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Before I even started watching Sugartown (BBC1’s latest stab at comedy drama), I was extremely wary of it. All the waning signs were there: the BBC only commissioned 3 episodes, showing that they too were wary of it. They then decided to put it on in the middle of summer, a time when Come Dine with Me becomes a schedule highlight, and a programme is considered a ratings smash if it gets more than 5 viewers. Not only that, they put it in a late-night Sunday death slot, ousted from the primetime schedule by repeats of Inspector George Gently. I began to wonder if it really could be as bad as all that. Well, having now watched it, I can say that the answer, quite unequivocally, is yes.
Sugartown is not only the title of the programme, it is also the name of the failing seaside town, famous for its (also, now failing) sweet factory, where the series is based. The direction that this show is heading is ridiculously obvious. Short of putting up signposts reading ‘Feel-Good Ending – 2½ episodes’, I don’t know what else they could have done. The main reason that it’s so predictable, and unwatchable, is because of the characters.
First we’ve got Shaun Dooley as factory owner Jason Burr: put-upon, ordinary working man and nice guy, with a beautiful girlfriend Emily, who we’re all supposed to think is too good for him because of her looks. (I wonder why no one’s ever thought to do something like that before…) Of course, she has previously been in a relationship with Jason’s brother Max (Tom Ellis), and there is clearly still some tension there (they’re kissing in approximately their second scene together). But will she leave the “dependable” Jason for the obviously better catch of Max? Ooh, the suspense.
Max also ticks off a few boxes. He’s the villain, the one who’s been away from Sugartown for a few years (could you blame him?), only to make a sensational return by bringing in outside elements that the town doesn’t welcome. He also has his sights set on the factory, which he wants to close down and use for his own bunny-girl purposes. BOOOOO!
Elsewhere we’ve got Sue Johnston in a performance that requires as much effort as it does to press the ‘Off’ button on the TV remote. (I was sorely, sorely tempted.) As Margery, she is the matriarch of proceedings, being the only person with a sensible head. But, of course, she must have a deeply hidden secret. Is it possible that she is the mother of the town’s troubled teen? (Is there any other kind?) I could go on but, for my own sake as much as yours, I will restrain myself.
Sugartown is a show that would have seemed dated 20 years ago; a spoon could have demonstrated more originality than was present in this opening episode. And, despite following the comedy drama template to the letter, it didn’t pull off the comedy or the drama. In one scene, Emily was walking down a street, all dolled up, ready to accept Jason’s upcoming, ‘surprise’ proposal, only for a car to drive past, creating a big splash in a puddle which, of course, went all over her dress. In the next scene, I threw myself off a cliff.
Sugartown continues Sunday 10.25pm BBC1.
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