TV review: Vicious, The Job Lot

It is good to know that ITV has come up with a perfect cure - in not one, but two refreshing new comedies.

Bickering luvvy pensioners and a jobsworth staff member at the labour exchange are hardly the first catalysts to laughter you would dream of, yet the cast and crew of both shows seem to have struck comedy gold. First up was Vicious.

From fleshing out Tolkien's Gandalf the Grey, to breathing power into Magneto, nemesis of Marvel's X-Men, Sir Ian McKellen is used to performing on a grand scale for cinema audiences.

McKellen is a god of stage and screen, a man who commands such respect the writers at Coronation Street crafted a part for him to play upon his request. Last night he returned to the small screen as Freddie, long term 'special friend' and partner of Stuart, portrayed by another acting veteran, Sir Derek Jacobi. Freddie and Stuart have been partners for almost half a century and it is possible that the antagonising has lasted the same length of time.

From the camp intro music provided by 1980s pop icons The Communards, it was clear that this was going to be very much a tongue-in-cheek affair. And the dialogue was as vicious as the title hinted at.

For those who didn't see the cracking first episode, imagine if you will Ade Edmondson and Rik Mayall's comedy series Bottom, blended with a hint of Rising Damp and a liberal dash of Graham Norton and you'll be getting there.

"I only hope his flesh didn't rot off where you touched him," snaps Stuart referring to Freddie's attempts to chat up a neighbour. "I'm surprised you could see it through the milky film that coats your cataracts," retorts Freddie with bile. It was clear the two aged stars were in their element, hamming it up to the cameras in roles that were probably closer to their true selves than any former grandiose parts.

Accompanied by young neighbour Ash (Iwhan Rheon) and nosy friend Frances de la Tour, the action – which primarily takes place in Freddie and Stuart's lounge – is sharp and beautifully timed. It all looks like a superb stage production. Indeed it will transfer effortlessly to the stage. But Sir Ian's commitment to the ongoing Hobbit series of films could prevent that.

For now though, Middle-Earth's loss is Monday night's gain. Rest well Gandalf the Grey, hello Gandalf the Gay.

Following straight on the high heels of Vicious, The Job Lot brings together a fabulous collective, with Job Centre staff as acutely observed as anything seen in Ricky Gervais' Office. Neurotic Trish, David Brent's equal in oh-so-many ways is played by Sarah Hadland.

Perhaps best known as co-star to Miranda Hart in the comedy series Miranda, Hadland is the boss with no control – least of all of herself. Her pursuit of young office worker Karl (Russell Tovey) is relentless.

Karl is fed up working at the Job Centre. His youthful ambitions need to be fulfilled and that isn't going to happen in the fictional employment service, set in the made up West Midlands' town of Brownall.

Best of all is Angela, a sour by-the-book 'adviser' who has returned to work having been sacked for her attitude and behaviour. Reinstated following an industrial tribunal, it is clear nothing will change her ways.

Played by Jo Enright, Angela is an actor's dream character and will doubtlessly become a firm favourite with the masses.

Angela's character is defined in the first few minutes. As Trish tries to open the office to the waiting job hunters Angela refuses to let her. "It's nearly nine," exclaims Trish pointing to her watch. "I don't get paid from nearly nine," barks Angela. We've all met the like before.

The main cast is fantastic, but the beauty of this show is the endless possibilities for unexpected cameos. On the evidence of this first instalment, actors will be queuing up at the job centre. Well, you know what I mean.

Paul Naylor