Cuckoo

BBC Three's Cuckoo was my pick of the week not long ago, but I never got around to reviewing it. The premise has middle class couple Ken (Greg Davies) and Lorna (Helen Baxendale)-from the Midlands, just to further stress how intermediate they are - discovering their beautiful daughter has married an American hippie calling himself "Cuckoo" (Andy Samberg) while on vacation. From there it runs through the expected culture clash comedy check list: dad hates that his baby girl's married a New Age loser; mum's initially concerned but grows to like her daughter's exotic other half; and Cuckoo is oblivious to the division he's causing in this close-knit suburban family.

The premise doesn't feel like it will last long before exhausting itself, and the first few episodes weren't particularly funny, but there are things Cuckoo has that rescues it from the doldrums: like a fantastic cast and oodles of charm. Samberg (a major star in the US, best known for appearing on Saturday Night Live) lights up the screen whenever he's around, and overcomes the fact Cuckoo's a rather thin caricature of modern-day hippies; while Davies is doing a superb job as the exasperated father desperate to get rid of his son-in-law without breaking his daughter's heart in the process. Davies had a memorable role in The Inbetweeners as the sociopathic teacher Mr Gilbert, but Cuckoo feels like it's truly announcing him to the world of sitcom. He's really good and has a fantastic dynamic with Samberg, which was largely responsible for the brilliant third episode where Ken and Cuckoo finally managed to bond thanks to recreational drugs.

I just wish Cuckoo was a touch funnier without relying so heavily on the performances of Samberg and Davies to raise smiles and pull it through, but I'll keep watching because it's well-made and has undeniable heart.

Cuckoo episode 3 review: Ken On E

The odd-couple bromance at the heart of Cuckoo is shaping up to be one of the most enjoyable comedy double-acts of the year...

Greg Davies interview

"I used my only drug trip to help play wasted dad."

This week, Ken's political dreams are dashed when his son beats up the son of a local Liberal Democrat. To add to his woes, his well-meaning wife has suggested a boys' night in with his hippy son-in-law, who wants to explore Ken's mind calendar. The evening progresses terribly, naturally, until Ken accidentally pops a couple of dodgy painkillers, declares his undying love and is soon boogying the night away dressed like one of Dexys Midnight Runners.

Comedian Greg Davies, who plays Ken, rarely underplays a gag, but tonight his demented capers put one in mind of a male Miranda (albeit
a rather manic Miranda). Far and away the funniest episode so far.

Cuckoo episode 2 review

This‭ ‬second‭ ‬episode‭ ‬of‭ ‬Cuckoo‭ ‬was‭ ‬much‭ ‬funnier‭ ‬than‭ ‬the‭ ‬opener,‭ ‬with‭ ‬some‭ ‬fantastic,‭ ‬laugh-out-loud‭ ‬moments‭.

Cuckoo pats his jacket-potato van lovingly. "If a fast-food van can save the world," he says, eyes alight, "and I think it can, then this is the van to do it." There's little wonder Cuckoo's father-in-law Ken is at the end of his tether.

Larger-than-life comedian Greg Davies plays Ken and gleefully overacts, his face crumpling like a toddler's, mid-tantrum. American actor Andy Samberg is his vacuous foil Cuckoo, oozing sincerity as he spouts utter tosh. Unsurprisingly, the rest of the cast can't compete with these two caricatures and when they're off screen the gags flounder.

Tonight there's a party to celebrate Cuckoo joining the family - but he's the least of Ken's worries.

It has to be said: BBC3's comedies are getting less fist-bitingly awful. This latest effort, which stars Andy Samberg as Cuckoo - a braid-wearing, full moon party casualty who finds himself married to a Midlands girl and living with her parents - is very passable. Its trump cards are the performances of Samberg and the pleasingly deadpan Greg Davies. This week Ken (Davies) is infuriated by the suggestion that he remove the World War II books from his study, so that Cuckoo can use the room for meditation without having his mellow harshed. But Ken's attempts to manipulate a house vote have awkward consequences for Dylan (Outnumbered's Tyger Drew Honey). It's not clear how long the scenario can be sustained and the show seems unhealthily reliant on the slightly incongruous star power of its lead but, for now, it's good fun.

I've tried to like Cuckoo (BBC3), I really have. I like the premise - girl goes gap-year travelling, comes back with floppy-upper-lipped American new-age husband. He's not quite what girl's family had in mind for her.

People I know and whose judgment I trust (did trust) have told me they think it's funny. But the girl (Tamla Kari) is so dippy that it's hard to feel anything for her except annoyance. The comedy is mainly based around the generational/ideological gap and tension between husband (Andy Samberg) and dad (Greg Davies); but it's overdone, forced, not recognisable or real. Nor is it surreal, or bold. It's just a little bit silly really.

Cuckoo Episode 1 review

I hope Cuckoo grows on me because there is something there - without a doubt. At the moment, though, I'm feeling a little disheartened by the show.

Cuckoo episode 1 review

The script's a little underpowered at the moment, but if the series delivers on the opening episode's promise, Andy Samberg's first foray across the Atlantic could well be one of 2012's highlights.