Mongrels

Mongrels: Ask Vince and Nelson a question...

We've managed to persuade urban fox Nelson to put down his Guardian newspaper long enough to answer some of your questions about life in the wilds of East London.

One Minute Mills and Mongrels

Mongrels has already been host to some surprising guests stars - from Biggins to Toby Anstis - so the news that Scott Mills will soon be popping up in an episode might not seem too unfathomable. But Scott has a further surprise for you!

The smart adult puppet show gets even more post-modern when Beeb stablemate Springwatch starts filming on the Isle of Dogs and urban fox Nelson is shocked to discover that all the animals are, in fact, actors. There are even knowing cameos from Terry Nutkins and Chris Packham. Meanwhile, "It-bitch" Destiny tries guide-dogging and Kali the pigeon admits that she used to nest in Amy Winehouse's hair.

Mongrels: The Tricky Eight Minutes

Writer Jon Brown talks about the challenges of working on the unique show that is Mongrels.

TV Review: Mongrels

If you're of a certain age - say, between four and forty - it's likely that your moral compass was calibrated by a bunch of hairy freaks, elbow deep in the hindquarters of some hairier freaks.

Mongrels episode 2 review

BBC3's adult puppet comedy Mongrels returns for a second episode of occasionally wince-inducing humour...

Slightly dubious new puppet-based sitcom created by Adam Miller. In this second episode, Destiny finds a novel way of finding her perfect man, while Nelson looks after a runt. There's also Kali, the pigeon, whose contempt for religion leads to him plotting the death of old friend and born-again Christian, Dean. Imagine a foul-mouthed Muppet Show set in Croydon and you're somewhere near the territory of Mongrels.

OK, maybe the timing couldn't have been much worse for a series featuring a friendly urban fox called Nelson but episode two of Mongrels confirms these furry animal puppets are the funniest and most interesting EastEnders on TV right now.

True, there are seriously bad taste moments involving Vince, the foul-mouthed fox voiced by Paul Kaye, devouring his own offspring, but you're still left laughing despite your misgivings. This week, Nelson adopts his only surviving nephew Kieran and discovers that being the runt of the litter can be tough.

Other stand-out moments include Kali (Katy Brand's streetwise pigeon) challenging the existence of God in a wildly inventive musical number. And from Destiny the Afghan, we discover the disgusting ins and outs of romance doggy-style which also results in what must be an all-time career low for Hollyoaks bitch Gemma Bissix.

Mongrels is barking - in the best possible way.

Mongrels, BBC Three, Tuesdays

Mark Smith puts down the new puppet comedy.

How to have a TV show broadcast and avoid counselling

You're told by everyone in the business from the outset not to read reviews, but realistically, unless you plan a trip to the Gobi Desert over the broadcast, then curiosity will get the better of you. And my God are there a lot of reviews and websites you can beat yourself up with.