W1A, episode 3 review: three series in, this one-time funny sitcom is just irritating
OK, I’m just going to come out and say it: W1A (BBC Two) isn’t very funny any more. In fact, it’s quite irritating. It hasn’t really changed a jot in three series and the concept is, frankly, tired. I suppose it’s a bit like that favourite song, which you play and play and play (and play) until you simply can’t bear it.
So, where I used to howl with laughter when BBC Head of Values Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) said something vaguely sensible, only to be met with a wave of inane drivel (“Yes, exactly, yes”; “No, very strong”), now I just groan and hope that it will all be over quickly. God, I’m actually turning into that grouchy old Controller of News and Current Affairs, Neil Reid (David Westhead), who’s favourite word seems to be “b-----ks”.
Unsurprisingly, then, this episode was much the same as all the others. The gang discussed how to do more of less, better (or something), it went terribly wrong (this time, rumours that the BBC Big Swing Band was going to be axed somehow got out) and Fletcher was left to clear up the mess. Then we cut to BBC brand consultant Siobhan Sharpe (Jessica Hynes) doing something funky and idiotic with her funky and idiotic team.
Sharpe used to steal every scene she was in but the writers are trying too hard with her now. I have been in lots of meetings with people who speak the kind of PR-babble that Sharpe does. That’s why the character is funny. But I’ve not seen anyone in any office pretend to be at a silent disco, as she did at the end of this episode.
Look, there are still some nice touches. I very much enjoyed hearing Senior Communications Officer Tracey Pritchard (Monica Dolan) complain about “some 14-year-old from The Buzzfeed”, for example. But someone at the BBC really ought to find the courage to kill this particular darling.
