Rose-tinted (beer) glasses
I recalled Hot Metal as being a hilarious parody of muck-raking gutter journalism in the UK. At least my recollection wasn't wholly misplaced. But, now it's been released to DVD, it's not as funny as I remembered, which may be related to it having been aired after I would've returned from the pub. I've either grown up, or sobered up, since then.
I only remember the first series, and after watching it, it's clear that I missed the second when it was aired. The first starred Geoffrey Palmer as Harry Stringer, the foil to Robert Hardy's scene-chewing double act as Twiggy Rathbone, proprietor of The Crucible, and its editor Russell Spam. All of the performances are suitable for the characters played, especially Richard Kane as ultrasleazoid, Greg Kettle.
The second series loses many of the original cast and replaces them with lesser characters. Hardy and Kane are still there. But Palmer is replaced by Richard Wilson. If you think everything Wilson touches is comedic gold, then you're in for a treat. Personally, I cannot abide him. And the stories seem weaker than those in series one, which is saying something.
I've often thought about this series over the years, perhaps building up the comedic brilliance in my fevered imagination. I would be tempted to throw the discs away, but fear that I might buy it again in twenty years means I shall keep them, if only as a reminder.
In a fit of nostalgia, I also bought Whoops Apocalypse at the same time. I've yet to see it. I hope I'm not going to be similarly disappointed.
3/5