Him & Her (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Him & Her is a British television sitcom about a lazy twentysomething couple. It was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Three
on 6 September 2010. It is written by Stefan Golaszewski
and stars Russell Tovey
and Sarah Solemani
. The theme tune is the song "Boom Bang-a-Bang
" by Lulu
.
The first episode premiered on 6 September 2010 on BBC Three
. The first series consisted of six episodes.
It was recommissioned for a second series which started on 1 November 2011.
Series 2
In The Metro Keith Watson summed it up as "sleazy fun [but] not without a certain soiled charm"., while in The Independent
Brian Viner compared the set-up to that of the popular British sitcom The Royle Family
, describing Him and Her as "beautifully acted... wonderfully written... and intermittently very funny indeed". In one of the more negative reviews, David Crawford of The Radio Times
was a little more reserved in his praise of the show; although he admitted that "the chemistry between the two leads... [gives the] filthy comedy a warm-hearted edge" he also expressed distaste for the "lewd and crude" humour frequently on display.
In respect to the perceived high-quality writing, The Guardian
labelled the series "a witty, touching show" that "has the feel of a series of short plays", while in The Radio Times Claire Webb noted how as the series progressed she found it to be "more Beckett play than the [usual] zany fare you might expect from a BBC3 sitcom.
On reviewing the final episode, Aidan Smith of The Scotsman
summarised the show as "a jam and fluff-covered gem featuring charming performances from Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani as Steve and Becky".
The second series is due for release on 26 December 2011.
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
on 6 September 2010. It is written by Stefan Golaszewski
Stefan Golaszewski
Stefan Golaszewski is an English writer, performer, director and pop singer. He is part of comedy sketch group Cowards.-Career:Golaszewski was the Cambridge Footlights President from 2002-3....
and stars Russell Tovey
Russell Tovey
Russell George Tovey is an English actor with numerous television, film and stage credits. Tovey is best known for playing the role of werewolf George Sands in the BBC's supernatural drama Being Human which started in 2008...
and Sarah Solemani
Sarah Solemani
Sarah Solemani , is an English actress and writer, best known for starring in BBC Three's series Him and Her.Solemani was a member of the National Youth Theatre, starring as Elaine in the West End theatre production of The Graduate. After passing her A levels, she took a gap year before studying...
. The theme tune is the song "Boom Bang-a-Bang
Boom Bang-a-Bang
"Boom Bang-a-Bang" was the United Kingdom entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1969It was sung by Lulu, and was co-written by Alan Moorhouse and Peter Warne aka Michael Julien, the latter of who also wrote "Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" for Shirley Bassey....
" by Lulu
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
.
The first episode premiered on 6 September 2010 on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
. The first series consisted of six episodes.
It was recommissioned for a second series which started on 1 November 2011.
Episode list
Series 1| S# | E# | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Series 2
| S# | E# | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cast
- Becky – Sarah SolemaniSarah SolemaniSarah Solemani , is an English actress and writer, best known for starring in BBC Three's series Him and Her.Solemani was a member of the National Youth Theatre, starring as Elaine in the West End theatre production of The Graduate. After passing her A levels, she took a gap year before studying...
- Steve – Russell ToveyRussell ToveyRussell George Tovey is an English actor with numerous television, film and stage credits. Tovey is best known for playing the role of werewolf George Sands in the BBC's supernatural drama Being Human which started in 2008...
- Laura – Kerry Howard
- Dan – Joe Wilkinson
- Paul – Ricky Champ
- Shelly - Camille CoduriCamille CoduriCamille Coduri is an English actress. She is best known for her role in Doctor Who as Jackie Tyler.-Career:She featured in the film comedies Nuns on the Run and King Ralph...
- Mike, Janet's partner - Ian Burfield
- Janet, Steve's mother - Joanna Bacon
- Barney - Blake HarrisonBlake HarrisonBlake Harrison is an English actor who is most well known for playing Neil Sutherland in the E4 comedy The Inbetweeners....
- Gay Allen, Barney's girlfiend - Nathasha Stokes
- Jill, Becky's mother - Marion BaileyMarion BaileyMarion Bailey is a British actress. Born in Bushey, Hertfordshire to parents William Henry and Rose Bailey. She is probably best known for her appearances in the Mike Leigh films Meantime, All or Nothing and Vera Drake, as well as Leigh's 1981 West End theatre play Goosepimples, for which she...
- Nigel, Becky's father - Ralph BrownRalph BrownRalph William John Brown is an English actor and writer, known for playing Danny the drug dealer in Withnail and I, the security guard Aaron in Alien 3, DJ Bob Silver in The Boat That Rocked, and the pilot Ric Olié in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace...
- Jamie - Martin DelaneyMartin Delaney (actor)Martin Delaney is a British actor.-Career:He started work in musical theatre, appearing in Peter Pan - The British Musical and Oliver! Following performances in the West End, Delaney swiftly moved into television with the Nickelodeon series, the Renford Rejects...
Critical Reception
Most critics in the UK responded warmly to the first series; although there was some mild criticisms directed towards the more crude and naturalistic aspects of the programme, reviewers reacted positively to the quality of writing and acting found on the show.In The Metro Keith Watson summed it up as "sleazy fun [but] not without a certain soiled charm"., while in The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
Brian Viner compared the set-up to that of the popular British sitcom The Royle Family
The Royle Family
The Royle Family is a popular, BAFTA award-winning television comedy drama produced by Granada Television for the BBC, which ran for three series between 1998 and 2000, and specials from 2006 onwards...
, describing Him and Her as "beautifully acted... wonderfully written... and intermittently very funny indeed". In one of the more negative reviews, David Crawford of The Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
was a little more reserved in his praise of the show; although he admitted that "the chemistry between the two leads... [gives the] filthy comedy a warm-hearted edge" he also expressed distaste for the "lewd and crude" humour frequently on display.
In respect to the perceived high-quality writing, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
labelled the series "a witty, touching show" that "has the feel of a series of short plays", while in The Radio Times Claire Webb noted how as the series progressed she found it to be "more Beckett play than the [usual] zany fare you might expect from a BBC3 sitcom.
On reviewing the final episode, Aidan Smith of The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
summarised the show as "a jam and fluff-covered gem featuring charming performances from Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani as Steve and Becky".
DVD release
The complete first series DVD was released on 18 October 2010.The second series is due for release on 26 December 2011.
External links
- Him & Her at Big Talk ProductionsBig Talk ProductionsBig Talk Productions Ltd. is an English film and television production company established in 1995 by Nira Park. The company, located in London, has produced films such as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz; it is also known for its British sitcoms such as Spaced and Free Agents...