Vicious - Series 1 [DVD]

I've watched the current 4 episodes that have been aired of Vicious, and I thought they were brilliant. However, I've noticed that many people have mixed feelings and there are several things that people haven't been happy with. Of course, this is all just my opinion...The most prominent upset was about the joke whereby Violet thinks Ash is going to come out of the bathroom and rape her. I'll admit, I was a little shocked by the joke too. But people seem to have jumped to the conclusion that because Violet isn't "attractive", that is the reason why Freddie assures her "no-one wants to rape you". I disagree. I think it's more that Freddie doesn't immediately assume Ash to be capable of rape just because he is a young man. Violet is the one to jump to this conclusion, and I think Freddie's reassurance is more angled towards the fact that he doesn't immediately assume because Ash is male, he's going to run out of the bathroom and rape the first woman he sees.Yes, the rape joke was a bit startling, and I understand completely where some people are coming from in their analysis of the joke, but that's my take on it. I wouldn't disregard the show as a good programme just because of it.The second thing I noticed was people being angry that they sometimes refer to each other as "she". Now, I can understand why this irritates some people. The stereotype of women's behaviour when presented by men leading to them being given female pronouns is something that can be considered offensive. However, I know gay men who refer to themselves with female pronouns on occasion. So, to each their own on that front I guess. You have to remember, they're portraying two gay men, who probably would categorise certain behaviour as particularly feminine and thus refer to each other as "she". For example, when Stuart is upset by Freddie's harsh words and gives him the silent treatment. Also when Freddie feels threatened by Ash's success and acts in a more loving manner. They refer to each other as "she" because they are each acting in decidedly feminine ways according to them. And as a woman even I can admit, they're fairly accurate. I don't know any guys who use the silent treatment. But again, to each their own.The other offence people are taking is that the characters are very stereotypically gay. I agree wholeheartedly. Despite this, I think Stuart and Freddie are awesome characters. Freddie is a bit eccentric and talks with his hands a lot. This could be seen as a result of him being a gay man, or alternatively because he's an actor who has worked in theatre. Maybe he just talks with his hands. Stuart fits the stereotype a little more. His voice is occasionally high pitched and he does a lot of the stereotypical "gay" hand gestures.But some gay men ARE like Stuart and Freddie.I think the fact that the programme portrays two gay men as the protagonists, with the focus not primarily being on the fact that they're gay but two men who've been in a relationship for a long time should trump the fact that yes, they're a little flamboyant.But surely having a programme about two gay men who have been in a long term relationship and none of the typical "dead, evil, or unfaithful" characteristics have appeared, this should surely be deemed a success by the LGBT community?So many gay couples on TV don't have a chance to develop their relationship because one of them dies, or turns evil, or cheats on the other. This programme shows a faithful old couple, whose only negative trait is that they take the piss out of each other. But the love between them is evident. Vicious is showing us what an old gay couple can be like.It's hard to create gay characters that fit everyone's ideal since all gay people are different. So yes, this show has fallen into the stereotype a little, but that's better than nothing, right? And I don't think the two actors Sir Ian McKellen & Sir Derek Jacobi would play the roles of Freddie and Stuart if they felt they were damaging to the LGBT community.I think the show is awesome: it shows two men who've been together for a long time, acting like a relatively normal old couple. Obviously, certain things are exaggerated for entertainment, but if they weren't it wouldn't be interesting. But it presents us with the norms associated with a couple who have been together for a long time. I know my grandparents are similar.And I think THAT is the focus. The normalcy of an old couple. Not the fact that they're a bit stereotypical.If anything, I think this show is giving us something we've not seen before.

The media could not be loaded. A best buy u won't be disappointed

This is by far my most used TV series DVD. As a duo, McKellen and Jacobi are absolutely fantastic. From the very beginning, they are believable as a couple, lovable (and vicious, of course!) as characters and perfect in their comedy timing. Frances de la Tour is also fantastic. In fact, the entire cast seem perfect together, especially when all together on screen at once. I have read some reviews about people being offended or upset with some of the jokes or stereotypes included in the series, but personally I think the world just isn't as thick skinned as it used to be. The point of the series is to be comedic and entertaining and it absolutely succeeds with no insult made to the LGBTQIA+ community (of which I am a part of). After all, if such a thing was intended, I doubt McKellen or Jacobi would have taken part in the production since they are both part of said community! Overall, great for a giggle and easy watching.

My wife and I have been following this series since it started and we find it very funny.Vicious by name and Vicious by nature - the writing is sharp with superbly cutting jibes and vitriolic asides. What makes this so funny however is the quality of the cast - hearing Sir Ian McKellen say B****x for example - would be crude in the hands of a lesser actor. But the delivery from the two Knights is spot on and their timing is a lesson to all who want to work in comedy.The nature of the relationships gives this sitcom an old fashioned feel - I think I read a review in the newspaper that it was "made to be shown in the 70's". Although this was meant as a put down the 70's produced some of the best remembered sitcoms and this should go down as a classic!I am SO pleased that the PC brigade find this objectionable because it mirrors real life in some ways.I love this show and hope it gets another series!

ITV almost became a lost cause with the half hour situation comedy format - until Vicious came along. A lovely throwback, it works through two old friends (in real life) hamming it up to the max with venomous but very funny comments what makes the show work - along with a good supporting cast, particularly Francis de la Tour, who (almost) reprises her Miss Jones role from Rising Damp with sexual innuendo directed at a young next door neighbour.Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen play a gay, elderly couple, who have been together for nearly 50 years with the tensions around the edges clearly straining. They insult each other routinely in the epitome of a love/hate relationship, often sparked off by comments from the supporting cast or memories of clearly past glories. The insults are usually very pointed and either received with a straight face or, in a battle of oneupmanship, an even more acerbic reposte. It's a nice offset of the politically correct relationship marred with unpolitically correct comments. That these comments seem to get ever more vicious as the series progresses gives it it's name. Look forward to Series 2

Vicious was certainly an apt title for this series. Viciously Funny would be a good subtitle. This old couple are easy to hate and love at the same time and quite frankly, I wish I had friends like them -- there would never be a dull moment being amoungst them!It is easy to believe that McKellen and Jacobi have been together for 48/49 years, the interplay is so well done (and they being old friends didn't hurt the realism). The timing is perfect along with the looks and gestures. Costumes, sets and cast are all superb.Here in the "States", this would have been done with an idiotic laugh track (where the slightest thing causes *uproarious* laughter) whereas Vicious being filmed before a live audience adds so much more.I've had the DVD for three days and have watched the entire thing (including extras) three times (twice the first day!).I can't wait for series 2!

I absolutely love this show- such a gem, in every way. Was delivered on time and in great condition- thank you, Amazon! Ian and Derek are amazingly funny in this- I highly recommend it for solid laugh out loud comedy if you're having a down day. Recomnended a million times over! Same goes for Series 2. Every character is so well acted and unique. And wonderful!

Brilliantly funny and hilarious

I have bought the two seasons and couldn't stop laughing. All of them are incredible. And the dialogues are terrific. The season one is filmed like 80's sitcoms live with audience in the set, so you can also hear their laughter.The season two goes outside and keeps its spirit. It's a pure delight to watch.

La saison 1 d'une série complètement déjantée et avec des acteurs tout simplement fabuleux.A quand la version sous titrée en français

mi piacciono molto questi due attori in questo ruolo di coppia gay, sono spiritosi e crudeli quanto basta. Ho letto commenti negativi sullo stereotipo gay e sulla volgarità anche di altri personaggi, ma sinceramente trovo che ci si possa rilassare e riderci tranquillamente.