Funny Woman (2023– ) User Reviews

It's About Comedy not a Comedy

[tommylib · 7/10 · 8 February 2024]

I largely enjoyed Funny Woman but I do understand the negative reviews. The problem, IMO, is the show is about a woman in comedy in the 1960s and not actually a comedy.

Gemma Arterton plays Barbara Parker, an attractive woman who learned to love comedy from her father. The show is about Barbara rebelling against the stereotypes associated with being an attractive woman and wanting to make her own way.

When it sticks to that premise, it's fantastic. We see Barbara fighting to be comedic when everyone else just wants to see her assets. Her relationship with her father is an absolute treat.

Another great part of the show is the relationship with her friends. Women sticking together instead of stabbing each other in the back.

It's great as the show runner, writers, and other lead slowly understand she's funny, that audiences laugh at her. Is she actually funny to modern viewers? Not really but considering Lucille Ball is the standard she measures herself against, you get what she's trying to do.

Where it fails is when it tries to be comedy, particularly the slapstick scenes they throw in every episode that are just totally out of place. It's not a comedy! Even the writers seem confused by this, let alone the viewers.

This would be one of my favorites if they stuck to the premise instead of trying to make it comedic. It's a drama and a darned good one.

Arterton shine's in feel good comedy/drama

[peterrichboy · 8/10 · 1 March 2023]

Based on the book by Nick Hornby Funny Woman start's with a Blackpool beauty queen, who has her future mapped out for her. Bored in her Blackpool rock making factory, destined to marry the local butcher. She gives it all up to head south to London in search of fame and fortune.

As always this does not go to plan wannabe comedian actress Barbara Parker aka Sophie Straw. Works her way through various mundane job's in between auditions before getting her break in a TV situation comedy written and staring by oxbridge performers who fail to grasp her northern humour.

Set in the swinging sixties Funny Woman is a delightful nostalgic trip through the period of early television and how women were faced prejudices to be seen as funny in what was a man's world. 8/10.

Better than expected

[yvqpfjndp · 8/10 · 19 February 2023]

Had assumed this was going to be a pretty predictable romcom or such given the trailers but it actually turned out to be a really nice heartfelt story of rags to riches with unexpected comic smarts from Arterton, who knew she could do comedy. There's ups and downs to her fortune along the way so not all rise and rise. It's not just Arterton who does well though, the whole cast are great, Everett, Batemen, Davies and Ali all contribute to a very enjoyable way to spend an evening. Unclear if another season is on the cards but I'd say there's legs in the characters but they'd need another story arc. Fingers crossed.

Funny Lady

[kennethdower · 10/10 · 14 February 2023]

Loved this mini-series. These days, they usually go on for too long, but there's not an ounce of fat on this one and it breezes by in six episodes.

Gemma Arterton shines as the funny woman, and Rupert Everett is quite hilarious, seemingly channeling Alastair Sim a bit. The rest of the cast is excellent, and the script is very fine. I haven't read the book, so I cannot compare the two, but I found this totally enjoyable and highly entertaining. The recreation of the 1960's was very good, including some imaginative use of vintage films of London with Arterton skillfully inserted into them. Highly recommended.

Gemma Gemma Gemma

[denright-42277 · 10/10 · 11 February 2023]

What an astounding tour de force - Gemma Arterton is simply astonishing and owns every second on screen.

A rags to riches tale of nostalgia and the golden era of tv. Funny touching and always endearing without becoming treacly.

I am hoping that the 6 episodes are not the only time we get to see the life of Sophie Straw/Barbara Parker & the crazy 60' world of showbiz and it's characters.

I seriously believe that Miss Arterton has announced to the world that she is here to stay and her stay is on the rise again after her performances in this excellent show. A huge success and a great adaptation of a Nick Hornsby novel.

Fabulous Funny Woman

[Samfalls · 9 June 2023]

For me, Funny Woman was a fabulous accidental find ...so needed a laugh tonight after a bleak day. Thankfully Funny Woman gave the laughs I needed...Gemma Arterton is mesmerising on screen & perfect as comical Sophie Straw. Loving this show & need more...such a great find! Hope there's a series 2, 3, 4 etc...thanks for great television, such a rarity today... Sophie Straw aka is Barbara Parker from Blackpool; Funny Woman is set in the swinging 60's & Barbara is off to London to make a better life for herself. This she does with gusto & great humour...love the music too! Great watch tv that is essential viewing...

A pleasant baby boomer, pop culture romp

[kmyoutube · 7/10 · 17 March 2023]

Gemma Arterton shines brightly. Most of the show is wonderful. I was underwhelmed with bits here and there. Yes, it successfully illustrated the non-woke mentality of society 50+ years ago. The show is a peculiar blend of lightweight fluff and drama. Sometimes I wished it was more comedic or more dramatic. As I said, a peculiar blend. There are dramatic scenes and I didn't feel that level of drama carried through from scene to scene. Likewise there were comedic scenes that were rather slight. In fact most of the comedy was regulated to the sit-com segments itself. Again, I wasn't sure the dramatic aspects really punched through enough to glue it all together. A pleasant baby boomer, pop culture romp but I'm hesitant to commit to watching a season 2.

Happy, funny and totally addictive

[1930s_Time_Machine · 9/10 · 18 February 2023]

They've created the perfect, feel-good comedy drama with this. Everything about this just works. I can't think of anything at all which could make it any better. It's beautifully written, beautifully photographed and its optimism just makes you feel happy. You can't help but smile when you watch this.

In some ways it has a similar feel to the American show, MRS MAISEL but because the characters are more normal it's a little more relatable. It's instantly engaging and you yourself are fully on board with Sophie's journey. Gemma Arterton was born to play this role.... and Rupert Everett is hilarious.

slightly funny with plenty of social commentary

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 16 June 2023]

Barbara Parker (Gemma Arterton) wins a local beauty pageant as Miss Blackpool Belle 1964, but the small northern town is not enough for her. She's headed to London. She befriends Marjorie Harrison (Alexa Davies) at her department store job. She wants to be the next Lucille Ball. She is discovered by theatrical agent Brian Debenham (Rupert Everett) who gives her the stage name, Sophie Straw. Despite being a newbie and ill-fitting for the role, producer Dennis Mahindra (Arsher Ali) advocates for her to get the lead of his show.

Gemma Arterton has some comedic acting skills although not a downright comedian. She's no Lucille Ball. At least, she's going all out. She does better than I expected. I would also like more behind-the-scenes with the writing process although that may not be good TV. This is based on a book by Nick Hornby. The first series ends with a loose thread, but also ends with The End. I have doubts about a second series. This has plenty of social commentary from that era. It's not groundbreaking although it is interesting to see the UK version. The show is slightly funny. The more important part of the title is the Woman.

What a delight...!!

[debbisarjeant-8-653240 · 10/10 · 11 February 2023]

From the writing to the perfect casting, I enjoyed every nanosecond of this series. I sincerely hope there will be a season 2, 3, 4.... Infinitium.

Such a light hearted but still genuinely felt approach to the real issues that the 60's and 70's were trying to deal with, make it more than palatable for even the hardest conservative viewer.

There wasn't one character out of place, nor one subject matter mishandled..

Emma Arterton is truly a delight for the eyes and the soul and completely inspiring to every female, even in today's world.

I was only disappointed that there were just 6 episodes in Season 1.

Funny, smart, gorgeous and brilliant woman

[alanpriest-53916 · 9/10 · 3 May 2023]

What a treat this show turned out to be. Gemma Arturton in the lead was quite stupendous, consistently bringing every emotion to every scene - she ought to be right up there when the tv awards are handed out. Indeed, the whole cast are superb and so believable. Feel-good, yes, but I reckon it would be almost impossible not to be pulled in every emotional direction as this programme just gets better and better as it goes on. It would be great if a sequel came along, however, somehow it could just as well stay as a one-off. Finally, it should be thought of as a virtually unique tour-de-force and possibly one of Sky's ever dramas.

Why?

[njktswfpv · 5/10 · 19 February 2023]

Great cast. Passible acting. Great sets. Great music. There is one glaring absence. Anything funny! I really wanted to love this but there is nothing even mildly amusing. Barbara (whilst shlepping into 'funny') is just excruciatingly annoying. She demonstrates herself doing a wide verity of accents and yet can only apparently speak with a Lancashire accent. They should have looked at The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to see how this kind of thing can be done properly. It's not that the whole drama isn't done with sensitivity or affection it's just that even the apparently funny bits that have the audience in stitches aren't funny. Such a shame.

Outstanding Mini-Series

[canterburyghosttour · 10/10 · 17 February 2023]

My review:

Genuinely a lovely bio-pic of so many girls from "up-North" who tried to escape the dull drudgery of 1960's Britain in hope of fun and Bright Lights in London.

Characters are well drawn, and easy to identify with, ruthless executives who control light-entertainment without a hint of comedy! Some genuinely funny lines, and physical comedy moments. As a writer myself, I understand what challenges they faced in the 60's and early 70's with Mary White house's moral crusade to clean up TV. She must be spinning in her grave with what we see on our screens today?

Laugh and cry in equal measure as we follow the Blackpool beauty Queen on her journey, with pitfalls and excitement along the way. Having worked in Oxford Street in the 1980's nothing had changed in the canteens from the 60's, still very recognisable! Lots of nice original footage interlinked with the main character galavanting through London.

I watched it back to back on Catch-up, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Brilliantly done

[kevinsadler-45246 · 10/10 · 13 October 2023]

This period comedy drama from Sky is absolutely fantastic. Mixing old film with original content it looks great and the attention to detail is amazing. Gemma Arteton is superb in the lead role and steals every scene she's in , but the supporting cast are also great with some very well known faces. As has already been mentioned, Rupert Everett channels his inner ,Alistair Simm brilliantly , playing a sleazy theatrical agent drawing on , what seems like , a very broad experience of the real thing !!

The series is accompanied by a brilliant sound track with a blend of reggae , Northern soul and pop .....a great story with top notch acting and great camera work.

Best TV for ages

[ianleamon · 10/10 · 15 February 2023]

Gemma Arterton is quite simply brilliant in this adaptation of Nick Hornby's Funny Girl.

You'll be rooting for her all the way through and although you might have to take a few things with a pinch of, would that have really happened in the sixties, salt, there is so much to enjoy from the soundtrack to the spot on 60's sets and by no means least the laugh out load humour and cast chemistry.

Speaking of the supporting cast, they really bring their characters to life. Special mention for Arsher Ali who conveys so much without saying anything and Rosie Cavaliero for showing the frustrations of giving up everything for others.

I came away from each episode wanting more, just fantastic all round. Here's hoping there will be a second series.

Feel good TV

[cathyannemoore-66196 · 8/10 · 17 March 2023]

There should be more of these feel good nostalgic TV programmes. Lovely period piece set in the 1960s. Main character Barbara obviously based on Lucille Ball who was the famous zany female at that time and very pretty. Loved that Barbara was northern which as well as being female challenge to getting a comedic part on TV. Would have scored 10 except I think the story was stretched out a bit toward the end and could have been told in less than six episodes. Gemma Arterton plays the part very well indeed and I note is on the production team. Some clumsy, obvious efforts to try and raise 21st century woke issues.

Breath of fresh air

[NJOYFLMS · 9/10 · 12 February 2023]

Brilliant series. Capturing the mood at the time and experience of women particularl trying to break into show business . Gemma Arterton captures the character brilliantly. Such a talented actress. All the characters play their roles superbly. The mention of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and especially Peter Cook and Dudley Moor is so nostalgic.

The story weaves around some topical subjects of the time whilst creating the story of Barbara's ambition to make something of herself and hoping to become a leading comic actress but coming up against stuffy heads of departments with archaic rules and regulations in TV.

Gemma does a magnificent job, such a natural actress.

Cheap Laughs

[crumpytv · 2/10 · 19 June 2023]

Gemma Arterton is very good, although at little too goofy at times and could have benefited from being a bit more subtle.

Rupert Everett is unrecognisable. A treat to see someone doing a great piece of character acting.

However, I just had to give up at the start of episode 3.

The depiction and attitude towards TV in 1964 is completely wrong. There was definitely nothing like the euphemistic sex scene towards the end of episode 2, comedic or otherwise.

The talk show introduce at the start of episode 3 was, again, completely wrong. There was nothing like this on TV at the time.

It is wrong to suggest to later generations that this was an example of 1960s TV, or is this an example of culture correction. Depict it as it should have been rather than how it actually was.

I know it is supposed to be a comedy, but in my book using profanities for cheap laughs is just substandard writing. The language on TV these days is unacceptable. It is a disrespect to the viewers to introduce it into homes of people from a generation who find it offensive. It was always meant to be offensive. When did that change?

Using it in comedy is just the lowest point. It's not funny. It is jarring, abrasive and disrespectful to the audience.

This is a missed opportunity. It could have been good if a little more research had been done into the standard of TV back in 1964 and how the script writers hands were tied by the restrictions that there were.

Also, as an aside, you would not have been allowed into a high class restaurant wearing a tee shirt and slacks. It was all suites, collar and ties in those days.

Loved it.

[gabriella-71231 · 10/10 · 20 January 2024]

I don't know why we need to write six hundred words to say we loved this series. Maybe because it deserves all the praise possible. In an era of horror, melancholy and sci-fi with the intention to make you feel depressed and hate this series is a breath of life. A movie so wonderfully nostalgic for the good old days of comedy, cuteness and innocence and with truth that's still so relatable today. Very original story. Casting excellent. Script completely engaging with an excellent can't take your eyes of cast. Comedy it is but with very real issues. More of this please. Deserves an excellent score.

Very funny series!

[wvgdqksk · 10/10 · 21 January 2024]

We loved the entire cast, especially Gemma Arterton/Barbara. Tom/Clive was believable and predictable but so darling. Barbara's facial expressions say so much, she's a brilliant actress. Dennis's demeanor was a perfect complement to the group and he was so sweet but savvy about the business side of TV. Matthew Beard's role was very different from his Vienna Blood role, he's quite versatile. The show is well written, touching and hilarious. The music from that era added s lot to the storyline. Cinderella's dream really did come true. We believe it's reality in the '60s.. We want another season please!

Clever Writing and Acting

[dcarroll74 · 10/10 · 15 March 2023]

I only came across this series by accident, and I'm glad I did. I wasn't sure about E01 but, there were bits that showed promise so, I decided I'd give it a go and continue viewing. I'm glad I did.

E02 had my sides split from laughing. Being a sixties child and seeing British comedy of the time on TV, even in Southern Ireland, it was an eye opener to see how shows were put together from the offscreen side, all the work put in to get it together, in all aspects.

As a rugby fan, the unspoken scene with the rugby ball standing in for a Sunday roast in rehearsals, was hilarious. The skills showed by Gemma in the non-voiced scene made me wonder, has she played basketball or net ball before? The way she handled that ball was not acting, that was pure skill.

I'm only up to E03 so I cannot comment on the rest of the series, except to say, it's really worth watching. The irony of this particular episode is this. I'm watching it in the week that Ireland is going for a double Grand Slam in Rugby, Senior and U20.

There is a scene where Barbara "Gemma" unexpectdly gets her period before first recording. This same week, the Irish Women's Rugby team became the first team in the World, to have their shorts colour changed, from white to blue, for that exact reason.

I know the English Roses women's team have pushed for this in soccer, I haven't heard if they have been successful yet. I suggest they should quote the IRFU as an example of modern thinking, that is only decades overdue but has come to rights, eventually.

It is said, life imitates art, sometimes art imitates life. A small but, very important scene, may just have paved the way for women in sports, and life in general. I hope so, and I'm a man.

Gemma, Morwenna, and all the gang, this series rocks; and take that from a grandfather who turned 65 at the beginning of March. Thank you for my comedic birthday preasent, it is a pleasant shot in the arm. And thank you for kicking fake men in the balls, they need waking up.

Spectacular and addictive

[ndaudt-29582 · 10/10 · 2 July 2023]

Gemma Arterton makes us believe in good entertainment again. I saw this series on the airplane and now in Brazil am sad that I can't find a streamer that plays it. A rags to riches funny story where talent wins over influence.

Impressive play also by Rupert Everett on very well made costume and make up. Also, the series touches on important themes in a funny way, keeping the comedy spirit and not necessarily dragging on too much dramatic content. This series should be available to the major public and I hope we can have access soon in a major channel/streamer. Congrats to the cast and crew for this funny show.

FUNNY!!

[gregoryhoneycutt · 10/10 · 17 February 2024]

Original, funny adult series. Give us more!!

Especially entertaining if you lived during this era. Arterton is a comic genius, and I hope we see more of her. Blended serious drama into this hilarious comedy. Cast is completely engaging and supportive of her character. Should be interesting to see where they go with the themes.

The music of the era is brillantly used to emphasize themes and plot twists (I am struggling to get enough woirds into this review, as I think I hace covered the primary and salient features). You really should make it a point to see all of this rare adult rom/com, I excitedly await the sequel.

Not typical of 60's TV & gratuitous vulgar swearing

[ccollette-70251 · 3/10 · 11 January 2024]

I was so looking forward to viewing a 60's comedy series; but was sorely disappointed in the characters, acting and swearing! I grew up in the 60's and TV did not have swearing like this--realizing the gratuitous swearing may have been behind the scenes of film/TV production at that time. I just don't understand and challenge the need for the swearing and constant f-bombs. Demonstrates poor writing and low communication skills. Most of the characters are unlikeable/unbelievable. It would be welcomed to be able to enjoy gpod stories/plots/ writing w/o having to endure the unnecessary vulgarity.

From a rating of 2 to 9

[debkamaine · 9/10 · 15 January 2024]

Changed rating from 2 to 9. I decided to give the show a chance. I actually skipped the third episode but, for lack of anything else to do watched the 4th and 5th., The show is fantastic. It took time to come round to the actress. The jokes weren't funny and she overacts, but you get used to it and it doesn't bother you. It is a brilliant representation of the times-clothing, scenery, music, theme. The plot a great, too. The lead woman's acting is, admittedly, uncomfortable to watch, that's why the rating of 9 but one comes around. I really am enjoying being brought back to the 60s era. I'm American and UK is where it was at. This is a fantastic, brilliant, realistic, depiction of what it probably was like. Very good.