Josh (TV series)
| Josh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Josh Widdicombe |
| Written by |
Josh Widdicombe Tom Craine |
| Directed by | David Schneider |
| Starring |
Josh Widdicombe Elis James Beattie Edmondson Jack Dee |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Stephen McCrumb |
| Producer(s) | Simon Mayhew-Archer |
| Location(s) | London |
| Running time | 25-28 minutes |
| Production company(s) | BBC |
| Distributor | BBC Worldwide |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Three / BBC One |
| Picture format | 16:9 1080i |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital |
| Original release |
29 August 2014 (pilot) 11 November 2015 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Josh is a British sitcom created by and starring Josh Widdicombe. A pilot episode aired in 2014 as part of the BBC "Comedy Feeds", and a full six-episode series aired from 11 November to 16 December 2015 on BBC Three.[1] A second series of Josh was released from 22 September 2016 on Three's now online-only channel.[2] The day of the final episode of series two on BBC One was released the BBC announced it had commissioned a third series[3]
Characters
- Josh Widdicombe as Josh
- Elis James as Owen
- Beattie Edmondson as Kate
- Jack Dee as Geoff
- Jennifer Saunders as Judith, Kate's mother (also Edmondson's real-life mother) [4]
Critical reception
In their review of Josh, The Independent commented that there was "nothing original or remarkable about the set-up - or much of the script - but there's promising chemistry between its stars." They said that the main actors were far too old to be convincing 20-something university pals. However, they singled out Edmondson as "very watchable", saying her "comic timing stuck out".[5]
The Arts Desk was scathing about the series, saying "It's horribly bland and it's difficult to see how Josh can avoid suffering the ignominy of lasting only one series".[4]
The Guardian thought there was "a nice chemistry" between the three main characters and the series was funny "in a nice, cosy, safe, familial, familiar kind of way".[6]
Chortle said "the comedy, which returns to BBC Three tomorrow despite a tepid critical response last year, is technically competent and adheres to all the rules of the genre: the scenes are tight and each line works towards a gag. But it’s also bland, lacking a strong personality or deeper purpose other than to deliver contrived lines. Nothing much has changed since the first series".
Episodes
Pilot
| No. | Episode title | Director | Writers | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | "Pilot" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 29 August 2014[7] |
| Dumped by his fiancee, Josh has to return to his old flatshare with Owen and Kate. Looking for sympathy from his flatmates who have other plans, he spends his time with irritating landlord Geoff. | ||||
Series 1 (2015)
| No. | Episode title | Director | Writers | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Swimming and Kissing" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 11 November 2015 |
|
Josh has to go to a pool party with Owen when he's allergic to chlorine. Owen also helps Kate work on her kissing technique.[4] Closing Song: ? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears | ||||
| 2 | "Mum and Dad" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 18 November 2015 |
|
Josh has a date with a girl whose dad doesn't like him, while Kate's mother comes to visit their flat where she strikes up a relationship with Owen. Closing Song: Kool and the Gang - Jungle Boogie | ||||
| 3 | "Wedding and Waiting" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 25 November 2015 |
|
Josh and Owen go to Owen's uncle's wedding, while Kate is waiting for her new phone with no electricity in the flat. Closing Song: Macy Gray - I Try | ||||
| 4 | "Teabag and No Sympathy" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 2 December 2015 |
|
Josh has no sympathy for his mate's wife when he says mean things about her, and Owen's friend Teabag comes to visit. Closing Song: The Smiths - This Charming Man | ||||
| 5 | "Homme and Away" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 9 December 2015 |
|
Josh, Owen and Kate are forced by Geoff to spend a few days at Clacton-on-Sea where Josh tries to avoid being in a Chuckle Brothers' show and Kate fends off the advances from Geoff's nephew. Closing Song: Frank Sinatra - Beyond The Sea | ||||
| 6 | "Suited and Booted" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 16 December 2015 |
|
It's Josh's birthday, so Kate and Owen decide to organise him a fancy dress party. Josh isn't keen, but relents in the hope that it might give him a chance with Lucy, who lives upstairs. Closing Song: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Over and Over Again (Lost & Found) | ||||
Series 2 (2016)
| No. | Episode title | Director | Writers | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bed & Breakfast" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 22 September 2016 |
|
Josh and Owen go on a double date after Josh is dumped by his girlfriend, only for the two women to be voracious cougars. Kate breaks Geoff's heart after an email mix-up. Closing Song: Steve Winwood - Valerie | ||||
| 2 | "Share and Share Alike" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 29 September 2016 |
|
Josh, Owen and Kate head to the curry house and meet some old acquaintances, and as the night progresses, they discover some secrets are best left that way. Closing Song: Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life | ||||
| 3 | "Cut & Dried" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 6 October 2016 |
|
Plymouth Argyle reach the final of the Football League Trophy Area Southern Section and Josh wants to watch the game, but Owen's cousin is hogging the television with his N64. Closing Song: All Saints - I Know Where It's At | ||||
| 4 | "Sex and Politics" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 13 October 2016 |
|
Josh is asked out on a date by a beautiful woman after an unsuccessful gig, leaving the three trying to find the catch. Geoff has money problems and introduces Kate to building management. Closing Song: Liberty X - Just A Little | ||||
| 5 | "Planks & Pranks" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 20 October 2016 |
| Josh's biannual drink with Britain's most boring friend Pete leads to a longer term commitment. Kate's friend Sophie comes to stay and reveals herself to be a prankster. | ||||
| 6 | "Close Up & Long Shot" | David Schneider | Tom Craine and Josh Widdicombe | 27 October 2016 |
|
At a university reunion, Josh bumps into therapist Abby who believes he is infatuated with her. Kate meets an old lecturer who offers to help with her ailing photography career. Closing Song: Dario G - Sunchyme | ||||
DVD Releases
A DVD set containing the episodes of the first series was released on 5 September 2016.[8] A second series DVD set was made available on 31 October 2016.[9]
References
- ↑ "Josh". BBC Three. BBC. December 2015.
- ↑ "Josh". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/josh-series-three. Retrieved 4 November 2016. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - 1 2 3 Leel, Veronica (12 November 2015). "Josh, BBC Three". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ↑ Newall, Sally (11 November 2015). "Josh, TV review: Beattie Edmondson's comic timing stuck out". The Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ↑ Wollaston, Sam (19 November 2015). "Toast of London review: not as well done as it was, but Toast is still delicious". theguardian.com. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- ↑ "BBC Three orders a full series of Josh". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ↑ "Josh - Series 1 DVD". Amazon. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ↑ "Josh - Series 2 DVD". Amazon. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
External links
- Pilot Episode (2014) at BBC Comedy Feeds
- Josh at BBC Programmes
- Josh at British Comedy Guide
- Josh at the Internet Movie Database