Out for the Count

'Count Arthur Strong' (BBC2) is one of the funnier comedies this Summer. Co-written by Fr Ted author Graham Linehan, its an adaptation from that bastion of quality, BBC Radio 4 (where it was originally authored by Steve Delaney, who plays the epponymous 'Count'). As laugh out loud family comedies go, this is really up there (yes, this may not be a category festooned with original offerings but give this show a chance and you will have a laugh). The 'Count' is a retired 1970s TV half of a double act who forgets things. Not only does he forget things, he...eh..uhm...where was I? Ah yes...Arthur Strong...the setting has moved from Doncaster to London...and Roy, sorry, RORY Kinnear is the amiable Sancho Panza. This week's episode, where Arthur tries to learn the Internet and ends up as a 'troll' within ten minutes had this reviewer really enjoying the craft on display from the actors and writers. This is gentle, affectionate, yet clever character-based comedy - just been commissioned for a second series - is full of, er, uhm, great, eh, diversions and whimsy - an Ice Cream Van that doesn't sell Ice Cream but is to hook peple into Jack the Ripper Tours, who Arthur thinks did all the killings in Balham. There's an art to adaptations and this one has 'thetvreviewguy' rushing back to listen to as many of the radio shows as he can. This is a silly programme, sometimes extremely silly, and all the better for it. Arthur is a brilliant comedic creation and this show is well worth a look.