ITV has demonstrated strong faith in one of its new sitcom formats today by ordering a Christmas special before the series has begun airing.
A six episode series of Vicious has just completed filming and is due to begin on ITV at the end of the month. The sitcom is part of a drive by the commercial broadcaster to commission a raft of its own original comedy series.
The network today confirmed that it has ordered an additional episode of the comedy, written by Gary Janetti, an American whose previous credits include Will & Grace and Family Guy, for broadcast in its Christmas schedules - possibly in a prestigious Christmas Day slot.
Due to the high profile nature of Christmas specials, they are normally only granted to sitcom formats that have already built up strong and loyal followings, suggesting that ITV expects the series to be a big hit.
The show - which stars highly respected actors Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen as an elderly gay couple living in Covent Garden - is a studio audience sitcom, written by Janetti based on a concept by playright Mark Ravenhill.
It tells the story of ageing partners Freddie and Stuart, who have lived together in a small Covent Garden flat for nearly 50 years. Freddie was a budding actor and Stuart a barman when they first met but their careers are now pretty much over and their lives now consist of reading books, walking their dog and bickering.
The programme was originally titled Vicious Old Queens, but McKellen has said he asked for the title to be changed. The 73 year-old jokingly commented "What on Earth do you mean? I'm most offended - I'm not old!"
Vicious also stars Frances de la Tour as the duo's feisty best friend Violet, and Misfits star Iwan Rheon as Ash, the young man who moves in upstairs.
Feedback from the recordings at ITV's London Studios has been overwhelmingly positive, reporting "loud, raucous laughter". One audience member posted the following in the British Comedy Guide's forums: "Whip smart writing and killer performances from the whole cast, particularly McKellen and Frances De La Tour. The crowd went absolutely mental for it."
Speaking to BroadcastNow at international TV sales conference MipTV, producer Gary Reich said that ITV's decision to broadcast the show during its prime-time schedule indicates that the network is confident in the series.
"They've got faith it will play into that ITV heart - it is about heart - and they love the fact that there is a bit of mischief in there. It's not anodyne, whitewashed or trying to flatten things out for the family. It's got more things you can grab hold of."
Writer Gary Janetti told reporter Lisa Campbell: "I'd rather people really loved or really hated it than felt mildly about anything. It doesn't feel so much a thing you would really hate. To me, it feels very mainstream and very inclusive."
The schedule date for Vicious will be announced soon. The British Comedy Guide will be publishing a full guide to the show, including cast interviews, on Tuesday 23rd April.
Vicious isn't the only new sitcom ITV is launching this year. Ancient Rome-based comedy Plebs is currently broadcasting on ITV2, and The Job Lot - a sitcom set in a job centre which features a cast including Russell Tovey and Sarah Hadland - is also due to start within the next month. Further new comedy commissions are expected to be announced soon.
It’s official: Gay British comedy Vicious – which stars acting legends Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi – will make its American debut this summer on PBS stations nationwide beginning June 29.
Vicious follows the story of elderly gay couple Freddie (McKellen) and Stuart (Jacobi) who have been living together in the same Covent Garden flat for nearly 50 years. An incredibly co-dependent duo, their primary activities seem to be centered around bickering with one another, making sarcastic comments and walking the dog, but there is, nevertheless a deep love between them. However, the couple finds their lives turned upside down by the arrival of their new young upstairs neighbor, played by Game of Thrones’ Iwan Rheon in a much, much less creepy role then you’re generally accustomed to seeing him on Sunday nights these days.
The show, which was originally known as Vicious Old Queens before it got a name change that I still wish hadn’t happened, marks an interesting foray into comedy for PBS primetime these days, and is a trend that we can only hope continues. (There are dozens of popular Britcoms that could use a path to American audiences, so let’s cross our fingers, shall we?)
The comedy has already been renewed for a second season by ITV, though when that might go into production is anyone’s guess, given the rather busy schedules of its stars. McKellen in particular has had a packed calendar of late: performing on Broadway opposite his BFF Sir Patrick Stewart, promoting the upcoming X-Men prequel/sequel Days of Future Past, and gearing up to play Sherlock Holmes for director Bill Condon. But, hope springs eternal, right?
Vicious will air from 10:30pm to 11:00pm on Sundays, and will run from June 29-August 3. As always double check the listings for your local PBS station, particularly around the show’s June premiere, as many stations may be just wrapping up a pledge period at that point and things could shift around. (It's unlikely that late in the month, but it could happen, so better to be safe than sorry!)
Viewers will actually end up with a double-dose of Derek Jacobi this summer, the second series of the iconic actor’s drama series Last Tango in Halifax will also bow on June 29, and will air through the bulk of the summer in the 8pm timeslot. Masterpiece Mystery series Endeavour, a prequel to the beloved Inspector Morse series, will air its second season at 9pm. So, you’ll end up with a trio of pretty great British shows to wrap up your weekend.
The highly anticipated second season of Vicious, the ITV sitcom which stars acting legends Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi as a bickering, co-dependent gay couple, is almost upon us. It seems like we’ve been waiting for this forever, which in some ways, we have, since Series 2 was commissioned in September 2013 and the first season originally aired here in the US last summer. So, yeah, bring on new episodes! We are sooo ready for them.
The second season will once again be comprised of six half-hour episodes. McKellen and Jacobi are both returning (obviously) as the titular “vicious” couple, along with regular cast members Frances de la Tour (as Stuart and Freddie’s BFF Violet) and Iwan Rheon (as Ash, their younger upstairs neighbor).
Per the official press release, Season 2 will see Stuart and Freddie attempting to deal with many changes in the lives of their friends. Violet has married a mystery man who now seems to have gone AWOL. Ash is all loved up with new girlfriend Jess (played by guest star Georgia King). And ditzy Penelope and no nonsense Mason continue to be baffled by everyone around them. Throughout the new series we’ll see our family of friends try ballroom dancing, discover what the inside of a gym looks like and try sushi for the very first time.
Plus, we’re apparently also going to meet Violet’s sister this season, and she’ll be played by the always amazing Celia Imrie.
“Not many comedies can claim to have two knights and a three-time Olivier Award winner amongst its stellar cast,” said Elaine Bedell, ITV’s Director of Entertainment and Comedy. “We’re delighted to have Vicious back on ITV for its second series”.
I actually ended up really enjoying the first season of Vicious. To be fair, it’s not perfect by any means, and there are certainly some problematic elements, but overall, it’s fun, and the comedic chemistry between Jacobi and McKellen is pretty great. (I also just love Violet. Love love love.) Hopefully, the new season will have successfully ironed out some of the issues from the show’s first outing. Fingers crossed.
Season 2 of Vicious is set to premiere on Monday, June 1 in the UK, and will be returning to America on PBS stations later this summer (late August, but make sure you check in with your local station to confirm the exact date).
Sir Ian was on the Graham Norton Radio Show in the UK yesterday talking about the new series, as well as his films and being friends with Pet Shop Boys. He said they were also hopeful of making a third series.
I'd heard of this series some time ago, but put off watching it because it sounded, well, rather dreadful. However, thanks to the clips of the cast performing that have been included in this thread, it looks indeed to be 'my cup of tea'; (sorry TallGuy). Leaving 'Political Correctness' at the door to enjoy these two outstanding actors and the supporting cast looks for fun viewing. Hey, I've known a few men like these two in my lifetime - they exist. And I think most viewers will know that not all gay men are like this, it's just these two men.And the fact that it was filmed before a live studio audience is a bonus - it's not 'canned laughter', which I truly dislike. I've put it in my Netflix queue.
I'd heard of this series some time ago, but put off watching it because it sounded, well, rather dreadful. However, thanks to the clips of the cast performing that have been included in this thread, it looks indeed to be 'my cup of tea'; (sorry TallGuy). Leaving 'Political Correctness' at the door to enjoy these two outstanding actors and the supporting cast looks for fun viewing. Hey, I've known a few men like these two in my lifetime - they exist. And I think most viewers will know that not all gay men are like this, it's just these two men.And the fact that it was filmed before a live studio audience is a bonus - it's not 'canned laughter', which I truly dislike. I've put it in my Netflix queue.
Hey, glad you like it, Dave! While you're at it, look up "Are You Being Served"
I guess I was hoping for more. And that could have more to do with my own perception and expectations than with the show itself. Maybe it needs to be more "vicious", because that's a great title and Jacoby & McKellan are legends--so it does set up the expectation somewhat.
I feel like it's almost a 70's parody of what a gay-themed comedy should be like. But maybe that's the point. Perhaps if the writing and the jokes weren't so broad, then its potential for political "incorrectness" couldn't be shown on TV at all--even with today's relative permissiveness.
I don't know... does political correctness or incorrectness even exist anymore? I'm sort of out of the loop now when it comes to TV.
Well, when The Missus comes home from hols we're gonna fire up the Netflix for a proper watch.
Slightly off topic, but David Warner, that other UK thespian well known to the US appeared in a great series called 'Inside Number Nine' recently.
This series is from Shearsmith and Pemberton, the people who gave you 'League of Gentlemen' and it's a series of dark comedies that have no other link, even stylistically, than that they all involve the number nine. I dunno if it has hit the US yet.
Warner's episode involves a 'Witchfinder General' story set in the 17th C..
Other episodes can be found on YouTube, not this one.
Slightly off topic, but David Warner, that other UK thespian well known to the US appeared in a great series called 'Inside Number Nine' recently.
This series is from Shearsmith and Pemberton, the people who gave you 'League of Gentlemen' and it's a series of dark comedies that have no other link, even stylistically, than that they all involve the number nine. I dunno if it has hit the US yet.
Warner's episode involves a 'Witchfinder General' story set in the 17th C..
Other episodes can be found on YouTube, not this one.
I saw that and thought it was a really decent episode. there was also another that was almost a domestic drama about a birthday and a family coming together for it. Quality writing. if not gut-bustingly funny they do know how to write great characters and i really enjoyed it.
Psychoville was amazing. i'd love to see a third series of that. It had a great balance of humour, horror, and film thrillers.
I saw that and thought it was a really decent episode. there was also another that was almost a domestic drama about a birthday and a family coming together for it. Quality writing. if not gut-bustingly funny they do know how to write great characters and i really enjoyed it.
Psychoville was amazing. i'd love to see a third series of that. It had a great balance of humour, horror, and film thrillers.
Yes, the Torygraph still extols the old 'school report: could do better' style of insightless critique. They feel there's something less funny about this one, but they don't exactly spell out by what criteria. It's very funny.
Other episodes involved a hapless pair of catburglars who try to steal a painting from a rich guy's house, only to find he's murdering his wife ... that one was without dialogue ... and a hilarious episode filmed using surveillance cameras in a Samaritans-style emergency phone-in centre.
Yes, the Torygraph still extols the old 'school report: could do better' style of insightless critique. They feel there's something less funny about this one, but they don't exactly spell out by what criteria. It's very funny.
Other episodes involved a hapless pair of catburglars who try to steal a painting from a rich guy's house, only to find he's murdering his wife ... that one was without dialogue ... and a hilarious episode filmed using surveillance cameras in a Samaritans-style emergency phone-in centre.
They're very inventive and i look forward to watching the others. Even if I was being critical and an episode wasn't as good as some of the others, i can at least appreciate their skill and what they were trying to do. I always look forward to what any of the LoG come up with next.
I remember at the time hating Season 3 of LoG, but watched it a few years ago and thought it was really great and included some of their best stuff. I think it was just the format change within the epsiodes that threw me for a loop.
