new roles Stateside.

Helen Brown