A comedy about life in a social services department penned by, and starring, comedian Jo Brand will come to TV screens this June.
The social-work based show, ‘Damned’, is part of a series of one-off comedies announced by Sky Arts. Brand, a former mental health nurse, has previous form in taking a comic look at public services with her comedy Getting On set in an NHS ward.
Brand co-wrote ‘Damned’ with former Absolutely star Morwenna Banks for Sky’s Playhouse Presents series. The show will also star comedian Kevin Eldon. The comedy will screen on the 12th June.
Here’s a blurb about the show from the British Comedy Guide…
Social worker and single parent Rose (Brand) is having a bad day. At work the heating is broken, there’s a patronising new temp, and her three kids are off school sick. The chaos of the office is matched only by the chaos of her home life when Rose discovers her mum has misplaced her children. Could her day get any worse? Yes, indeed it could and it does when Rose is confronted with a crisis that even an experienced professional like her could not have anticipated…
Although the show is currently billed as a one-off, The British Comedy guide points out that Sky Arts have previously used the Playhouse Presents slot to road test new ideas for longer series.
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I can’t see this being much of a comedy, more irony if anything and a focus on how service users have to fight to get the services they need and social workers are strapped to the hilt with restrictions that don’t allow them the time or resources to give people the service they deserve. ie, a GOOD ONE!
I think it’s a great idea – in fact i don’t know why it hasn’t been done before – Homour is a great therapy in times of difficulties, and I’m sure some parents who have Social Workers in their life will find it hilarious – personally I will be watching it ..!