Being Human (BBC3 tonight - UK)

[bgowland]

I caught the pilot episode of this quite by accident last year. I don't normally go out of my way to recommend things but the pilot had enough promise that if you're into comedy / drama / horror / supernatural etc., I'd say give it a go. 9pm BBC3 tonight (repeated 00:15).

Synopsis:

Following a successful pilot last year, the drama about a very unusual flat-share returns for a six-part series. Say hello to Annie the ghost, Mitchell the vampire and George the werewolf (the excellent Russell Tovey), whose efforts to be ordinary are thwarted by tendencies to grow three-inch fangs or disappear. It sounds daft, and it is - but it's also funny and scary.

Penned by Doctor Who/Torchwood writer Toby Whithouse, it deftly switches scenes between domestic humour and bloody terror. The danger is that the novelty will wear off. Fortunately, there's a larger plot afoot: the vampire community are planning insurrection. Can Mitchell resist the temptation to join in?

[martint123]

Go on then, I'll give it a try - I've hit the record button for the 0015 repeat.
Mind you I get worried when I see it repeated as much as it appears to be!

[herbs]

I had a funny feeling i had seen this before, I just dont remember I what I thought of it. Oh well I'll watch 0015 repeat, it cant be as bad as some of the shite so called comedies that the bbc seem to be pushing out at the moment like trexx and flipside and that genic soldier one.

[Pob]

On at midnight on BBC HD - will record it. Usually stuff is simulcast on BBC HD, but tonight they simulcast BBC1 from 9pm to 10.30pm, then BBC2 10.30-midnight, so they had to show it later. I wanted to watch it because of Russell Tovey, who I thought was very good in Little Dorrit - and I think in one of the Doctor Who Christmas specials?

[pcostanza]

Just watched it and it did get my interest. It's always hard to tell after just 1 episode but it has promise. I love Dr. Who and Torchwood. Even Demons has some interesting characters.
I tried to find the pilot episode but couldn't find it but I guess it's not necessary.

[fuzzweed]

Brilliant. Thanks for the heads up.

[bgowland]

Brilliant. Thanks for the heads up.

Glad you liked it although I'm a bit disappointed with the changes - Russell Tovey is the only one of the original three main actors.

The guy that now plays the vampire is sufficiently close in character that I wasn't sure it was somebody different at first, but the original ghost was more a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal than pretty frocks and wavy hair. Nothing against the actress now playing her but quite a difference.

Oh well, definitely worth persevering with.

@pcostanza - the BBC have apparently 'archived' the pilot possibly never to see the light of day again. It's on YouTube in 10min chunks though.

Cheers,
Brian

[pcostanza]

What is it about the Beeb that they only do 4-6 episodes when they start a series? I understand they don't want to promise 24 episodes like in the states but by the time 6 shows are played, you're just getting to know the characters. I would like 10-12 at least.
However, I wish we could watch 55 minutes of tv without commercials.

[fuzzweed]

What is it about the Beeb that they only do 4-6 episodes when they start a series? I understand they don't want to promise 24 episodes like in the states but by the time 6 shows are played, you're just getting to know the characters. I would like 10-12 at least.
However, I wish we could watch 55 minutes of tv without commercials.

cos most of the ones they commission are crap. I'd rather wait for series two after a good 6 episodes, than wait through 13 weeks of drivel....