Teenage Kicks (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Teenage Kicks


caption =
format = Sitcom
camera =
picture_format =
audio_format =
runtime = 30 minutes
creator =
developer =
producer = Joan Schneider
executive_producer =
starring = Adrian Edmondson
Ed Coleman
Laura Aikman
Jonathon Chan-Pensley
Mark Arden
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = UK
network = ITV1
first_aired = March 28, 2008
last_aired = Present
num_series =
num_episodes = 8 as of 16 May 2008
list_episodes =
website = http://www.itv.com/teenagekicks
imdb_id = 1196565
tv_com_id = 75439

"Teenage Kicks" is a British sitcom starring Adrian Edmondson, Ed Coleman and Laura Aikman, filmed at Teddington Studios. Originally as a radio show for BBC Radio 2 in 2007,cite web|last=Lavalie|first=John|url=http://epguides.com/TeenageKicks/|title=Teenage Kicks (a Titles & Air Dates Guide)|publisher=epguides.com|accessdate=2007-11-17] it has now been turned into a TV series by Phil McIntyre Productions for ITV, with the first episode premiering on 28 March 2008. The opening theme tune is Teenage Kicks by the band Busted

Cast

* Adrian Edmondson - Vernon
* Ed Coleman - Max
* Laura Aikman - Milly
* Jonathon Chan-Pensley - David
* Mark Arden - Bryan

Plot

Vernon (Edmondson) is a 49-year-old former front man for a punk rock band called "The Plague".cite web|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000126|title=News - Teenage Kicks to switch to BBC2?|publisher=British Sitcom Guide|date=2007-02-09|accessdate=2007-11-17] After living off his wife for the last two decades and spending most of his time in the pub, the two divorce, and Vernon is forced to move into a student flat in Kilburn, London, occupied by his children Max (Ed Coleman) and Milly (Laura Aikman), as well as their flatmate David (Jonathan Chan-Pensley). Vernon believes that moving in with them will rekindle his old world. However, Max, Milly and David are disgusted by him,cite web|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000329|title=News - ITV reveals 2008 comedy line-up|publisher=British Sitcom Guide|date=2007-11-15|accessdate=2007-11-17] and his best friend and former Plague member Bryan (Mark Arden) appears to have "sold-out", now working as a deputy head teacher of a primary school and happily married.

Production

The original radio series was broadcast on BBC Radio 2, recorded in The Drill Hall in late 2006.cite news|last=Cook|first=William|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/comedy/story/0,,1955103,00.html|title=Preview: Ricky Gervais London; Teenage Kicks, London; Clive James, Chester, Caenarvon|publisher=The Guardian|date=2006-11-25|accessdate=2007-11-17] Originally a pilot was to be made for BBC Two. However, ITV took control of the project and commissioned eight episodes. Paul Jackson, ITVs director of entertainment and comedy said, "From the moment I arrived in this job I have made it my mission to bring quality sitcom back to ITV, this project absolutely does that and I'm very excited about having Ade back on our screens." [cite web|last=West|first=Dave|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a44761/ade-edmondson-returns-to-comedy.html|title=Ade Edmondson returns to comedy|publisher=Digital Spy|date=2007-04-03|accessdate=2007-11-17]

A pilot version of the first episode was shot in 2007 with the notable difference of Ben Elton in the role Bryan, the same role he had played in the original radio version. Elton was replaced by Mark Arden in the transmitted version and the following season for reasons unknown.

Reception

The show has been seen as Edmondson's return to TV comedy (following his straight role in "Holby City"), with the character of Vernon being compared to that of Vyvyan, a similar punk character he played in the BBC TV sitcom "The Young Ones". The first episode's preview in "The Guardian" TV listings was scathing, describing the programme as a "graceless gumbo of mainstream sentimentality and "Bottom"-esque cruelty... roaring awfulness." Concluding: "Tonight's episode [sees] ... Chinese flatmate mocked for having a Chinese accent. Unbelievable."

Episode listing

Series 1 (2008)

#"Sex" (28 March 2008)
#"Work" (4 April 2008)
#"Sorry" (11 April 2008)
#"Health" (18 April 2008)
#"Student" (25 April 2008)
#"Fame" (2 May 2008)
#"Exodus" (9 May 2008)
#"Goodbye Cruel Worm" (16 May 2008)

2008 Christmas Special

Series 2 (2009)

TBA

References

External links

*itv.com|id=teenagekicks|title="Teenage Kicks"
* [http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/teenage_kicks/ "Teenage Kicks" at the British Comedy Guide]