Yes, I'm old ... 71, and I love detective series. I long for more "Vera", "Midsomer Murders," etc. I've watched all of Wallander (3 versions), Foyle's War, Endeavour, Morse, Lewis, Vera, etc. All good ... but I find the newer series are becoming very dark with way toooooo much exploitive & gruesome reality. I am an intelligent woman and I don't need every gruesome detail discussed and shown on the screen. I'm finding the current world reality quite gruesome enough and need some levity ... but GOOD acting and writing for comedy is hard to come by. I found "Kate & Koji" really fun to watch. I was sad when each episode ended. Refreshing characters and, of course, Brenda Blethyn! Just hope there are more seasons and more series like it.
60 Reviews
The Odd Couple
ygwerin122 October 2020
Just stumbled upon this on ITV Hub
in skimming the TV schedules recently, the thought suddenly dawned on me where are the new comedies on ITV?
For all intents and purposes ITV seemed to have given up on comedy in return, for perpetual cheap tat like 'Reality TV'.
I simply love Brenda Blethin she is one of my favourite British actresses, absolutely superlative in everything she turns her hands to.
It's nice to see Barbara Flynn in anything I still fancy her rotten, and yes as far as I'm concerned she's certainly got it. I remember her mainly from the Beiderbecke series, with James Bolam. As well as Cracker with Robbie Coltrane, where she is his long suffering spouse.
I don't know Jimmy Akingbola in deed I have never heard of him, having really enjoyed watching him in this comedy he certainly deserves to be well known. His character of restrained pedantry is well observed, delivered and very funny, many so called comics could learn from him.
The script is written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins the same blokes who wrote, one of my absolute favourite TV comedies Drop the Dead Donkey.
I really like this comedy show and I hope it gets more than 1 Series, it certainly deserves to run on much longer. I have just seen online that indeed it's getting a 2nd Series which is brilliant news.
For all intents and purposes ITV seemed to have given up on comedy in return, for perpetual cheap tat like 'Reality TV'.
I simply love Brenda Blethin she is one of my favourite British actresses, absolutely superlative in everything she turns her hands to.
It's nice to see Barbara Flynn in anything I still fancy her rotten, and yes as far as I'm concerned she's certainly got it. I remember her mainly from the Beiderbecke series, with James Bolam. As well as Cracker with Robbie Coltrane, where she is his long suffering spouse.
I don't know Jimmy Akingbola in deed I have never heard of him, having really enjoyed watching him in this comedy he certainly deserves to be well known. His character of restrained pedantry is well observed, delivered and very funny, many so called comics could learn from him.
The script is written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins the same blokes who wrote, one of my absolute favourite TV comedies Drop the Dead Donkey.
I really like this comedy show and I hope it gets more than 1 Series, it certainly deserves to run on much longer. I have just seen online that indeed it's getting a 2nd Series which is brilliant news.
Very refreshing comedy.
Sleepin_Dragon25 March 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was a refreshing change in humour. We've had years of dumbed down humour, this was a lot more like it, cutting, sarcastic, and humour that was very much on point.
Blethyn was cracking as Kate, such a change in character from Vera, shows what a damn good actress she is.
A few jokes about The BBC.
Will it last more than just a single series? I do hop so. 8/10.
Blethyn was cracking as Kate, such a change in character from Vera, shows what a damn good actress she is.
A few jokes about The BBC.
Will it last more than just a single series? I do hop so. 8/10.
Love it
f-bosanquet15 April 2020
Not sure why people aren't enjoying this show it's funny it's politically incorrect so how can it go wrong. It's spot on with what is going on in society today, the characters are great. Brenda Blythe at her best. Hope it gets a second season.
Delightful!
ronaldalamascus-9050617 May 2022
We have really enjoyed the first two seasons of K&K although it took awhile to warm up to the "new" Koji. The actor is much better in the last couple of episodes but lacks the dry wit and sarcasm of Jimmy. Granted this is just silly slapstick and you might even say, predictable most of the time however the writers are definitely playing to the strengths of the actors and it is pretty much confined to one small cafe. Not the best comedy on tv but certainly entertaining.
It's not lying, if it is texting!
Sylviastel16 April 2021
Brenda Blethyn OBE should be awarded damehood eventually. She has become a National treasure as detective Vera and now Kate who runs a seaside cafe in a dying seaside resort. Koji is an African asylum seeker and a doctor. He can't work while he is seeking asylum. Kate and Koji work out an agreement. The sitcom premise needs a little work but I did miss British comedies like this one. Too bad, they only have six episodes for one season. I wish they were longer seasons. A good supporting cast makes it worthwhile. It's a must for Blethyn fans.
Pretty good comedy
carlottaeland12 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I love Brenda Blethyn. I am a bit disappointed that they changed actors for Koji. The new one is just not as good. Other than that change, the show is continuing as it began. Just a light hearted comedy. Something we need in these times.
A good simple old fashioned warm hearted sit-com
DoctorThotcer13 April 2020
Kate is an older hot headed uncompromising cafe owner who dislikes change, doesn't really understand the modern world and doesn't really want to, and Koji is a dignified African gentleman who is seeking asylum, and also a Doctor. At first they don't get along but as he is desperate for food, drink and a warm place to be, and Kate needs to attract customers, they reluctantly find compromises, and character driven amusement ensues.
There are many other background characters, most follow fairly simple archetypes making it easy to get into, and it's definitely aimed at an older audience as it's basically old fashioned 70s style humour, just set in the modern world.
Oh and the lefty papers hate it with a passion as much as they hate Mrs Brown's Boys and for all the same reasons, so if you like that, check it out.
There are many other background characters, most follow fairly simple archetypes making it easy to get into, and it's definitely aimed at an older audience as it's basically old fashioned 70s style humour, just set in the modern world.
Oh and the lefty papers hate it with a passion as much as they hate Mrs Brown's Boys and for all the same reasons, so if you like that, check it out.
Better than most current "comedy".
ronaldalamascus-9050624 April 2021
This show has it's moments. The reviews either seem to be very, very bad or very, very good but I am somewhere in between. My rating reflects the attempt to at least make a show other than murder and mayhem and utilizes very good cast to do so. Much of it is predictable and of course some of the situations are just dumb, but overall it's at least funny and lighthearted in an acerbic way particularly against the "woke" idiots of today. Koji is the perfect foil for Kate's quirkiness and Medium a good go between the two main characters. I doubt highly that there will be a second season.
Irritating canned laughter
katy34419 March 2020
Very funny but it won't last
omnipotentbill3 April 2020
I found this very funny. The main character (Kate) is similar to Barbara (1990's series stating Gwen Taylor) and if you liked that then you'll like this. Probably also appeal to people who found the excellent Dinner Ladies funny as it is a similar sort of humour.
You would expect Brenda Blethyn to be good but she is more Vera than Alison Little (Chance in a Million - also an excellent comedy). But Jimmy Akingbola who I've never seen before is excellent in his deadpan delivery and Blake Harrison has managed to get away from the terrible Inbetweeners to be good in this show.
One reviewer actually said this was "borderline racist". Good grief - it is exactly the opposite of that.
However I can't see how the plot can develop and so I expect one (or maybe two) series.
You would expect Brenda Blethyn to be good but she is more Vera than Alison Little (Chance in a Million - also an excellent comedy). But Jimmy Akingbola who I've never seen before is excellent in his deadpan delivery and Blake Harrison has managed to get away from the terrible Inbetweeners to be good in this show.
One reviewer actually said this was "borderline racist". Good grief - it is exactly the opposite of that.
However I can't see how the plot can develop and so I expect one (or maybe two) series.
A new low in British sitcom
peterrichboy22 March 2020
I noticed that 3 reviewers have given this show 10/10. That means they rate this ITV sitcom in the same league as Fawlty towers, Porridge and The Office in terms of British sitcoms. Really? I am really struggling to find the words to describe how unfunny this sitcom is. From the opening episode from what I can gather the on running joke is an asylum seeking doctor who spends all day in a run down seaside cafe. In return for giving free medical advice (do we not already have the NHS for that?) the said Doctor gets a free tea and a full English breakfast........ Hilarious.
How on earth is that going to play out over six episodes? The characters are totally unbelievable the storyline is utterly impossible and is almost borderline racist.
2/10
A comedy? On ITV? yes.
chris-8335925 May 2020
Rising Damp... The list stops there. Even the list of 30 best TV comedy characters, broadcast last night, stopped at Rigsby as far as "The other side" was concerned. I am not saying for a second that this will alter many opinions or disturb that top 30. BUT it is rather funny. The writers have previous and Brenda Blethyn is worth a watch (in the style of Sarah Lancashire, David Tennant and Nicola Walker being "Worth a watch") she will not let you down.
The premise is good, and the single location whilst limiting in some respects allows for a revolving cast coming and going. I get the similarities between this and Count Arthur Strong, which I found to be utterly brilliant so no problem there. I could watch Barbara Flynn reading the 'phone book as she is just a lovely human.... playing agin type in this show as she is the counterpoint against which the cafe owner rails. Ever since I first saw her in A Very Peculiar Practice back in the day she has epitomized beauty. So for a first series it is very promising. I can't understand those saying they can't see it running beyond two series (using that number as an intended insult).... I can name lots of the funniest UK shows ever than didn't run to more than twenty shows and some of the biggest piles of rubbish that can run to 60 or 70. So enjoy it for what it is, a quality ITV show with some very funny lines and some very (extremely) talented actors. A final word on Jimmy Akingbola, superb. Once the characters gain traction it will build on a promising start.
lost in cultural translation
howboutthisone_huh28 September 2021
Maybe this is the type of humor that brits enjoy but it ranks too high on the cringeometer to be enjoyable for me. Watching Ms. Blethyn in this is like watching a triple crown winning thoroughbred pulling a plow. Ok, not quite apt but the closest I can think of is watching some show where the main character has a dream sequence where they're the star of some terrible 70s american sitcom, with fake laugh track, only in this case, it's no dream. If that's what they were going for, they're spot on.
I love Brenda Blethyn
smartU215 April 2021
This show allows everything of Brenda Blethyn that you find untouchable in Vera. She's really funny and has very good timing and delivery. Jimmy Akingbola offers a wonder foil for her shtick and she for his. There characters are a charming and timely creation for modern social concerns. Enjoy!
O... M... G...
neumana27 March 2020
I have rarely seen anything so dreadful.
The setup and decor send us right back to the 60's... but this is nor Steptoe and Son, nor Are You Being Served, nor even On the Buses...
Apart from a few satirical digs, the dialogue is a series of unfunny one-liners delivered by unbelievable characters manifestly invented as vehicles for the aforesaid rare piques.
Two episodes in, there is no sign of improvement.
Watch it at your peril.
The setup and decor send us right back to the 60's... but this is nor Steptoe and Son, nor Are You Being Served, nor even On the Buses...
Apart from a few satirical digs, the dialogue is a series of unfunny one-liners delivered by unbelievable characters manifestly invented as vehicles for the aforesaid rare piques.
Two episodes in, there is no sign of improvement.
Watch it at your peril.
Much better than expected
rufust-47 October 2023
Had low expectations for this given such a long line of poor recent British "comedies", but after a slow first episode this continued to improve as the first series progressed.
The humour is not afraid to address tricky issues, and the main character is believable and brilliantly played by Blethyn. So nice to have a live audience laughter track included and a proper sitcom instead of yet another boring mockumentary.
The side characters are fairly simple but are well played by familiar faces.
There is nothing groundbreaking here, but it's enjoyable and worth it simply for the interaction between Kath & Koji.
The humour is not afraid to address tricky issues, and the main character is believable and brilliantly played by Blethyn. So nice to have a live audience laughter track included and a proper sitcom instead of yet another boring mockumentary.
The side characters are fairly simple but are well played by familiar faces.
There is nothing groundbreaking here, but it's enjoyable and worth it simply for the interaction between Kath & Koji.
Just finished series 1 on Britbox - We want more!
searchersd14 June 2021
We enjoyed this immensely. Great comedy. Loved Brenda Blethlyn and Jimmy Akingbola, his facial expressions were often enough for us to hear Koji's thoughts, speech unnecessary. A wonderful portrayal. As far as the storyline goes, things seem to have been wrapped up quite a bit at the end of episode 6. Writers will have to be creative to keep things interesting for season 2.
Bring back Jimmy as Koji
hans1791-682-99224114 May 2022
Loved the first season but the second just doesn't have the same pop without Jimmy Akingbola playing Koji. The chemistry is not there between him and Kate. Still mildly entertaining but season 2 does not hold a candle to season 1. Get Jimmy back and this show will take off again.
Brilliant!
lizs128919 March 2020
It's been a long time since I laughed out loud at anything on the TV (I'm a tough audience) but this had me laughing from the start, most unusual for the first episode of a series - they usually take a while to bed in. Brenda Blethyn is great in all she undertakes and this reminds me of Mim in Outside Edge. Please give it go and if you don't like it, just change the channel :-)
I wanted to like this. Sadly I didn't
studioAT19 March 2020
Well done and thank you to ITV for trying to keep the multi-camera studio audience sitcom alive. We need comedy in the current climate, and the sitcom is an art form when done right.
Sadly they've done what they normally do.
They've backed writers who haven't done much lately, thrown in a big name (Brenda Blethyn, who deserves better) and hoped for the best.
It hasn't paid off. It tries hard, too hard, and there's some nice lines in it, but this surely won't in years to come be spoken about when the best comedies ever are being discussed.
So nice effort ITV, but please, do keep trying.
Sadly they've done what they normally do.
They've backed writers who haven't done much lately, thrown in a big name (Brenda Blethyn, who deserves better) and hoped for the best.
It hasn't paid off. It tries hard, too hard, and there's some nice lines in it, but this surely won't in years to come be spoken about when the best comedies ever are being discussed.
So nice effort ITV, but please, do keep trying.
Hilarious
mike-loveridge18 March 2020
Solid Comedy
joe1236119 March 2020
I liked the premise and think this sit-com has a lot of promise. Am a big fan of Brenda Blethyn; I've never seen the actor who plays Koji in action before, but he is superb. In fact, all characters are played well. Obviously Kate is very crotchety; I'm assuming we eventually get to find out more of her backstory as to why. I also like that they've (maybe deliberately and intentionally) seemingly limited themselves to the "caff" (or caff-ay) setting. In this respect, it's more like porridge than fools and horses. Amazing what you can do with limitations however, as it forces ingenuity and creativity to come to the fore, as "The Terminal", "Phone Booth", and "Buried" have all testified to. I think it's very clever the way the initial misunderstanding and misreading between Kate and Koji was set up (I'm guessing his original name was Kolo, but Koji does have a nicer ring to it - a bit like how oompa loompas were originally called whipple-scrumpets, which is good, but oompa loompas is better - Obviously from Kolo to Koji is not as drastic as that), but it's also nicely done that he is quite reticent and taciturn normally, as well as pleasant; until provoked, when he can become forceful when insulted, but always in a relatively dignified manner. His cheerful upbeatness and pleasant bearing contrasts well with the cafe owner, and this makes the whole thing work and be interesting for the audience. I look forward to the five remaining episodes; let's face it, we could probably most all of us do with a bit of light-hearted comedy relief over the next few weeks and months. Thank you to the writers and cast and crew for making this happen. All good comedy always touches the soul in the way no other genre ever can.
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