PhoneShop (2009–2013) User Reviews

If man say him a ting, then him a ting

[MUFCOK · 8/10 · 4 July 2013]

One word for this show.. Genius.

This may go missing if shown to an American audience, but for the UK viewers its very easy to relate to and absolutely hilarious!

Easy to relate too, everybody in the UK knows what phone salesmen are like, the people who make this show also do and bring it across perfectly.

The two characters Ashley and Jerwayne are top notch, the banter they have is hilarious. I can't help but feel they are the stars of the show and if they were not in it then it wouldn't be half as funny. Don't get me wrong, the rest of the cast is good and there are many funny moments, but Ashley and Jerwayne really do steal the show.

The one negative for me would be Kayvan Novak (the man from fonejacker). His character is awful, thankfully he's not in it much!

It has now been announced that series 3 is to be released later this year. Lets hope for more of the same!

Not what I expected

[nicolahall-58251 · 8/10 · 18 November 2019]

I never expected to like this show... Someone told me about it and I felt seriously Meh at the description! But when I finally sat down and watched it I was surprised by how awesome it is! It is witty and intelligent anf doesn't hold back on telling you the ways in which phone companies will rinse you for your money...

Ashley and Jerwayne are brilliant as the veteran sellers trying to give advice to New Man Christopher... Advice which always leads to a laugh as Christopher is the complete opposite of his colleagues!

Well worth the time to watch... A Hidden Gem

Not made for me, but.....

[beresfordjd · 9/10 · 24 August 2013]

Obviously this comedy series was not made for my demographic (60+ ) but I latched on to it right away. I just cannot believe how funny it can be. The characters Jerwayne and Ashley are the key to it all and are so well performed you almost believe they are really like that.Tom Bennett as the newby Christopher is perfect also as the innocent middle-class type entering into the big bad world of mobile phone sales. It is not fair to single these guys out though because all the cast perform really well and are hilarious in their own way. The language may well put some viewers off but it is a necessary part of the characters' rhythm of speech. Great writing, performing and staging make this show terrific. I just wish it was a hour (sic) long!!! A HOUR!!!

Endlessly funny

[rayvermagbd · 10/10 · 19 November 2018]

The only thing that depresses me about this show is that they didn't make more episodes. If peep show is tier 1, this would closely follow...

Phone shop just get's funnier and funnier!

[phill-470-620498 · 8/10 · 9 August 2013]

I agree with 'brianloughran55' review of this Channel 4 UK comedy series. People outside the UK, or London to be more precise would not understand much of the humor.

There is an accent in London now in the younger working class generation that is a mix of Jamaican, Cockney and Yardie and it sounds just like that of Lance's Phone Shop employee's! I have sat on the train many times and listened to these people babbling on and it seems the stronger the accent and lingo the more thick they tend to be.

Another thing is that if your just hearing and not seeing who is talking you would never be able to guess their ethnicity.

Still, these colorful characters always unwittingly put a smile on my face so don't worry if you forget the paper when boarding the Victoria to Folkestone train.

I recommend watching an episode from the new series called, 'Baking Bad'. Just total comedy genius!

Genius casting and acting

[tkns7616 · 10/10 · 16 November 2019]

Every character in this show is brilliantly cast. If you've ever worked in any sort of corporation, you will completely relate to these characters - every cringeworthy one of them. I've been waiting years to see series 3 and now it's back on c4, we're watching from the beginning again. So funny and so clever in equal measure.

Fantastic show

[brianloughran55 · 10/10 · 23 November 2011]

As the other reviewer has mentioned it may not be for people outside of the UKs taste, well i agree. Being from Ireland i must admit if I hadnt heard about this show and was flicking through the channels i more than likely would have kept going, but I am so glad i didn't give up on it as it is one of my favourite shows right now.

Each character is hilarious in their own way and each episode has a great plot where you genuinely want to know what happens, considering the show is 90% in a phone shop (obv) I was happily surprised by this.

The first episode i struggled with but after that it was top notch entertainment

A brilliant show and one that hopefully has a few more seasons in it!

Nice surreal and edgy comedy

[danielspink · 10/10 · 8 July 2011]

Phoneshop is a edgy and often hilarious black comedy. It has some very strong characters and some very surreal moments full of energy and often psychotic moments. Whilst superficially it appears to pander to a young demographic though slang and sexual references, don't let this put you off as it in fact has some very well written characters. I believe any fan of Green Wing or any Chris Morris production should check this out. The episode in which new boy Christopher has to go out into the street dressed in a bear costume stands out with some hilarious slapstick and surreal comedy moments, along with another episode in which various characters end up locked up in the basement. Can understand why people may not like it and also I guess the humor is very British so may not appeal to any non UK viewers. Glad to hear a second series has been commissioned.

Excellent.

Comedy Gold

[johnbvockings · 10/10 · 1 May 2021]

I'll start by saying I did not watch this until long after the final episode had aired. I knew about it long before that, but the thought of enduring those faux gangster accents which are now endemic in London for 30 minutes at a time was a step too far.

I can't for the life of me remember why I did eventually watch an episode, but I can only say thank God. The writing is brilliant and each episode is original and funny but it's the acting that elevates this. No performance is less than good and most far exceed that. The one off characters are little nuggets of gold (check out Rochelle played by Eleanour Lawrence) and the supporting characters Lance & Janine are scene stealers in their own right. The Oscar usually has to go to someone, but in this case it's impossible not to split it three ways. Ashley, Jerwayne & Christopher are three of the funniest I've seen in a long while and I truly believe will take their places alongside the Fletchers and Fawlty's of yesteryear. This was likely written with Ashley & Jerwayne as the stars, but Christopher is the Godber to their Fletcher and the Cybil to their Fawlty. They work great as a duo, but Christopher gives them that added something extra to bounce off and all three are better for it.

If you haven't watched it yet indulge me and give it a go - you will not regret it.

Just painful to watch

[jameshanky · 3/10 · 18 April 2022]

Barely made it through ep1. Why are people rating this so high? Not funny at all. Almost every character is just annoying and completely unlikable. Save your time and watch the IT Crowd instead, now that is a funny show.

Hilarious, laugh out loud comedy

[green_kerry · 10/10 · 12 March 2018]

Superb, one of the best laugh out loud series for a long time. On par with Fresh Meat, which is also hilarious. Each character in Phone Shop is dealing with their own individual issues, which is the focus of the show. The only thing they have in common is their Boss, Razzy P, who is a typical shiny salesman. Deffo worth a watch. Worth the 10 star rating

Genius

[zoecole · 10/10 · 8 March 2013]

I love this show, being from Sutton myself I find it incredibly funny. Like the other 2 reviews if you're not British u will not get it. The shop is genuine and has moved from it's original site. It is fun to wander past during filming although they do get a few directions wrong.

It is wet your pants laughing funny, some of it accurate, some of it not, and it is a somewhat genuine reflection of Sutton when you have to wander in a phone shop and but one of the best comedy series I have seen in a long time.

Series 1 best by far but hurry up and release series 3!

teddy****spin teddy****spin!

Bloody Hilarious

[Greenivy420 · 10/10 · 13 January 2021]

There will never be another show like this one, sad that they ended it so soon... had so much potential!!

Excellent comedy, hugely underrated

[rm-griffiths82 · 9/10 · 3 June 2021]

Been watching Phone Shop again, it is so funny and edgy but at the same time does not take itself seriously at all. Brilliant comedy acting and timing from the main cast, particularly Ash, Jerwayne and Christopher. Bring this series back please channel four!!!

Wha gwan.... NEWMAN !!

[lillywhite-94671 · 8/10 · 17 July 2021]

Stumbled across this by accident a few years back and very glad I did.

Clearly written by someone with experience in retail or sales.

I worked in mobile phone retail in London from 1998-2002. My first job when I left Uni - so absolutely relate to Christopher.

Trust me when I say some of the language and situations (inter branch rivalries etc) are bang on !!!

So many dodgy salesmen - there were at least 3 or 4 Razz Prince characters.

So many LOL moments in each episode

[joshstringer · 10/10 · 27 March 2021]

It's rare to find a sitcom with so many actual laugh out loud moments/scenes within each episode these days. Each episode contains some iconic phrases or lines that will stick with you.

A very underrated comedy

[craiggatt-72170 · 8/10 · 17 May 2021]

Every now and then a comedy goes under the radar and doesn't get the credit it deserves. Phoneshop falls under that category. It might not be the greatest comedy ever but its very good. The main cast are all superb and all have great timing. A lot of the scenes are ad libbed which is even more of a testament to how good the comedy acting is, especially tom bennett who plays Christopher who jails a very awkward line. Ashley and jerwayne are played to perfection as 2 over confident phones salesman. Some people might not like the Razz Prince character but I think kayvan novak nails it. As said in other reviews this might not translate as well to audiences outside the UK but I personally think its superb.