Religion has always been an obvious target for comedians and satirists who notice some of the more glaring contradictions, misinterpretations or the lengths people will go to justify their beliefs, especially those who are more conservative or extreme. However, instead of attacking or mocking Christianity a new BBC sitcom called Rev., which started on June 28, is more of a playful observation of life in the service of God.
Tom Hollander (that ace short bloke from In The Loop and the Pirates of the Caribbean films) stars as Reverend Adam Smallbone, a well meaning man who likes a bit of a drink but tries his best to fulfil his duties despite being surrounded by manipulative fools and crackpots. Although it looks funny on paper the humour in Rev. is nuanced and almost secondary.
Tom Hollander Rev. Sitcom
Unlike The Vicar of Dibley – yes the lazy comparisons are being trotted out already – that was merely a sitcom that, barring a couple of episodes, due to its broad jokes could have been set anywhere. Rev. is much more character driven and comes across as very well researched by the writers (Hollander along with James Wood). It’s fair to say there are very few actual laugh-out-loud moments; instead cheap gags are largely cast aside in favour of continuing the plot and establishing the traits of the people at the centre of Rev.
At its best Rev. is a commentary on religious apathy in modern day Britain, where people only see church as a place for weddings or something they have to do on important religious festivals. As one annoyed child dragged along on a Sunday asks his clueless MP father (played by Alexander Armstrong): “Why are we doing this? It’s not Christmas.”
Smallbone notices during one sermon that the usually small gathering suddenly grows in size, until it transpires that most of the adults are feigning interest in coming to church as a way of gaining their child a place at his school which recently received a good (with elements of outstanding) Ofsted report. It’s easy to be cynical about eager parents but plot points such as that are utterly believable.
Rev. Sitcom not Funny Enough
Yet it still comes back to the point about it not being funny enough. The builder stuff was terrible up until the point that Smallbone removes his collar and finally retorts in a blunt manner to their jeering. Also, why have someone like Olivia Coleman in a supporting role if she’s not allowed to display some of the same energy on the likes of Peep Show?
The bits that are funny work very well though. Midway through episode one there was a brilliant scene where the two parishioners (the other one being Miles Jupp) run through prospective bible-based questions to test parents and end up getting lost while debating an answer between themselves. Plus the delightfully down to Earth Steve Evets (from Looking For Eric) pops up as the enthusiastic but misguided follower Colin and is so far the funniest thing in Rev.
Regardless of the comedic shortcomings Hollander is such a likeable presence that it’s hard not to feel the urge to return for more.
Rev. is on Mondays at 10pm on BBC Two and BBC HD.
Steven Cookson - Steven Cookson is a writer and attempted journalist based in Howden. Originally from Chester, that Hollyoaks place in North-West of ...
