Whether or not you live or have ever lived in a small town, this series has something to offer. It has a unique mix of real emotion, wacky slapstick, satirical bite and great characters. While that may sound paradoxical, it works. The characters are the great forte of the show; the viewer can relate to their very human fallacies, and even if they don't recognize themselves, they might recognize, say, a mother-in-law... One reason some may be rubbed to wrong way by it might be unresolved and immature attitudes towards grief, but that's their problem, really, and no one else's. The series revolves around women, but even being a man I had no problem relating, after all doesn't everything? In many ways it is better than Abfab, even though a comparison based on having some of the same people involved is obviously inane. They - are - different - shows! Unlike Abfab, it is refreshingly nonviolent, and succeeds in being truly warm, truly therapeutic and truly funny. And if you don't believe me, watch it and see for yourself. It is sad that the third season will be the last, alas I haven't seen it yet, but I hope it at least got to end in the natural, settled way it deserves.

At least, these are my guesses (and some have of course already been mentioned by others):1. People expected a new AbFab, and luckily, J&J isn't (because AbFab is great as it is)!2. The characters are warm and not just stereotypes (like the ones in AbFab); and the funny bits are sometimes very subtle (not the sledgehammer kind of slapstick one finds in AbFab), and...3. ... there are (luckily) no artificial/audience laughs to tell people when something's funny. (I mean this!)4. Over the whole series hangs a curtain of melancholy. It's all about old age, death, illness, broken hopes, and all these matters hit the viewer directly, without a cushion of slapstick and silly punch lines in between. My favorite characters (French and Lumley) are the best examples: Ultimately funny, but one cannot get rid of the feeling that they are in fact pathetically tragic.Actually, Mirrorball was similar in that it removed the wealth and consequently the care-freeness from an AbFab-like constellation of people, resulting in a much more tragic and bitter show. I don't know whether this was the reason they never made more than one episode, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was the reason.So, anyone who likes a subtle and - in parts - sad comedy which deals with more or less real life situations, and which is played by extremely good actors which are up to the task: give J&J a try! The only thing I really don't like is the music. Can't stand folk...

I just discovered the series. I became so absorbed that I ended up watching the whole 1st season in a weekend. In some ways, everyone is familiar with this community but, we rarely stop to see the humor that surround our daily life. This show reminded me to appreciate the odd moments that happen daily. I began watching because of how much I admire Sue Johnston's work and was again impressed. I was surprised, however, to see how much depth the rest of the cast showed. The scripts shifts quickly from humor to grief then on to love or annoyance and on an on. Usually one feels jostled with such transitions but the script and the expert acting by the cast keeps the plot flowing. I became absorbed in the story and only at the end did I realize how much was covered.That can only be accomplished when a whole cast is up to the task. I can't wait for the next season!

This is a lovely program about life in a small village. Having grown up in a small town I can identify with the different personalities you find in small villages and towns everywhere. It's not supposed to be side split-tingly funny but a gentle poke at the small town politics that occur in a "ladies guild" sort of organisation. We had them in my home town and I would imagine just about every small town has them still. If you have never encountered this sort of life I pity you and this program will bore you but if you have the luck to live in such a place you will see the funny side of things and maybe even see yourself in one of the characters. I look forward to series two!