Saxondale

Infobox British television
show_name = Saxondale


size = 250px
caption = UK DVD cover of "Saxondale" series 1
format = Sitcom
runtime = 30 minutes
creator = Neil Maclennan, Steve Coogan
starring = Steve Coogan,
Ruth Jones,
Morwenna Banks,
Rasmus Hardiker
channel = BBC Two
country = UK
first_aired = June 19 2006
last_aired = Present
num_episodes = 13
producer = Baby Cow Productions
imdb_id = 0760141

"Saxondale" is a British television situation comedy programme, starring and co-written (with Neil Maclennan) by Steve Coogan. The series is directed by Matt Lipsey and produced by Ted Dowd. Coogan and Henry Normal served as executive producers. The show is set in Stevenage, showing middle-class suburbia.

Produced by Baby Cow Productions, the programme commenced broadcast on BBC Two from 19 June 2006. It features Coogan as Tommy Saxondale, a former roadie with anger issues who now owns a pest control business. Other principal characters include Saxondale's Welsh anarchist girlfriend, Magz (Ruth Jones) and his naïve assistant, Raymond (Rasmus Hardiker). British actors Morwenna Banks, Mark Williams, Ben Miller (who script-edited the series and also directed the first episode) and Liza Tarbuck also feature. Comedian Matt Berry composed the incidental music for the series and appeared in Tommy's therapy class in the first episode of the second series.

According to a BBC press release, over the course of the series Saxondale "gets his eyesight improved by a prostitute, almost befriends a celebrity, kneecaps an annoying hippie... and experiments with women's makeup." [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/05_may/17/saxondale.shtml] Coogan describes his character as "genuinely witty, while still being a bit of a dick." [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/?id=saxondale]

BBC America began airing Saxondale in November 2006.

During an interview with Jonathan Ross on 12th September 2008, Steve Coogan announced that Saxondale will feature on his 2008 live tour of the UK.

Characters

Tommy Saxondale

Middle-aged pest-controller Tommy Saxondale (Steve Coogan), is the survivor of a hostile divorce, who now lives with his girlfriend Magz, proprietress of the anarchic T-shirt shop "Smash the System". Tommy speaks with a mild East Midlands accent, though he and Magz live in Hertfordshire. An ex-roadie, Tommy regards himself as a maverick and a free-thinker and takes every opportunity to impart his wisdom to his young assistant Raymond - most of the time, however, the wisdom he imparts is not quite as sound as he likes to think. In his line of work, as well as Pharaoh ants, mice and occasionally moths, Tommy has to battle with snowboarders, pigeon-loving activists, and people who talk about property prices. Tommy knows his own mind and isn't afraid to speak it; unfortunately, Tommy also has anger management issues, and when those around him don't give him quite the level of respect he feels he deserves, it tends to lead to explosions of temper that a result in a few more visits to the anger management course. Tommy is devoted to his Ford Mustang Mach 1, although drives the much less macho Renault Kangoo for work; a fact that he refuses to let affect his fierce sense of dignity. As he insists, it's not 'Kangaroo', it's 'Kangoo'.

Magz

Magz (Ruth Jones) is Tommy Saxondale's girlfriend. She's Welsh, and is the proprietor of a shop where she sells "shocking" t-shirts and posters, which she designs herself, often depicting cultural icons smoking drugs. Magz is level-headed and kind, acting as a stabilising influence when Tommy seems on the verge of becoming enraged. Like Raymond, Magz is incredibly passive natured and rarely stirs trouble. She is often seen painting iconic feminine figures such as the Brontë sisters or Joan of Arc topless or in overtly sexual positions. She and Tommy engage in an active, and rather kinky, sex life.

Raymond

Raymond (Rasmus Hardiker) is Tommy Saxondale's assistant and lodger. Thus, while Tommy enjoys talking about himself, training him in the mysterious and deadly art of pest control, and sharing a few life lessons, Raymond has little choice but to listen. The generation gap between Raymond and Tommy is reflected during their discussions about music, cars and life in general. He is very passive and rarely takes life as seriously as Tommy, often nodding or smiling instead of engaging with Tommy and his accolades. He lives in Tommy's spare room and gets an uncomfortably close view of Tommy and Magz's sparky relationship.

Vicky

Vicky (Morwenna Banks), is a receptionist for the agency that issues jobs to Tommy's "Stealth Pest Control" operation. Able to provoke Tommy with her lewd and bawdy sense of humour, Vicky is somewhat aware of her ditzy persona and Tommy's frustration at her sweeping generalisations.

Jonathan

Jonathan (Darren Boyd) lives in the house opposite Tommy Saxondale. He obviously disapproves of Tommy's lifestyle but tries to hide it by chatting to Tommy about cars and music, about which he knows very little, before trying to make his point by passing his opinions off as those of the other residents in the road. He often tries to appeal to Tommy's musical tastes by making clichéd and ignorant references to bands and musicians, which Tommy sees through. He appears in series two.

Keanu

Keanu (Steve Coogan) is a recurring character seen in a number of episodes throughout the series. An unemployed, homosexual drug addict and a squatter, Keanu officially changed his name by deed poll to Keanu Reeves. Overtly flamboyant with a Mancunian accent, Keanu is a stereotype of youth culture, personified by his preference for loud music, an unwillingess to work and a promiscuous and carefree lifestyle. On a number of occasions, Keanu has displayed a liking for Raymond, Tommy's assistant, of which both Tommy and Raymond are uncomfortably aware.

Episode guide

eries 1

Episode 1 - June 19, 2006Tommy attends his anger management course and clashes with the group leader, whilst Magz considers a new line of "FUCK OFF" t-shirts. Tommy searches for a replacement after sacking his previous assistant from his pest control business, as he needs a second man to convince Vicky to let him handle a "5 grand pigeon job". Eventually Tommy hires 19 year-old Raymond (who also moves into Tommy's spare room at Magz's suggestion), and the pair are confronted by animal rights protesters when they turn up to remove the pigeon infestation.

Episode 2 - June 26, 2006Tommy fights to save Magz's shop. He is also hired by the famous TV presenter of a motoring show (guest star Alexander Armstrong playing a Jeremy Clarkson-esque character) to deal with an infestation of mice.

Episode 3 - July 3, 2006An old friend from Tommy's days as a roadie turns up. While he still clings desperately to his rock 'n' roll lifestyle, Tommy is embarrassed to admit he has settled down. He soon finds himself dragged around some old haunts for a night out involving prostitutes and economy vodka. Guest starring Mark Williams.

Episode 4 - July 10, 2006Tommy meets his daughter's new boyfriend (James Lance) and is determined not to come across as an authority figure. However, he changes his tune when he feels he isn't getting enough respect from his prospective son-in-law, and turns down an invitation to a party - a decision he soon has cause to regret.

Episode 5 - July 17, 2006Tommy's convinced he's out of shape so he goes to the gym, but ends up over-exerting himself.

Episode 6 - July 24, 2006Tommy's car is wheel-clamped, an incident that leads him into conflict with Bernard Langley (Ben Miller), owner of a rival exterminator company. Tommy is convinced Langley is involved in dodgy dealings and vows to expose his corruption.

Episode 7 - July 31, 2006The future of Tommy's relationship with Magz is in jeopardy after his latest dreadful breach of social etiquette. However, he soon becomes tempted by a new woman in his life in the shape of full-figured client Rock Chick (played by Liza Tarbuck).

eries 2

Episode 8 - 23 August, 2007Tommy tracks down an old friend, Malcolm "Rabies" Jessop (Simon Greenall) only to discover he now runs his own New media company and wears a suit. Tommy also revisits his past as a roadie by briefly stepping in to man the mixing desk of a Queen tribute band, only to discover that they too are far from the rock 'n' roll spirit he used to know.

Episode 9 - 30 August, 2007When inspecting a pigeon job in a warehouse, Raymond spots someone about to commit suicide on the roof tops. Tommy manages to talk the man round, and tells the guy, Martin (played by Kevin Eldon) that he can call him or come round for a visit whenever he feels sad and depressed. The problem is that Martin begins to call round to Tommy's house on an almost daily basis.

Episode 10 - 6 September, 2007When some squatters (one of whom is Keanu, from one episode of Series 1) move into the neighbourhood, Tommy's neighbour, Jonathan, invites him to a neighbourhood association meeting to rally support for their eviction. But Tommy sympathises with the free spirit of the squatters and decides he's on their side... or is he?

Episode 11 - 13 September, 2007Tommy works at a nearby private boys' school, an institution he considers to be conformist and straight-laced. He gets invited to talk to the children about the pest control business. The kids appear more interested in his roadie work for the Floyd... and turn out to be more free-spirited than Tommy bargained for.

Episode 12 - 20 September, 2007A courtroom drama unfolds as Tommy defends himself from the charge of fare evasion. Will the judge be swayed by Tommy's passionate defence?

Episode 13 - 27 September, 2007Tommy's blinkered views land him in trouble with Magz who then seeks refuge with her Yoga tutor. How will he get her back?

Critical reception

Advance critical opinion of the show was favourable. The "Daily Telegraph" reported that it "brims with promise" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/06/11/svcoogan11.xml] and "The Guardian" described it as "very, very funny" [http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/features/story/0,,1798060,00.html?gusrc=rss]

Remake

American television network NBC announced, as part of a two-year deal with Baby Cow Productions, they will remake "Saxondale" for an American audience. NBC's senior vice-president of comedy described their aim to access the "creative sensibility" of Coogan and his colleagues. [http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1816814,00.html]

Theme music

The theme music is "House of the King" by Focus. House of the King was also used an the theme tune to the 1970s science series "Don't Ask Me", presented by Magnus Pike. Additionally, all episodes except the first have ended with an excerpt from "Hocus Pocus" by Focus.

Actor Matt Berry composed the incidental music used throughout the series. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/saxondale/] Excerpts of Jethro Tull songs have popped up over the 2 series including "Velvet Green", "Acres Wild" and "Bourée".

The 1975 Rush album "Caress of Steel" and in particular the song "The Necromancer Part III". "Return of the Prince" is referenced both musically and as a theme in Episode 13, Series 2. With Tommy and Magz discussing it at the end of the show.

See also

*Alan Partridge

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/saxondale/?id=saxondale BBC's Saxondale web page]
* [http://www.sitcom.co.uk/saxondale/ British Sitcom Guide]
*imdb title|0760141