Russell Tovey

Him and Her was originally given the frankly awful title of Young, Unemployed & Lazy. It's great that they changed it, as it could have fatally altered perceptions of this witty, touching show. Written by Stefan Golaszewski, it's is the story of a twentysomething couple, Steve and Becky (Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani) loafing around a one-bed flat hoping the rest of the world leaves them alone. Set in real time, it has the feel of a series of short plays and, like Golaszewski's other work, balances pathos and dry wit beautifully. There's great support from Ricky Champ, Kerry Howard and Joe Wilkinson, too.

New series If you find the gentle relationship comedy of Roger and Val Have Just Got In a bit staid, Stefan Golaszewski's lewd and crude comedy should be more up your street. Russell Tovey stars as unemployed Jack-the-lad Steve, whose main preoccupation is having sex with his girlfriend, Becky (Sarah Solemani), in his grotty bedsit. When it's not plumbing the depths, there are some good moments of bickering that will be recognisable to anyone who's ever been in a relationship. And just as natural that Steve - like most men - always manages to say the wrong thing. The chemistry between the two leads and its naturalistic tone gives Him & Her's filthy comedy a warm-hearted edge, though sometimes it pushes the naturalism too far - I really don't need to see Sarah Solemani going to the toilet, thanks.

This new comedy for BBC3 is actually pretty good. Centered around the squalid bedsit of an unemployed couple it's unashamedly gritty, and plumbs the comedic depths that few shows are brave enough to exploit. But despite the filthy tone the show's leads (Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani) lend Him & Her a warm-hearted edge that makes the whole package come together somehow.

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Stefan Golaszewski's new six-part comedy is supposed to offer insights into the lives of two unemployed twentysomethings, who essentially live for three things: drinking, eating and sex. It's a post-student world, captured warts and all, which should be funnier. The ambition-free pair are Steve (Russell Tovey) and his girlfriend Becky (Sarah Solemani).

Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani interview

An interview with Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani alongside the show's writer Sefan Golaszewski...

Video: Russell Tovey & Sarah Solemani discuss Him & Her

Paul MacInnes talks to Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani on the set of their new BBC3 show Him & Her (originally titled Young, Unemployed and Lazy, as you'll hear) which starts Monday, Sept 6 at 10.30pm.

This latest pilot has enough comic pedigree to split the funny atom. David Cross (Arrested Development) and Monkey Dust's Shaun Pye write - the cast includes Sharon Horgan, Will Arnett, Russell Tovey and even a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of Kristen Schaal. Cross is Todd, a desk monkey who's sent to London by Arnett to promote a hideous energy drink. It doesn't quite hold together, and is short a laugh or five, but the talent suggests it could still be worth a series.

This year's series of hit-and-miss comedy show pilots continues with The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, about a US executive (Arrested Development's David Cross) who finds himself out of his depth when he is mistakenly sent to run his company's UK arm. Russell Tovey and Sharon Horgan are among the supporting cast.

Another gem of a pilot from C4's Comedy Showcase testing ground. Todd (David Cross) is a brash American sent to London to sell an energy drink to an unsuspecting British public. Trouble is, our culturally narrow-minded protagonist soon finds himself a fish out of water, and hindered further by his unhelpful English assistant (Russell Tovey). It plays out well, and there is enjoyable support from an Anglo-American cast that also includes Will Arnett and Pulling's Sharon Horgan.