Nick Helm

Like Nick Helm's BBC3 comedy Uncle, this period sitcom from Sky Atlantic begins with a botched suicide attempt, but (as with Uncle) the tone lightens significantly from there. Nick Frost plays the titular Sloane, a man out of time in a swinging 60s, separated from his wife and out of work, but ploughing on regardless. Created by Curb Your Enthusiasm alum Robert B Weide, it boasts a supporting cast including Peter Serafinowicz and Olivia Colman.

Machynlleth Comedy Festival 2014: Our picks

Previews of Elis James, Benjamin Partridge, Lloyd Langford, Mike Bubbins, Jordan Brookes, Arthur Smith, Aisling Bea, Robin Ince, Richard Herring and Nick Helm.

If you've been enjoying stand-up comedian Nick Helm's BBC3 sitcom Uncle, you'll be unsurprised to discover he was up to no good. There's only one more episode to go of this first, six-part series and while Andy (Helm) has formed a closer bond with his nephew Errol (Elliot Speller-Gillott), he's still, pleasingly, a truly despicable role model for the kids.

That was proved yet again this week as Andy juggled the affections of three women in a typically craven fashion: current fling Shelly, ex-girlfriend Gwen and Errol's music teacher Melodie. Andy's behaviour was so shabby, he even had to defend himself to an 11-year-old: "What are you? The girlfriend police? I can have as many girlfriends as I want!"

Meanwhile, Andy's sister, Sam was attempting to trade in her reliable but dull AA sponsor, for the übercool Susie, a former Mick Jagger groupie. Susie turned out to be yet another useless role model, but if Sam's after a genuine rock idol to hero-worship I have a much better suggestion: Viv Albertine from the Slits.

Uncle on BBC Three (you pretty much have to go beyond two for a BBC laugh now, House of Fools being the exception). Uncle also celebrates generational differences and misunderstandings, but much more joyously. The uncle (played by Nick Helm) is disastrous but weirdly likable; the kid is nerdy and lovely. They have adventures, it's more outrageous, bolder, more inappropriate, darker, quirkier (there's singing). And - crucially - funny. Which Outnumbered isn't. Maybe once I chuckled to myself, when Pete and his elder son were accusing each other of being racist. That's it, though. And yet it's adored by literally every other critic and it's won a ton of awards. They're wrong though and I'm right.

Nick Helm interview

Nick Helm talks about dealing with "all sorts of fucking people" and making them laugh.

South Bank Awards for Bridget Christie & Nick Helm

2013 Foster's Award Winner Bridget Christie and Nick Helm have been victorious today at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

Comparisons with About A Boy are inevitable but - with the undeniable boon of there being nary a Hugh Grant in sight - this tale of an unlikely friendship struck between Nick Helm's suicidal, solipsistic and rather dickish Andy and his nerdy, timid and rather dickish nephew Errol is, in turns, awkward, hilarious, surreal and poignant. But never too poignant. Ideal for filling any Him And Her-shaped hole in your life.

Nick Helm plays the titular suicidal Andy who is temporarily dragged out of his misery to reluctantly look after his 12-year-old nephew, Errol. After an initial stand-off, the pair use their equal status as outsiders to forge an unlikely bond. Helm successfully channels the less bombastic side of his stand-up character to portray a loveable loser and the overall effect is curiously moving, as well as intermittently hilarious. Perhaps he'll have lost it in 20 years' time, but for now, let's just enjoy a comedian approaching his prime.

The only comedy that felt vaguely fresh last week was the newest show from BBC Three, Uncle.

I feel the strength of Uncle comes from the chemistry between Nick Helm and Elliot Spencer-Gillot, whose awkward exchanges really liven up what could be quite an ordinary show. Oliver Refson's script does have some memorable moments, however I personally felt the more tender segments made the sitcom rise above the usual BBC Three fare. Though the final act of episode one was a little over-sentimental, it did make me feel that Uncle was a full-rounded show and wasn't just a one-note comedy.

In addition there are some fantastic support performance most notably from Con O'Neil who appears to be having a ball as the strip-club owning transvestite.

I'm just hoping that future episodes of Uncle have the same mix of lowbrow humour and realistic moments that this opener had because, if it does, BBC Three could have another comedy hit on its hands.