Movielover Truth This showed up on netflix recently, and I watched the first season.The show started out reasonably funny, a decent plot concept, but then, pretty much moved away from the original theme of book group, discussing books and meeting friends to how many different types of sexual behaviour can we put in a TV series? What did it miss other than bestiality?infidelity - everyone's cheating on everyone (dark humor? uh, no)bisexuality - not only is everyone cheating on everyone, but cheating with both sexes, woohoo! so "progressive"group sexswapping partnersgratuitous sexgay football player sex (whatever), but yeah, football players seem to be heavy in the marrying women as a front, and cheating on other men and women. yeah, okay.party timeI watched this show because I also liked the Green Wing actress, and recognized the lead female from the old House series.Sex in place of humor? yea And, it's not even that funny.Can't write a good script? Character development? Just go for gratuitous sex, of all kinds. That will keep them hooked...Dumb show. Too bad. It started out well.

copperncherrio Not all British comedies are great, but the seasons are short! So there was ample time to watch all of it and judge it harshly. I only wanted to watch this because one of my favorite characters/actress from Green Wing is in this (Michelle Gomez).However, this just turned out to be a complete disappointment. There was only 1-2 likable characters, and the plot was overly disappointing. Some scenes were way over drawn. And the "cold hearted bitch" (also known as Wilson' dead girlfriend) from House was the leading character. There was no coherent love lines or interpersonal relationship.There were a few good lines and scene, but I was sorely disappointed. The writing is haphazard and the characters are randomly underdeveloped. Apparently there are failing shows in ever country, even in England. Sadness abounds. I HATE LIFE sometimes.SORE DISAPPOINTMENT.

dr_salter Hey! I have been sitting watching the TV series "The Book Group" (2002) & thinking how much I love their sarcasm & wit. And now I have found that Annie Griffin directed an earlier series "Coming Soon" (1999) and 'The Book Group' (2002-3). Both series have that same brew of almost reality, where life is acted out through the comedic antics of the winners & losers within the screenplay.The tone of truly delightful, witty sarcasm and creamy cutting wit is the thing that I unwittingly connected with in both series, and it is the characters in 'Coming Soon' (1999) & The Book Group's characters' continuous unveiling of how they try to remain true to themselves, & FAIL GLORIOUSLY that brings out what I love about the two series. Gradually, we begin to get an idea of what is behind the characters' closed doors and understand that there could be a tenuous connection to what most people consider 'normal' but within these people there are many shades and depth of how we all try to connect with reality, maybe miss the mark, then struggle, but move onwards & upwards.You know I did not know till I checked IMDb! that "The Book Group' was connected to my old favourite series "Coming Soon". AND here it is! Sorry about all the exclamation marks !!! but I am SO elated to find Annie Griffin's gooey, blueberry coated finger in both wonderfully told tales of Scottish (Glasgow) extremist, eccentric behaviours. "The Book Group" brings us the great work of Derek Riddell as Rab: taciturn tracksuit wearer, who reveals little about himself, has stubble, and literally loves footballers. The wonderful James Lance (from TV's 'Absolute Power') as Barney Glendenning- pretentious, opinionated post-graduate student with blonde highlights & drug problem. Karen Kilgariff as Jean Pettengill Claire's awful, overbearing older sister, who arrives in Glasgow wanting to share Claire's exciting lifestyle and Rory McCann as the wheelchair bound Kenny. James Lance also plays Lachlan Glendenning- pretentious, bearded, bespectacled brother of Barney, who claims to be an installation artist. Their lives are wonderfully wacky and I recommend you all try to find them on DVD & see how great both series really are.

makka roni One of the funniest shows I have seen. The characters aren't likable nor are they particularly realistic. But the show still got me hooked. When I moved away from england, i truly missed it. All the sarcasm and black humor in it are so hilarious. but only because it seems so sad.. it somehow makes it funny! This show might not find much viewers in America as its humor is not obvious to everyone and it does take some commitment to watch it because the storyline does evolve (although nothing much happens!)I just had such a laugh, when seeing the American coming to Scotland and being so lonely she starts to meet up with people she doesn't even like and ends up not being so negative about Scotland after all. i definitely enjoyed it