TV Blog: PhoneShop

Blog by Chris Lindsay | 07 Oct 2010

Seeing as the entire Internet seemed to be shouting about it, I decided to pay a visit to E4’s new sitcom PhoneShop for its online premier ahead of it hitting TV later this week. The soulless world of hawking 24-month contracts to confused pensioners and credit addicted teenagers is certainly ripe for mocking but how consistent is its comedy coverage? (chuckle)

 

Certainly it nails something of the desperation and sleaze behind sales jobs and also provides a good line in silly faux-urban street talk. However, the characters are hopelessly 2D (and not in a good Father Ted sort of way) and the programme lacks any fresh twist on the isn’t-the-modern-workplace-horrible-and-isn’t-the-boss-an-idiot formula of The Office.

A couple of good gags shone through, particularly the moment when one of the cast began spouting clichés from mobile phone ads and a face-off based around naming mobile phone packages. Another thing in PhoneShop’s favour is that it boasts a genuinely multicultural cast which feels natural and spreads prominence equally between its players.

No classic but no disaster either, PhoneShop is worth watching on a casual pay-as-you-go basis rather than signing up to whole sale.

 

PhoneShop is online at 4od.