Catastrophe

Radio Times review

Virtually every imaginable relationship pitfall has beset Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's quirky odd couple since they decided to have a baby together after their brief affair. And in the fifth instalment of their comedy spectacular, this adorable pair continue to withstand everything that's thrown in their way.

Sharon cyber-stalks one of Rob's particularly beautiful exes after a cruel set-up by his mother (Carrie Fisher). And he is forced to face up to his exasperated US employers in an especially delicious (and foul-mouthed) Skype call. Carried along by the leads' superb chemistry and the power of love, it's as raw, dirty, quirky, tender, meaningful and touching as ever.

A "Catastrophic" romance

The couple I'm most interested in is one that can laugh together, support one another and basically resist bolting for the door every time the other one does something annoying. Meet Sharon (Sharon Horgan) and Rob (Rob Delaney), the most endearing accidental pair you'd ever want to meet.

Sharon receives more worrying news as she's told, thanks to her "geriatric" pregnancy, that her baby has a relatively high chance of being born with Down's syndrome. As she waits for test results, Rob must make amends with Chris's weird wife Fran (Ashley Jensen) after she rumbles the pair's secret bromance. Delaney continues to be likable - if a little one-dimensional - but it's Horgan's anxious, very funny mum-to-be who lends the couple's journey towards parenthood most of its laughs, and all of its emotional weight.

Rob Delaney on Channel 4 sitcom Catastrophe

Collaborating not only yields better results - it's a laugh, as Rob Delaney has learnt with his hit show Catastrophe.

Radio Times review

Sharon and Rob's odd life together has at last settled down, with Sharon Horgan's hormonal and pregnant Irishwoman enjoying a dinner date with an annoying ex she still seems to hanker after. We also find US ad guy Rob pursuing clandestine drinks with Chris (Mark Bonnar), the intense husband of Sharon's ghastly friend Fran (Ashley Jensen).

But despite the potential mishaps of their mild deceits, the sweetness and laughs continue unabated, with neither party showing any sign of being anything other than charming, fond, funny and understanding in this ground-breaking and grounded gem.

Sharon Horgan: comic with a keen eye and a sharp tongue

The comic writer has been critically acclaimed in the past for her TV work, but she's only ever flirted with mainstream appeal. Her ribald new romcom, Catastrophe, seems certain to change that.

Featuring the estimable talents of Sharon Horgan (Pulling) and Rob Delaney, Catastrophe looks the real deal: a properly adult comedy about the big things - relationships, childbirth, etc - that also features the gleefully puerile scene of a drunk woman urinating on a wedding ring. If that sounds like your thing, and really there's no reason why it shouldn't, the opening two episodes are available to view on 4oD.

Amazon Prime inks deal to stream Catastrophe in USA

Amazon Studios announced a licensing deal for transatlantic comedy series Catastrophe.

Catastrophe: Could it be the comedy of the year?

A comedy like Catastrophe is a rare thing. It's subtle, dirty, hilarious and - rarest of all - it's already been handed a second series by Channel 4 after only two episodes being broadcast.

Review, Catastrophe, C4, Episode 2

The brilliant news today that Channel 4 has given the green light to a second series of Catastrophe coincided beautifully with me catching up with the second episode of the first series on 4oD. I was so delighted - by both the news and the second episode - I nearly did a little jig around the room.