Getting On, Wednesday, BBC4

Posted by Liberty Jones

        

We were expecting great things from Getting On, a pitch-black comedy set in the geriatric ward of an NHS hospital – and by and large we weren’t disappointed. Devised and written by the female cast members, the show centres around three brilliantly observed members of staff.

Jo Brand plays a common-sense nurse called Kim Wilde (apparently the real Ms Wilde approved the choice and even offered to appear as a patient), while Joanna Scanlan is harassed nursing sister Den Flixter and Vicki Pepperdine faeces-obsessed doctor Pippa Moore.

In last night’s opener, the staff were struggling to copy with the hospital’s bureaucratic absurdities. Thus the discovery of a poo on a chair meant the offending article couldn't simply be cleared away and flushed down the loo: it had to be catalogued, registered as a “critical incident” and scooped into a stool pot for further examination. Kim, who had just returned to nursing, was so frustrated by the whole experience she slipped into the patients' toilet, put a condom over the sprinkler and lit up a crafty fag.

This truly was healthcare at its least glamorous. Later, when one of the patients quietly passed away on her 82nd birthday, the staff went through her personal effects. After pocketing a family bag of Starburst, Kim and Den then tucked into the birthday cake the woman's sister had delivered later in the day. Meanwhile, the other patients muttered incomprehensibly to themselves, or stared sadly in the middle distance.

Directed by Oscar winner Peter Capaldi, Getting On had the ruthlessly realistic documentary feel of The Office and dialogue that sounded improvised rather than scripted. The performances were sharp and convincing, with Jo Brand deserving special mention. Then again, she used to be a nurse before turning to comedy, so presumably the role didn't stretch her acting skills too far.

Picture: BBC

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Comments

[Joanne Orton]

Well done, I have not laughed so much. Please do more. You have hit the nail on the head about the true nhs through black comedy well done

[Tonywida]

This was superbly written. Such economy. The Peter Capaldi doctor gets off with the pretty Asian psychiatrist in a five-second exchange of looks, and what man wouldn't? And Jo Brand. How many lines? Twenty? But all of them gems. There must be more than three in the series.

[buster]

'Brilliant' As a nurse with 10years experience I feel I know all the characters personally. They all do their best but they've seen it all so many times before and just accept the inevitability of the situation. A similar work situation comedy to 'The Office' and we all know how successful that became.

[Frances Ball]

Speaking as a nurse, I thought the show was tragically hilarious. Of all the programmes that have ever been based around hospitals this one comes sadly the closest to reality, in terms of sentiments. If I could write, this is exactly the kind of material I would imagine coming up with. There are so many contrasting emotions in these environments, there is the pain and suffering, but there is also the banality of red tape and reality of working with flawed human beings, who are very much caught up in there own world.

looking forward to next episode

[Ann]

I watched Getting On it was disgusting I nursed old ladies
over 50years ago and things were not perfect but our old ladies were happier than thoes old ladies I saw it as more a sendup of the NHS I did not see anything to laugh at about the old ladies may be that is because I am now an old lady Hope you will be one day

[Janet]

Haven't laughed so much for ages. Can't wait for next episode.

[Betsy]

A real gem. Anyone who has ever been in hospital will recognise the insincere, forced smile of the consultant as they loom over you. I am really looking forward to the rest of the series

[Misterjf]

Really enjoyed last nights show. The central characters really complimented each other, where Joanna Scanlan may have had the majority of the lines, Jo remains amusing with her bodily attitude !

It was well filmed and whilst laughs were some time coming, there was no need for canned laughter to prompt on some great moments.

Its a big shame that it was slightly hidden within the schedules and that next week we'll need to wait another half an hour.

Great stuff and thanks to all.