The Inbetweeners

Interview with co-writer Iain Morris

"Both Damon and I try to draw the characters from real life, I identify with Will."

Could it be that one of the gang is going to achieve the improbable, and have sex with a girl? The answer appears to be yes when Tara suggests to Simon that they visit her sister at Warwick University to consummate their weeks-old relationship. What she envisioned probably didn't involve a trip with three of Simon's mates, who are along to offer moral support and advice - apart from Will, who just felt left out and lonely. Naturally, the course of true love (and sex) does not run true and there are the obligatory gags involving male genitalia, bodily secretions and Will acting his most blimpish when confronted by the reality of student life.

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. The potential for disaster is huge tonight, as Simon and girlfriend Tara are off to visit her sister at University, so obviously Will, Jay and Neil invite themselves along for the ride. Not that Simon's too keen, because he reckons he's in for some bedroom gymnastics... Hilarious, bawdy comedy.

Another week, another attempted rite of passage. This week Tara entices Simon to Warwick University, where her elder sister has offered them a place to "do it" on campus. Along for the ride are Will, sneeringly scouting out his "last choice"; Neil, because it wouldn't be The Inbetweeners without Neil; and Jay, on hand as a seasoned sexpert, in case Simon wimps out.

The Bafta award-winning tale of four spotty, sex-starved, sixth formers picked up another gong last week - the coveted Rose D'Or for Best Sitcom at the international telly awards in Switzerland. This episode alone will tell you why.

Simon is finally set to pop his cherry and his eager new girlfriend Tara wants to whisk him away to her sister's flat for the weekend. The flat promises to be a parent-free zone. Sadly for Tara, she can't escape Simon's friends so easily. Will, Jay and Neil all wangle themselves in on the trip. Jay as self-appointed sexpert, excelling himself with lewd tips to bolster Simon's failing nerves, Will to check out his least favourite choice of uni, and Neil because he'll do anything anyone tells him to. As for Simon, with friends like these it's bound to be a disaster.

The gags are sharp, the writing tight as the boys lurch from one agonising humiliation to another.

The Inbetweeners: series three, episode four

Just as with Simon's attempts to lose his virginity, this grossout sitcom tries just a bit too hard. Plenty to enjoy, though - did you know you needed a flannel?

Inbetweeners Review: Do You Remember The First Time

The writers have successfully created a group of lads that are utterly believable, and even more hilarious because of it.

Inbetweeners series 3 episode 4 review

After the slight nastiness last week, The Inbetweeners comes back with a belter.

MTV buys Inbetweeners

The Inbetweeners will get a new lease of life when it is remade for the US audience, with an all-new cast.

It was, of course, excruciating, crude and uproariously funny - everything we've come to love from a brilliantly observed British comedy that will be bowing out on a high in three weeks' time. Free of his ridiculous obsession with Carli (Emily Head), Simon's overcome his unfortunate Statue of Liberty haircut and acquired actual human girlfriend Tara (Hannah Tointon); keeping her will be the real challenge.

Helpfully, the ever-loyal Will (Simon Bird) is willing to spend time with Tara's BBF - boring best friend) - if there's the prospect of some - hell, any action at the end of the day.

As The Inbetweeners has confirmed repeatedly and hilariously, the course of both true love and adolescent fumbling never runs smoothly.

Whether it was Will fainting during a gory horror film, Simon appalling Tara's parents after meeting them for the first time or Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake Harrison) encountering a teacher out of his natural habitat, E4's hit series finely captures the continual embarrassment of teenage life.

Not that this third episode ever neared serious territory as The Inbetweeners thankfully avoids the death and depression plots of Skins in favour of a top-notch sight gag involving a motorbike, a new running joke to rival the "Friend!" quip of the first series and revelling in the genuine chemistry between our four loveable leads.