TOP PICK
I fell in love with this show right away. It was just so cute. But that doesn’t make it unfunny. It’s very funny.
As our story begins, Gavin Shipman and Stacey West have been having a long-distance, phone romance for six months. She lives in Wales and he lives on the other side of England in Essex. They have yet to meet, but once they do, their relationship launches like a rocket and by the end of the first season, a mere six episodes, they’re married.
Like I’ve said about a lot of shows, US and UK both, if I care about the characters, I care about the show and want to watch more. And what makes this show so much fun to
watch is the eclectic cast of characters and how they interact with each other.
There’s Stacey’s best mate Nessa, a big girl with a very colorful past, and Gavin’s best mate, Smithy, a big guy who can down a pint of lager in record time. As much as Gavin and Stacey like each other, that’s about how much Nessa and Smithy don’t like each other. But that doesn’t keep them from having a one-night stand that results in a big surprise.
Gavin’s mother, Pamela, is also a hoot. Due to a misunderstanding, she spends most of the series pretending to be a vegetarian.
But my favorite character is Stacey’s Uncle Bryn. He thinks he’s the cool uncle, but he’s not. One of his best scenes is when he’s explaining the concept of 
internet maps to Gavin. Since his brother Trevor’s death, Bryn has become a father figure to Stacey and a good friend to Stacey’s mother, Gwen.
The BAFTA award-winning series was created by co-stars Ruth Jones (Nessa) and James Corden (Smithy). They’ve written a show that’s heart-warming, fall down funny, sometimes melodramatic, but always entertaining. I’ve even added a few words and phrases from the show into my vocabulary. Instead of saying something is “cool” or “awesome,” say “tidy” or “lush.” And instead of asking somebody, “What’s up?” Ask, “What’s occurin’?”
This show combines great storytelling, likeable characters, and a fantastic cast. Who could ask for more?
MAIN CAST:
Mathew Horne – Gavin Shipman
Joanna Page – Stacey West
James Corden – Neil “Smithy” Smith
Ruth Jones – Nessa Jenkins
Alison Steadman – Pam Shipman
Larry Lamb – Michael “Mick” Shipman
Rob Brydon – Uncle Bryn
Melanie Walters – Gwen West
Total Seasons: 3 (20 episodes)
Seasons Available on US Formatted DVD: 3
In Production: 2007-2010
Viewer Discretion: Some adult situations and language
Catherine Tate’s collection of ridiculous, eccentric characters has earned her six BAFTA nominations and two British Comedy Awards, including Best Comedy Newcomer in 2004 and Best TV Comedy Actress in 2006.
