User Reviews

A narcissistic beautician finds out her husband has cancer and makes some adjustments to her life.

This is a solid first episode that introduces an extreme caricature of a personality disorder and sets up for what appears to be her wreaking havoc upon the lives of everyone around.

I remember watching 'Nighty Night' when it was first broadcast and the humour seemed brutal at the time. After two decades of comics like Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr there are no really sacred taboos anymore. The comedy in this episode is a mixture of outrageous behaviour, dark subject matter and cringe moments that need to appeal to your humour for it to work.

Personally I find the material to be well timed and unpredictable, whilst the performances are simultaneously funny and disturbing. Julia Davis gives an outstanding introduction to the character.

Julia Davis does misanthropic cruel black comedy very well. Your mileage might vary as to how funny you find it.

Jill (Julia Davis) has no redeeming qualities. She is a very selfish person. The first episode begins with her husband Terry being diagnosed of cancer. Jill goes immediately to a dating agency.

This is a self absorbed character who works in beauty salon and her cruelty rolls on at work as well. By the end of the episode Jill tells people that her husband has died in order to get sympathy.

In the meantime she has eyes on her new neighbour. Don is a doctor and his very nice wife Cathy has Multiple Sclerosis.

It is left to other characters to bring on the laughs. Don ogling the vicar's wife's bosoms. Glenn Bulb the nerd who goes out on a date with Jill and leers at her behind. Then there is Mrs Horner who is distraught when Jill leaves the skin on her face dyed.

This tactless comedy of a self absorbed person might not suit everyone and I was not sure if I wanted to see any more of this.