Simon Blackwell

Radio Times review

Time spent with these characters pays off in this, the fourth episode of Chris Addison and Simon Blackwell's comedy and the most assured yet. We feel as if we're on the journey with Matt (Addison) and Meg (the terrific Jo Joyner) as they attempt to move on from her affair, the latest stumbling block being that Ian, her boss and former lover, has a new (hot, young) girlfriend.

Meg insists she's not jealous, a heavyweight lie that the show quite accurately portrays as part of a workable, even enviable relationship. Another way in which Matt and Meg become real is their sense of humour: there are two moments here where they make each other laugh. Sitcoms almost never allow that to happen, but it's like the curtains have opened and sunlight's streamed in.

Chris Addison's and Simon Blackwell's relationship sitcom is warming up. The third episode was the best so far with a spot-on skewering of an awkward spa date.

Radio Times review

Chris Addison and Jo Joyner leave behind The Thick of It and EastEnders respectively and make a left turn. They come together to star in a romcom about a young-ish couple in Kendal, who are bearing up after her recent affair and attempting to rebuild their relationship.

The premise is meant to make Trying Again edgier and more emotional than comedy dramas like Stella and Mount Pleasant, which it resembles on the surface. This doesn't come through much in these first two episodes, since they're too busy being funny: writer Simon Blackwell fills them with strong gags and neat plotting (the callback pay off at the end of episode one is a killer), while Alun Cochrane, Elizabeth Berrington and Alex MacQueen are all on form as cartoonish, traditional-sitcom supporting characters.

The show's identity problem scarcely matters. In particular, Joyner is a revelation as the funny, energetic foil to Addison's nervous, cowardly weed. A new comedy star is born.

Interview: Simon Blackwell

Screenwriter reveals what it was like to tackle more personal and emotive subject matter in Sky Living's Trying Again - and how the process became even more intense when he was doubly bereaved.

The Thick of It definitely not returning says writer

The BBC satire - which showcased Peter Capaldi's world-famous swearing as Malcolm Tucker - was put to bed even before Capaldi was cast in Doctor Who, says Simon Blackwell.

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Eddie Braben was Morecambe and Wise's secret weapon

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The 100 Funniest People On Twitter

We asked our 75,000 followers to nominate the Tweeters that regularly made them laugh - the ones that were frequently mentioned got added to the pile.

Malcolm's back - but who's he got with him?

The new series of BBC2's brilliant political sitcom, The Thick of It, returns on Saturday. So what does coalition politics have in store for Malcolm, and who will the foul-mouthed spin doctor find himself up against? Writer Simon Blackwell introduces new faces and old.