48 reviews
Great Fun
This was a very carefully crafted mockumentary on life in darkest Essex. Very strong ensemble playing, carefully paced and a brilliant script.
I loved it, this could be a very successful sitcom and has some elements of Benidorm. Tom Davis was brilliant and threw himself into the dead pan and ironic situations.
Just watched series 1 and it was really great, I'm not sure why but this series reminds me of Sorry with Ronnie Corbet, I think perhaps because he always started with a personal plan and then it went awry, either way I loved it
Series 2, it was very funny but they really upped the cringeworthy elements. This style of exaggerated mockumentary is not everyone's cup of tea, just like People Doing Nothing or Mandy, but for those that do this was great, I laughed out loud so this tells you something.
The script was both inventive and sharp, I say haters stay away!
I loved it, this could be a very successful sitcom and has some elements of Benidorm. Tom Davis was brilliant and threw himself into the dead pan and ironic situations.
Just watched series 1 and it was really great, I'm not sure why but this series reminds me of Sorry with Ronnie Corbet, I think perhaps because he always started with a personal plan and then it went awry, either way I loved it
Series 2, it was very funny but they really upped the cringeworthy elements. This style of exaggerated mockumentary is not everyone's cup of tea, just like People Doing Nothing or Mandy, but for those that do this was great, I laughed out loud so this tells you something.
The script was both inventive and sharp, I say haters stay away!
- martimusross
- Jan 17, 2019
- Permalink
Cringeworthy but hilarious
The first series was really good and all the main characters have their individual moments of brilliance. The King family are middle class people's worst nightmare; a working class family who have come into or made money buy don't have the class and decorum for middle class life.
The second series was even funnier than the first series. The new neighbour makes the King Family look like neighbours from heaven.
I really enjoy this show and think it's a massively underrated show of comedic genius.
The second series was even funnier than the first series. The new neighbour makes the King Family look like neighbours from heaven.
I really enjoy this show and think it's a massively underrated show of comedic genius.
- hammer_life
- Jul 31, 2021
- Permalink
humorous take on keeping up with the Joneses
The underlying driver in the plot here is Gary Kings need to be seen as 'top dog' in the suburban cul de sac where he lives. Much merriment at his expense ensues as his various schemes are shown up for the vacuous and pointless shows of wealth and status that they are. Good laughs to be had here!
8 for the first
Few episodes then it gets kind of ridiculous. I was ecstatic when I found this then after a few episodes unfortunately that went away. I did not know this was Tom Davis from Murder in successville ( which I quite liked) . He's really funny, the wife, the dad and some of the others but the writing got so pathetic I had to, sadly give up after about 5 episodes.
- Headturner1
- Sep 5, 2021
- Permalink
Crown of Plastic, Heart of Gold
Tom Davis quite explicitly wanted to create a "working class comedy that doesn't punch down" and in King Gary, boosted up to series mode after a charming pilot in 2018, manages the brief quite admirably. Bolstered by a strong cast of comedy legends (particularly the hypnotically mannered performance of Laura Checkley and the evergreen Neil Maskell) the absurd scenarios, cringing observations about contemporary British culture and cartoonish foolishness doesn't always hang together terribly well but the core of it is the relationship between Gary and Terri. It's got a rare amount of heart and character beneath the crass foolishness that keeps me coming back for more.
- owen-watts
- Dec 24, 2020
- Permalink
Make it a series!
I thought the plot, the actors, the dialogue, the comedy and witty-ness involved made up all the right elements to make a true, comedy gold series. Shame it's been taken down from iplayer already, but showed family and friends it whilst it was available to view and laughed hard every time i watched it!
FANTASTIC!
- swanscottben
- Jan 27, 2019
- Permalink
A Pilot?
This MUST be a series!
Surely even the Beeb can see this!
- marklaw-37806
- Jan 13, 2019
- Permalink
Second series ruined it
I enjoyed the pilot and then the first series, 7/10 there were things I found irritating but then it was outweighed by the good.
However series two is abysmal, it almost went cartoony, the wife is absolutely horrific to watch, the mannerisms, plus her and Gary seem to really push this ridiculous accent and dialogue in parts it's awful, she has these awful facials and situations that are just awful, she is a real detriment to the show and it'd have been better played a bit less ridiculously and bit more natural.
Think the accents and script went downhill in 2, was really weak and they tried to hard to be funny, just fell flat, think there's a few laughs but not much.
There's a plethora of top kid actors... he's not one
Rest of the cast is meh, average at best, not sure having romesh was good or bad, but he had funny parts.
It could redeem itself but I genuinely detested the second series, I understand the choice for daft dialogue but the voices are just stupid.
However series two is abysmal, it almost went cartoony, the wife is absolutely horrific to watch, the mannerisms, plus her and Gary seem to really push this ridiculous accent and dialogue in parts it's awful, she has these awful facials and situations that are just awful, she is a real detriment to the show and it'd have been better played a bit less ridiculously and bit more natural.
Think the accents and script went downhill in 2, was really weak and they tried to hard to be funny, just fell flat, think there's a few laughs but not much.
There's a plethora of top kid actors... he's not one
Rest of the cast is meh, average at best, not sure having romesh was good or bad, but he had funny parts.
It could redeem itself but I genuinely detested the second series, I understand the choice for daft dialogue but the voices are just stupid.
- chris_rowe-881-168820
- Aug 18, 2021
- Permalink
Absolute gem!
Just happened upon this pilot by chance late at night on the BBC and what a delight! It made me laugh from start to finish. Tom Davis and Laura Checkley are spot on. It's very well cast and could be the next This Country. Please make more!
Very Funny
We downloaded the pilot because we missed it last year. I am so glad that we did. King Gary's pacing, humour and dialogue are fabulous. We laughed so hard. I have to say that Tom's complete dedication to King Gary, made it all fly. It is like he's stuck in another era, and the outsiders looking in, raise their eyebrows, and look on in disbelief at this larger than life character. Fabulous, can't wait for the beginning of this series, which airs this eve. Great cast too. Good luck guys 10PM BBC1 Friday's, I hope you fly, we all need some light relief, and this is certainly it for our family.
- samanthariversuk
- Jan 9, 2020
- Permalink
Brilliantly written and acted, I need more!
I watched the first episode on Friday and I had to go to IPlayer and watch the rest I couldn't resist. Chock full of of great actors, witty, excellent scripts and great pace. It's a good way to unwind after a long week, feel-good comedy that rightly deserves at least two more series.
I have been laughing all day because of this and you can't have too much of that in your life.
If you get it....you get it!
This show is the sitcom equivalent of marmite, you love it or hate it!
I am a lover, relatable, silly, clean good humour, a few stereotypes but what sitcom doesn't? It's a show you can just pick up from anywhere and enjoy it. Well done Mr Tom Davis
- mike-28154
- Jan 16, 2020
- Permalink
30 minutes of my life I won't get back
One of the worst 'comedies' I have ever seen. Nothing was even remotely funny or entertaining. How this was ever commissioned as a series is anyone's guess. Total waste of the licence fee. Bring back Del Boy, Victor Meldrew and Edmund Blackadder. It. Is. Rubbish.
Hilariously Funny Magical Sitcom
Very Funny show this, with a Good Message and a Strong Family Thread throughout. Gary King (The Brilliant Tom Davis) has recently taken charge of the Family building firm from his Dad Big Gary (Simon Day). Little Gary, (he's six foot eight!) attempts to navigate his Family, neighbours and employees through a series of hilarious adventures. One of the features of King Gary is the Great Cast, Neil Maskell (superb as always), Camila Coduri, Laura Checkley and Romesh Ranganathan. It also features really well written Scripts and some truly hilarious situations. Episode 5, Big Gary's Birthday at the High Tech Mini Golf Centre is Pure Genius and one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time! In Truth though, every episode is a Gem. Brilliant Show this and I can't wait for season 2.
- stobbs-58012
- Feb 8, 2020
- Permalink
Comedy really??????
If the BBC think this is a comedy they need to look back at their archives. This is painful to watch. Managed about 10 minutes before I gave up on this rubbish
- glennmarch
- Jan 24, 2020
- Permalink
Best British Comedy in years!
We've had some decent comedy's over the years but this is up there with the best it's like the new royle family,hopefully there's plenty more series of this to come!
- crossy-54701
- Jun 30, 2020
- Permalink
Comedy Gold
I was surprised how funny this was, if you dont like cringe comedy, it's not for you. Well written and just loads of fun
- smundy-59462
- Jan 14, 2020
- Permalink
Abysmal....
Really? The BBC who cancelled Count Arthur Strong, a truly funny and remarkable comedy show put out complete dross like this. I honestly cannot believe it. Loud, vulgar, ugly well done the beeb you have plumbed new depths in producing banal television.
- rickytravis68
- Jan 30, 2020
- Permalink
Cracked up
So funny reminds me of a mock of towie.
Made me laugh so much .... Eyebrows and the start where he is in the lido and looking in the mirror.
Not seen anything that Finn in ages!!!!
Made me laugh so much .... Eyebrows and the start where he is in the lido and looking in the mirror.
Not seen anything that Finn in ages!!!!
- fastclaire
- Aug 16, 2021
- Permalink
WTAF?
Drab cockney dross. Stupid, unintelligible nonsense.
Just Superb
Criminally under rated judging by some of the reviews on here.
Tom D excels and is only outshone by the magnificent Laura Checkely.
Tom D excels and is only outshone by the magnificent Laura Checkely.
- thomashare-94715
- Jul 30, 2021
- Permalink
Fabulous and fun
Only just found this when season 2 started. So went back to start. Watched all In a evening after work. Good fun and makes ya smile. I do love Tom. He is fabulous and so funny. Hope they do more.
- helenderbyshire
- Aug 1, 2021
- Permalink
Absolutely Awful !!!
This is one of, if not THE worst program i have ever had the misfortune to watch.
Awful, just shockingly awful.
Awful, just shockingly awful.
- connectpenelope-15345
- Jan 30, 2020
- Permalink
Top comedy that pokes affectionate fun at its characters
Great writing and performances in this great show, and what is not seen too much these days, really on the ball visual comedy. The two leads are outstanding with a great ensemble cast in support. The first one of the series is the best but the others, and the pilot, which I caught up with after, are also very good. Great soundtrack too, the art of matching the perfect tune to the linking action is well realised here. King of comedy!
- rob-k-149-929422
- Jan 21, 2020
- Permalink
Utter dross
Incredibly unfunny - cant believe the underwhelming pilot led to a series! It's just preposterous. Shame Davis ditched murder in successville to pursue squit like this and action team!