Matt Lucas

Come Fly with Me, BBC One, review

The most frustrating thing about Come Fly with Me, Matt Lucas and David Walliams's airport comedy that finished its six-episode run on BBC One last night, was that beneath the lurching mish-mash of brilliant performances, hamfisted stereotypes, great jokes, crass clunkers, inspired catchphrases and overworked mantras, there was a really quite good satire trying to get out.

It ran into some pretty severe critical turbulence following a faltering pilot episode on Christmas Day, but Matt Lucas and David Walliams's first comedy series since Little Britain was a hit with viewers right from the start and it has only increased in confidence as it has gone along. Even the accusations in the media of racism and endless other forms of offensiveness have fallen away as the programme's characters have bedded down, and it became clear that Lucas and Walliams were embracing the full gamut of cultural expression in 21st-century Britain rather than perversely ignoring it for the sake of political correctness.

The result is that, for some of us at least, it is possible to feel some disappointment that the series is ending after only six episodes. And with most of FlyLo's ground staff threatening to go on strike, we're promised the series will go out on a high note. Among the pleasures is a resolution to whether Keeley or Melody will do the maternity cover for their pregnant boss Helen; burger-flipper Tommy's pilot-training interview; and whether Fearghal of Our Lady Air will win big at the Steward of the Year awards; and the sight of hyper-snobbish hostess Penny being demoted to work in economy. Speaking of high notes, there's even a song: when passenger liaison officer Moses convinces the massed ranks of the airport ground staff to sing for charity WishWings.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams's zany airport-based mockumentary continues. Bitter husband-and-wife pilot team Simon and Jackie face a bumpy ride when Simon's one-night stand is rostered onto their Barcelona flight. We find out which member of FlyLo's check-in staff has caught the fancy of hapless burger-boy Tommy Reid. And snobby head stewardess Penny gets a visit from a member of the Royal household.

Come Fly With Me Defended... by Jim Davidson

TV viewers have complained that Matt Lucas and David Walliams' new comedy series set in an airport is racist.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams's airport-based comedy series introduced a great new line-up of grotesques but, just three episodes in, some are already beginning to feel a teeny bit repetitive. Thank heavens, then, for the arrival of customs officers Robert and Stewart, delightfully perplexed when they stumble upon a massive consignment of smuggled narcotics, and Penny, the airline company's most snobbish employee, who struggles to cope whenever the lower orders dare to travel first class. Also this week, Flylo ground crew Taaj Manzoor bumps into Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint.

I hated Little Britain... but rather like Come Fly With Me. Which is not racist and - according to everyone except me - not funny.

So harmless comedy character duo Matt Lucas and David ­Walliams stand accused of BNP-style white ­sup­remacism? Unbelievable. If that's what you think... PC off! Should we ban the boys from dressing up as anyone who isn't Anglo Saxon? No.

And now on to the more legitimate criticism that BBC1's airport spoof is about as side-splitting as Heathrow in a snow storm. Fair enough. But if it doesn't make you laugh, forget the ­furious complaints. Try the off switch.

Anyway, after last night's second instalment, I remain the founder - and possibly only - member of the CFWM fan club. Sure, it's tasteless. What did you expect... stylish satire?

At least it wasn't awash with bodily functions. Unlike revolting Little Britain. And by the way, with a staggering ­audience of nearly 11 million, Come Fly With Me was the highest-rated ­comedy of 2010. A smash hit.

The writing may not reach the heights of Little Britain at its best (what does?) but Come Fly With Me has enjoyable moments. Matt Lucas's way with a reaction shot is always a joy. There's a good sketch involving a couple complaining about their experience on FlyLo's new cruise service, where David Walliams plays an overbearing wife, but Lucas's worn-down husband is the real star. Similarly when we re-enter the tense world of Simon and Jackie Trent (Britain's first husband-and-wife pilot team), it's Lucas who shines as penitent Simon. Plus cheapskate airline owner Omar shows off his idea of a flat bed seat and hopeless immigration officer Ian Foot gets a geography lesson.

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