And that's why I'm still watching Mum. It's cringe-worthy, unbearably so. But, now that I've decided to only focus on your character Cathy and on Michael, and let all the other annoyances slide by (they're all a bit too broadly painted), I think I'm going to enjoy the rest of the series 2 episodes. This said, I'm already looking forward to your next job.

I have recently started watching this series (1) again after having lost the thread when the series was originally broadcast on the BBC. This is a TV sitcom / drama that is a joy to behold. The exquisite and nuanced characterisation, mellow pace across differing sinusoidal melancholic - comedic storylines and superb acting (Lesley Manville is derserving of all nominations!) makes for very special television.The plot revolves around the death of the husband of the central character (i.e 'Mum') and in the aftermath of that awful event the personalities that inhabit her house and life. In short (and having only watched the first 3 episodes of Series 1) I would recommend this if you like intelligent, nuanced screenplay, great acting and an all round wry look at the everyday lives of us.

I somehow managed to miss this during its original transmission, so have just watched every episode and I have to say I'm hooked.Cathy is recently widowed and just trying to get on with life, but it's the others around that keep throwing her curve balls, whether it's her well meaning son Jason, who perpetually walks around the house in his pants, his well meaning if absent minded girlfriend Kelly, or considerate brother Derek and his social climbing girlfriend Pauline. Cathy is the one who's world should have fallen apart, but instead is a level headed, strong woman, who is basically just a delightful woman.Lesley Manville, an actress I've always loved shows that comedy is as easy for her as drama, she is superb. I'm hooked on Kelly's character, Lisa McGrillis is a delight with great comedy timing. The whole cast are great, the parents in law always cause a few laughs, so realistic.I'm reminded of Grandma's House from a few years back, it's a suburban comedy, nothing slapstick or outrageous, just great character play, coupled with top notch scripts.A joy. 9/10 Roll on Series 2 and 3.

In some ways, Stefan Golaszewski's comedy 'Mum' is a very conventional sitcom: a regular cast of characters, two sympathetic central protagonists supported by a variety of comic monsters, and a setting in a three-bed-roomed suburban semi. In other respects, it's less conventional: no laughter track, and a subdued comic feel that is awfully close to the bone - human beings really do behave this way, even if not quite so relentlessly. It's unusual, however, in that its six episodes are set over a year, and tell a very slowly unfolding story, while desire for a second series has seemingly precluded the natural happy ending where you might have expected it to conclude. But it's nicely drawn, and its unfashionable basic message is that small flashes of human decency can compensate for the disappointments of life. I liked it.