'Dad' is a great sitcom from the pen of Andrew Marshall, creator of hitcom 2.4 children. Like the latter, it's a comedy that disguises itself as cosy family viewing, but is deceptively dark and subversive. And like 2.4, Dad never really got the recognition as a true sitcom classic that it deserved.
It's great fun to see Kevin McNally (Alan) going up the wall whilst George Cole's character (Brian) drives him quietly insane, with his old fashioned agenda and over-engineered ideas and systems. But more importantly this sitcom goes beyond making us laugh, as we find ourselves sympathising with the characters, and whimpering at their odd moments of sadness; you have to admire a sitcom where the main character breaks down in tears whilst his father is in hospital, something many of us can relate to.
The characters Marshall serves up here are also very well-rounded, detailed and realistic, which draws us into their world even more.
It's therefore a great shame that after just 2 series, this often overlooked and unusual sitcom was stopped dead in its tracks, as a regime change took place at the beeb. You can get both series together with excellent extras on Australian DVD though a release that finally does the show justice. But just as you finish watching the final episode, a 1999 xmas special, you'll left muttering the words I just want more.
It's great fun to see Kevin McNally (Alan) going up the wall whilst George Cole's character (Brian) drives him quietly insane, with his old fashioned agenda and over-engineered ideas and systems. But more importantly this sitcom goes beyond making us laugh, as we find ourselves sympathising with the characters, and whimpering at their odd moments of sadness; you have to admire a sitcom where the main character breaks down in tears whilst his father is in hospital, something many of us can relate to.
The characters Marshall serves up here are also very well-rounded, detailed and realistic, which draws us into their world even more.
It's therefore a great shame that after just 2 series, this often overlooked and unusual sitcom was stopped dead in its tracks, as a regime change took place at the beeb. You can get both series together with excellent extras on Australian DVD though a release that finally does the show justice. But just as you finish watching the final episode, a 1999 xmas special, you'll left muttering the words I just want more.