This is easily one of the best sitcoms of the 21st century. Penned by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey, the ensemble cast do wonders with the script, and even though Eddie (Mark Benton) hammers a gag home to the point of annoyance, the effect doesn't detract from the series. The first run was beautifully handled by director Adrian Shergold, and while the second didn't boast the same gorgeous photography, Craig Cash ensured it was as rib tickling and as poignant. The rest of the cast are wonderful. Christine Bottomley is a ray of sunshine, while John Henshaw gives a sublime performance as her adoptive dad. Although there was no Christmas special or a third series, at least fans were left wanting more instead of wishing cast and crew hadn't milked the format dry. To the regiment! You'll wish you were there.

I watched both series on the BBC and now own the DVD's. A well crafted comedy with what I would consider instantly likable characters. To pick out one character, would be a dis-service, as all shine. I believe the key to good comedy is the relationship on and off camera between the actors and it's a delight to watch the out-takes on the DVD, must have been a joy to go to work everyday.Shame it's not too well known, people either shake their head or shrug their shoulders when I ask them if they've seen it. I prefer this to the Royle Family, probably cause I know what it's like to walk into a pub where the regulars are regular. Hoping for more.

I caught up with this series late in the day, it was not promoted too heavily by the BBC, quite obviously. However, I have both DVDs and can honestly say this is one of the best situation comedies ever. I suppose the easiest way to describe it is to say, take The Royle Family and set it in a pub. But this show surpasses its predecessor by a mile. There are so many deft touches with the characters and the comedy. All of the players are superb (and many have now gone on to mainstream roles in other TV programmes presumably because of their performances here). And you would find it hard to find sharper writing anywhere else on TV. As with many shows, the formula is to have themes that develop over the series. There is the bitter-sweet story of Melanie finding her biological father. Ken's romancing of Tania. The two dodgy coppers, Phil and Nige. Duffy's marital problems. Whenever Eddie and Joan embark on one of their stories you know you are in for a treat. Some of the best TV comedies do not get the attention they deserve (Seinfeld, Larry Sanders) in the UK. Do yourself a favour and borrow, buy or rent the first series. You will be buying the second and giving them as gifts to your friends for Christmas!

This show is just about as good as TV gets. To watch it and suddenly realize 30 minutes have elapsed invariably surprises me. It is just about the most relaxing TV I have ever seen.The Grapes is typical of the back street pub close to extinction in the north west of England. Especially one that serves cask conditioned beer. It's a celebration of it's gentle goings on and a sad obituary to their passing.The latest series has just started and Ken realises the men in suits from the PubCo are round the corner, waiting to do what men in suits are consistently good at. Close the pub.In the second episode, Ken soldiers on stoically, he has a cold, his bone idle fat arsed mother asks how the kettle works, the degenerate bobby's Phil and Nige are passing the dutchie in the back room and in the front room, the sparse customers expose their lives unashamedly because that's what you do in The Grapes.After an episode packed with one liners, Ken finds himself propositioned by his barmaid. I only hope we don't have a storyline coming on. God forbid it. Early Doors is The Grapes not The Rovers Return.