Customer Reviews
Warm wry and subtle, not side-splitting - By: Mr. Stuart Bruce, 03 Aug 2008 
This isn't the sit-com you'd expect it to be when you see Dylan Moran, Mark Heap & Peter Serafinowicz in the cast- don't expect anything like "Black Books" or "Spaced".
This is a very subtle character comedy set in a rural English village. It's very warm & believable but it isn't surreal or laugh-out-loud humour. In that way it reminded me of the 80s "Beiderbeck Affair" series.
Dylan Moran is excellent, with flashes of his "Black Books" character beginning to emerge but with a sincere acting talent.
Warm & touching but don't expect your sides to split.
An Unknown Gem that needs to be watched - By: Mr. D. Palmer, 07 May 2008 
I bought the complete series without having watched it before & im glad i did. I had never heard of this sitcom before but i found it very heartwarming & extremely funny. If you like Dylan Moran then i'd recommend it. However, it is nothing like black books. The humour is still very good, & the storylines are well written. Dylan Moran is good as he always is, & Peter Serafinowicz is brilliant as his brother in law. What's also good is that it doesn't have a lughter track which for pre-office BBC makes it interesting. A hidden gem with so many interesting & funny characters that it has to be watched.
NOT Moran's finest hour - beware! - By: anontonio, 26 Jul 2007 
I bought this because it came recommended for people who like Black Books - which I do.
Black Books it ain't - & then some.
This is just not very funny. It may have been a bit risque at the time, but it feels tired, dated & boring.
stick with it - By: A. Goodall, 23 Jun 2007 I bought this for the cast line up but must admit that after the first episode I wasn't thrilled. However, I stuck with it, mainly because I associate Emma Chambers, Charlotte Coleman & Dylan Moran with innovative, quirky comedy & was sure there was more to it than first meets the eye; I was right! I have now reached the end of the second dvd (series 2) & am feeling a little woeful that there can never be a third because Charlotte Coleman is no longer with us; I would love to find out how things go from here. The episode with the horse riding lesson (Derek & Helen)is one I will revisit time & again whenever I need a chuckle!!
As good as Black Books....? - By: Ms. NNJ Cox, 08 Jun 2007 I think it's biased to base a review around the success & cult popularity of Moran's Black Books, & in this case extremely unfair. 'How Do You Want Me?' isn't a piece of Moran's work like Black Books, it is purely a vehicle, but with alll due respect, he plays a remarkable character within the series'. But it's not only Moran's confused & struggling 'city boy' character that is one of the successes of the programme, but also the fine cast also involved in the programme. Coleman's portrayal of a subtly selfish but loving wife is charming & a fine highlight of her career, as well as Serefinowitcz brutish brother-in-law.
It isn't the next the 'Black Books' before 'Black Books' in Moran's case, but that's because it's a very different type of comedy from that. It is an intelligent comedy however but realistic also, a different plain from the subversive surreal world of Black Books.
It's a shining example of Moran as an actor as well as comedian with an impressive cast to help the stories along. The tragic passing of Coleman only increases the sentimental aspect of the series' & is certainly a lasting tribute to her talent.
One of the most intelligent , forthright & developed comedies I've ever seen. Brilliant!
