Know Your Show: Jeeves and Wooster #AtoZChallenge

This post is part of my #A2ZChallenge for April 2016 where my theme is TV Sitcoms.

For the letter J, I choose the British comedy Jeeves and Wooster.

Premise:

Based on the iconic literary series by author P.G. Wodehouse, the show focuses on the travails of the aristocratic Bertie Wooster who often finds himself on the wrong end of a predicament and requiring assistance from his brilliant valet, Jeeves.

Why you will love it:

1) True fans of comedy will acknowledge the value British comedy adds to the genre. It's dry wit, based on situational comedy and alleviated by excellent script writing. Verbal jousts frequent over visual gags.

2) P.G. Wodehouse remains the gold standard for the British voice of humour for over a century now. The wizardry with words holds good for a laugh even today.

3) This show does an amazing job of capturing the essence of his prose and even the era (1920's). Those who grew up reading Wodehouse will be glad to see the TV versions sticking faithfully to how they imagined it (unlike a certain Guy Ritchie's mangling with the movie version of 'Sherlock Holmes')

4) You have all enjoyed seeing Hugh Laurie as the bullish doc genius in House MD. You know he was perfect for that role. Well, decades ago, he was also perfect for the role of the bumbling rich man Wooster who always gets himself into trouble. He excels with those sarcastic expressions as House. Imagine how good those expressions are when he is given full freedom to be funny.

5) Very few shows can manage to be funny resting solely on the laurels of one actor. You need someone to be the polar opposite to highlight the differences. Stephen Fry as is zen personified as the dignified valet Jeeves, often disapproving of his master's ill thought off schemes and yet bailing him out without batting an eyelid or showing a moment of tension.

6) The combination of manic and furtive vs dignified (and British!) has probably never worked better in a show. 

7) 4 seasons, 23 episodes. Short and sweet.

8) There are many British shows that I would unabashedly recommend to you all. 'Coupling' and 'Mind Your Language' for those seeking humour, the new 'Sherlock' for those seeking brilliance in adapting the classics to the present day and  'Poirot' and 'Sherlock Holmes' for those seeking a faithful version of the books they grew up with. Jeeves and Wooster fits in this final category. Its the kind of show that is constantly busy with characters and keeps you busy and often guessing how Jeeves will win the day this time around.

If aliens were to judge us based solely upon this show:

After conquering Earth, they would make all the British butlers take over as Presidents and rulers of the countries. After all, only the Jeeves of the world can find a solution for every problem there is!

Trivia:

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie were a dynamic duo long before this show started - they were a comedic double act on Friday Night Live (think of it as Britain's version of Saturday Night Live!). They even had their own show on BBC - "A Bit of Fry & Laurie".

To see all the shows  I have talked about till date, please CLICK HERE.