Tim Dawson

By a light year, this was the worst show of 2008. So bad was it that I briefly considered jacking my job in as a TV critic... no lies. Imagine the most tawdry, lazy, vapid, vacuous show you've ever seen and then multiply by a million. If you can imagine that, then you're about a third of the way to understand just how dismal this show is. Without doubt, Coming of Age is the worst thing ever broadcast in television history. There isn't a word invented to tell you how bad it is.

When I wrote my original review for this show, I noted that although I thought it was pretty naff, I didn't mind it. Since that first episode, however, my ability to put up with endless knob gags from a bunch of unreal teenage characters has declined rapidly. There's just no getting away from it. This is an absolute pile of shit. The BBC should be ashamed.

Richmond College student stars in BBC sitcom

An article about Anabel Barnston, who plays Chloe in Coming Of Age.

Coming Of Age is one of those shows that, patently, you either love or loathe. One thing was for certain - BBC Three was obviously aiming at its new, laser-like precision demographic. I was intrigued and was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. I strapped myself in... and was amazed.

So, the first joke. Drama teacher: Chloe, your character hasn't seen Dick since the war broke out. And Matt, your character is desperate... for Fanny. Oh dear. That was just the tip of the double entendre iceberg in that scene. The very first scene in the show. It was like watching TV from the 1970s. But with teenagers delivering the lines and not Richard O'Sullivan. It was weird.

The rest of the episode was a blur. Not necessarily a blur, but more of a smear. It was just one long smear of a knob joke. Every single line was peppered with both single and double entendres - it was like a teenage Carry On film. Without the finesse.

Honestly, after the first 10 minutes I realised I had never felt such rancour towards a television programme. It's just so insulting to the viewer. E4's The Inbetweeners proved you can do a teen gross-out comedy with style, but this missed the mark like a blind archer.

Coming Of Age Review

Ladies and Gentlemen, I know I've said this before, but this time, I mean it. I've seen the worst TV show ever transmitted in broadcast history. Imagine the most tawdry, lazy, vapid, vacuous show you've ever seen and then multiply by a million. If you can imagine that, then you're about a third of the way to understand just how dismal Coming Of Age is.

BBC3 continues its mission to be painfully hip and down with the young audience it is desperate to attract with this woefully misfiring sitcom about a group of sixth form students. It's hackneyed and feels like it was made about 10 years ago with gags that fail to hit their mark with alarming regularity. Just because it's written by a 19 year old doesn't mean it's going to appeal to the youngsters. Avoid.