Married Single Other: Episode 1

ITV1 presents us with that most fatal of shows - the comedy drama - a turn of phrase that usually ensures that there’ll be a dearth of both, wrapped up with some cute and twee opening credits. What follows is somewhat more of the same, and it’s a bit of a risk to have a relationship drama in which all the main characters essentially get on with and like each other.

Risky, but it pays off, since the actors themselves are likeable enough to keep us watching. Leave your preconceived notions at the (bedroom) door: Ralf Little (The Royle Family) actually manages to convince as a moneyed lothario. It is, however, a little disappointing that a modern relationship drama has no representatives from what used to be coyly referred to as ‘alternative lifestyles’. There aren’t really any real surprises here amongst the cute lines, cute kids, and cute situations: smooth charmer surprised that a successful model is immune to him, couple are happily (un) married, and so on.

With a soundtrack viciously designed to have you downloading tracks from iTunes as soon as the episode is done, this is obviously an attempt at Cold Feet: The Next Generation (in fact, it’s a bit of a surprise not to hear 'Female Of The Species' at any point). ITV1’s Great White Hope (and indeed, as well as being very straight, this is also very white), there are at least some startling moments of darkness - one character works in a Woman’s Refuge Shelter and the Rules Of Drama will normally dictate that one lead character will require its services at some point.

Otherwise, this is charming and gentle comedy. There's nothing here to suggest that it might last beyond this run of 6 episodes, but equally there's nothing to suggest that it might not go for 6 years. Like one character who spends most of his time at the computer rather than with his wife, it could really go either way.



Airs at 9pm on Monday 22nd February 2010 on ITV1.

Written by Andrew Allen.