T.V you missed (possibly)
Although these programmes are aimed at a younger demographic I feel that it's a shame if middle aged codgers, like myself, miss out on them because the way they're marketed. You'd be forgiven, seeing the adverts for these programmes, for assuming that they were shallow, booze and drug-filled escapades, peopled by irritating stereotypes. In the case of Fresh Meat, this certainly seems to be the impression that the advertisers want you to have. In fact this programme is sharp, witty and occasionally poignant. It features characters helping each other through bereavements, meltdowns and dysfunctional parenting. (It also features quite a lot of drinking and drug taking but it is set at a University).
My Mad Fat Diary is a masterpiece; brilliant '90s music, credible, flawed characters and an insightful portrayal of a girl battling mental illness. Based on the real diary of Rae Earl; entitled My Mad Fat Teenage Diary, this is a masterful adaptation. They've moved the action from the late '80s to the mid '90s and this works really well. To be honest though it wouldn't matter when it was set because the themes are universal. Unfortunately teenagers, and their 'adult' counterparts, are always going to suffer from depression, insecurity, bullying and issues with weight. This programmes tackles those issues really well. It doesn't shy away from the dark themes of self-harm, homophobia, pressure to conform to a supposed ideal but it balances them carefully with humour and hope.
To be frank I watched this programme thinking "Oh my god - I am her!" Or was, to be more exact. I wish that there had been a programme like this around when I was a teenager. The second series was even darker than the first and had me gasping with fear - 'No, don't do it!' or gulping with emotion. Try and watch the bit where Archie comes out or where Rae's therapist teaches her how to like herself, without doing the latter.
A prevailing theme throughout both these shows is the importance and power of friendship. To get a bit deep about it (as if this blog isn't pretentious enough) One of the things many people battle with in modern society is alienation or disconnectedness and to watch something that gives you a sense of connection, even if that is an illusion, can't be a bad thing.
Give yourself a treat, while the weather is not so good, and cuddle up under a duvet and watch these shows on catch-up. Oh, and there are some great performances too - Jack Whitehall and Zawe Ashton in Fresh Meat, Sharon Rooney, Claire Rushbrook and Ian Hart in My Mad Fat Diary to name but a few.
