Moone Over Ireland
Chris O'Dowd as Sean and David Rawle as Martin.
While our annual Great Britcom Vote gives WILL-TV viewers the chance to select a favorite British comedy for our schedule, it also allows me to test-drive some new shows. The winner of our last Vote was old standard The Vicar of Dibley (returning this January), but I was charmed by a relative newcomer, the coming-of-age misadventures of Moone Boy.
Strictly speaking, Moone Boy is an Irish comedy (Ircom?). It’s a semi-autobiographical story co-written by comedian Chris O’Dowd, whom U.S. audiences may recognize from the hit film Bridesmaids. O’Dowd plays Sean, the imaginary friend of 11-year-old Martin Moone. With Sean’s fitfully helpful advice, Martin navigates the perils of growing up.
It puts me in mind of the classic holiday film A Christmas Story, with less Ovaltine and more men in woolen knit caps. It’s nostalgic without overlooking that childhood can be a time of overblown traumas and ridiculous schemes.
Moone Boy joins the Britcom Saturday Night schedule on November 8 at 8:30 pm, following As Time Goes By. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do!