Lovesick

Viewers bemusedly react to porny sounding series

Yesterday, Netflix emailed a whole bunch of people with what some might think an hysterically funny (others, not so much) suggestion for their viewing pleasure -- a little show called Scrotal Recall.

Netflix suggested a show called Scrotal Recall

If you're signed up for Netflix, then you know the service frequently sends out emails updating users with new programming available for streaming. Sometimes, it even makes suggestions for shows it thinks you might enjoy. Well, that PR scheme kind of backfired today when subscribers found a suggestion for a show called -- wait for it -- Scrotal Recall sitting in their inbox. With a name like that, naturally it's a British series -- gotta love the Brits and their cheeky zero-damns-given humor. (It's also the title of a Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode.) No surprise, the reactions to the email were priceless.

PSA: Netflix has a show about diseased dicks

This week, Netflix has apparently quietly launched the Classic Balls Puns Based on the Collected Works of Arnold Schwarzenegger segment of its Original Programming*. This is my way of telling you that you can now watch a show called Scrotal Recall.

Say hello to 'Scrotal Recall'

From creator Tom Edge comes a witty British comedy about lust, love, deceit, and yes, sex. Lots of sex.

Initially dismissed by some as a "title first, show second" gimmick, Scrotal Recall succeeded by turning its high-concept premise into a platform for narrative trickery. The flashbacks detailing the sexual conquests of chlamydia sufferer Dylan (Johnny Flynn) slowly formed a jigsaw puzzle resembling, ever so slightly, the out-of-order fourth season of Arrested Development. Of course, for those just wanting to watch a warm-spirited comedy, Scrotal Recall managed that well too, proving more likable than its laddish premise suggested.

This unlikely romcom starring folk singer Johnny Flynn as a mild-mannered STI sufferer draws to a close. As usual, Luke (Daniel Ings) is the one compelling Dylan (Flynn) into action, as the two search for the latter's ex, Phoebe, to tell her she might have chlamydia. There's a shock discovery for the lads and more flashback fodder, before present-day Luke forces Dylan to make a decision about Evie (Antonia Thomas). Will he confess his feelings to her?

In episode two of Scrotal Recall, Dylan moves down his alphabetical list of past shags, all of whom he must contact to tell them he's got chlamydia (Channel 4 has billed it as "an infectious comedy"). This week it was Anna, although he hadn't yet managed to get in touch with Abigail from last week. The flashback to his encounter with Anna - for this is how the format works - involved a doomed dinner party during a blackout and was, frankly, not quite as funny as last week's car crash of a wedding weekend. But the show has a lot of heart - it's touching at times, and not afraid to bring you down - and it's cleverly put together. Flynn has a likable, slightly detached quality, and there were several good laughs, not least in the appearance of an old VHS porn tape titled Brideshead Re-fisted.

From that screamer of a title down, Scrotal Recall seemed contrived as hell, what with its twentysomething flatmates set-up, hipster favourites London Grammar on the soundtrack, and a supporting Jack Whitehall-alike (Daniel Ings). Yet, two episodes in, this is shaping up to be one of the warmest, smartest and funniest Channel 4 comedies in years, pegged to a daring STD-based framing device. Tonight, luckless lothario Dylan (Johnny Flynn) invites older love interest Anna back for dinner. What could possibly go right?

Radio Times review

The adventures of Dylan Witter (folk singer and actor Johnny Flynn) continue with tonight's flashback to an eventful double date with best mate Luke (Daniel Ings) and a very, very funny climax (if you'll forgive the term) when he has to reveal his, er, condition to his conquest. It's a neat premise allowing for imaginative time leaps, though the title does not quite convey the tenderness (as well as the comic brio) of the material.

The unrequited love subplot between Dylan and best female friend Evie (Antonia Thomas), however, does needs to take a more original direction.

Q&A: Tom Edge, creator of Scrotal Recall

I recently did a Q&A with writer Tom Edge (Pramface, The Midnight Beast) about his new Channel 4 comedy Scrotal Recall, which concerns a young romantic with Chlamydia who tracks down his exes to inform them they could be infected. You can read the results below...