Manchild is a British television comedy/drama series that ran for two series on BBC Two between February 2002 and April 2003 with seven episodes in Series 1 and eight episodes in Series 2. It was created and written by Nick Fisher.[1]
| Manchild | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, drama |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Single |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | February 2002 – April 2003 |
| Manchild | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, drama |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Single |
| Original release | |
| Network | Showtime |
| Release | 2007 – 2007 |
Premise
editThe show starred Ray Burdis (Gary), Nigel Havers (Terry), Anthony Head (James) and Don Warrington (Patrick) as four successful fifty-something men dealing with different problems such as marriage and children or life after divorce, aging parents, sexual dysfunction, lost youth, a succession of (younger) girlfriends, and the problems of how to enjoy the wealth and success they worked so hard to achieve.
Reception
editUpon the series' late 2002 debut on BBC America, The New York Times review stated "Classy and clever as the show is, its sadistic core makes it awfully hard to like", the show is "a dry martini made with toxic acid in place of the vermouth. You may find yourself neither shaken nor stirred", and, in describing one character's self-obsession, "his wife is well rid of this clod. Quickly, you will be, too.".[2]
Releases
editThe first series was released on DVD and VHS in March 2003.[3]
U.S. version
editAn American pilot of the series was produced by Showtime, starring James Purefoy, Kevin Smith, John Corbett and Paul Hipp.[4][5] The pilot made significant changes to the characters and premise as it moved the setting from London to Los Angeles.
References
edit- ^ Nick Fisher, writer
- ^ Wertheimer, Ron (2 August 2002). "Television review; Pity the Middle-Aged Male. Just Watch Him Squirm!". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ "Manchild – Released on DVD and VHS 31 March 2003". BBC. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ Deans, Jason (21 November 2002). "America snaps up BBC's Manchild". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ Smith, Kevin (December 2006). "Kevin Smith is a 'Manchild' ". viewaskew.com.
