Network is delighted to announce the DVD release of this comedy series by the irrepressible Caroline Aherne, Mrs Merton & Malcolm (PG) on 10th November 2008. This set contains all 6 episodes of the series, complete and uncut, RRP £14.99.
A spin-off from the successful and well-loved Mrs Merton Show, Caroline Ahearne continues to entertain the viewers with her wit and endless talent in the creation and performance of this inky black comedy series. We see the elderly but feisty chat show hostess in her domestic setting.
She is a doting mother to the 37year old Malcolm (co-writer Craig Cash), who appears to be stuck in a time capsule apart from his physical maturity, everything else about Malcolm (mentality, intelligence, attitude etc.) appears to have frozen at the age of preteen years.
There is also the bedridden Mr. Merton who is never seen or heard. It is one of the main characterisations of the show that Mrs. Merton carries out a one-sided conversation with him after tucking Malcolm into bed at the end of each day.
This is a sitcom with a twist in that it is highly amusing and at the same time pitch-black. The edgy humour divided the critics as the programme was first aired in 1999 much to the shock of the writers, who did not anticipate such strong reactions from some quarters.
The show also features the legendary Brian Murphy (George and Mildred, Man About the House) as the aged, forgetful family friend Arthur Capstick. Steve Coogan also has a prevailing presence in this series as the voice of the smug disc jokey on the radio, the voice of Malcolm’s motivational tapes and a guest appearance towards the end of the series.