My cousin Brian recommended this show to me. Available on Netflix UK (if you're in the US, I'm sure you'll be able to watch it with a little ingenuity.)
British humor alludes many Americans. I, however, appreciate it very much. The writing is simple and the comedy bits well worn, but there's something quite endearing about this show which takes place at a fictional "all-inclusive" resort in the seaside town of Benidorm, Spain.
The characters are outlandish and VERY funny! From a swinging older couple to a bragging liar who visits every year with his Mum to a very much in love gay couple who excel at barbed humor to a cheap as hell son in law who relishes verbal sparring matches with his mother in law...the character development draws us in. Like I said in the title, it's campy British humor. It allowed me to escape to Spain and laugh at these very entertaining people for an hour. It's ironic that Brits and Americans share a common language, yet have so little in common when it comes to humor. I think Americans are decidedly more conservative in their acceptance of comedy compared to folks from the UK. A quick example would be the character "Les/Leslie" who plays a transvestite on the comedy. As I was watching him, I kept thinking to myself.. ."Hmmm, this would NOT play well in Texas or Kansas !"
One of the funniest characterizations came from Geoffrey Hutchins, who plays entrepreneur Mel Harvey on the show. He really made the first couple of seasons work. A very funny actor with a rich voice, the comedy he brought in his interactions with the other actors was memorable. I was so sad to read that he had passed away after the 2nd season wrapped up. I was looking forward to seeing much more of him. He did an ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS version of "Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman on the show in the karaoke bar at the fictional resort...NOT TO BE MISSED...he was actually amazing with his falsetto voice!
Watch Benidorm! It's pure British CAMP at its best!
The characters are outlandish and VERY funny! From a swinging older couple to a bragging liar who visits every year with his Mum to a very much in love gay couple who excel at barbed humor to a cheap as hell son in law who relishes verbal sparring matches with his mother in law...the character development draws us in. Like I said in the title, it's campy British humor. It allowed me to escape to Spain and laugh at these very entertaining people for an hour. It's ironic that Brits and Americans share a common language, yet have so little in common when it comes to humor. I think Americans are decidedly more conservative in their acceptance of comedy compared to folks from the UK. A quick example would be the character "Les/Leslie" who plays a transvestite on the comedy. As I was watching him, I kept thinking to myself.. ."Hmmm, this would NOT play well in Texas or Kansas !"
One of the funniest characterizations came from Geoffrey Hutchins, who plays entrepreneur Mel Harvey on the show. He really made the first couple of seasons work. A very funny actor with a rich voice, the comedy he brought in his interactions with the other actors was memorable. I was so sad to read that he had passed away after the 2nd season wrapped up. I was looking forward to seeing much more of him. He did an ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS version of "Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman on the show in the karaoke bar at the fictional resort...NOT TO BE MISSED...he was actually amazing with his falsetto voice!
Watch Benidorm! It's pure British CAMP at its best!