Changing Ends (2023– ) User Reviews

Stealing the show

[johnmcq-90049 · 9/10 · 15 June 2023]

Changing Ends is something of a nostalgic throwback on every level to a time when comedy was, well funny!

There have been many series set in an 80s childhood, and as I am the same age as Alan Carr I do enjoy this sort of thing. But this is funnier than Young Sheldon, perhaps less poignant but not without such moments.

The boy who plays young Alan steals the show however, he seems to be a genuine talent who might well go on to greater things. The rest of the cast, including Alan as his older self, are really just supporting actors. He hams it up a bit, just like the subject, but some scenes are almost tearful as well.

Of course there is an underlying theme of Alan fighting against, or maybe just shrugging off, prejudice, but mostly it is quite subtle, the script seems to assume intelligent viewers already understand what is going on, rather than having to spell it out to them as so many other series do these days.

Co-writer Simon Carlyle also writes 2 Doors Down, but this is his best yet. There isn't a high bar admittedly, but this is the best British comedy of 2023 so far.

The British Young Sheldon!?

[tfkpr · 9/10 · 18 June 2023]

As I live in Northamptonshire (and know how much Alan Carr has done for local charities and schools in villages like Overstone) I may be a little biased. That said, I think this is the best new British comedy in some time - I hope it gets more seasons as I can see it running and running like a UK version of Young Sheldon. The casting is superb, the mentions of Northampton are frightfully accurate (even if some names have been changed slightly to disguise locations like Weston Favell) and it's a super touch with Alan popping up in person rather than just a narrator. Young Alan is simply superb, love his mum and dad, and let's not forget brief appearances by Ray Purchase from Toast of London, Well, Well, Well!

20/10 Brilliant

[rick-45000 · 10/10 · 5 June 2023]

Extreamly Funny A lot of what i can relate to. Even though i am srait but in school i was extreamly feminate hated football and PE was made to do it .I remember one day getting onto my desk and doing impressions of animals to get laughs out of my class mates who where Bullies .But it worked It never made me popular but for that brief moment i had my class doubled with laughter .Its still made me no friends apart from one or two .. But i found having a sence of humer and using it gained me an advantage ,our school never had a drama class..We need more of this 26+27 mins is too short it needs more episodes like young sheldon 14+18 episodes not 6 could have watched more ..so Alan if you see this well done.

Brillant Brillant Brillant Brillant

[JBTV1991 · 10/10 · 11 July 2023]

The first episode sets up Alan as the perpetual outsider. Graham is embarrassed by his un-sporty son - "Everything this family has is down to sport," he says, though it looks as if the family line might stop with his eldest - and Ange won't let her son Charlie play with Alan any more. Less self-possessed children may have crumbled when faced with such disapproval, but what makes this series so lovely is that Alan is absolutely certain of who he is, and he refuses to be "normal" for anyone, whatever that means. He gives it a good go with football, not to please his dad, but to win back the friendship of Charlie. As an over-dramatic and not entirely graceful boy, it doesn't quite go to plan.

Football's loss is a comedy audience's gain, however, and this is relentlessly funny. In a clever twist, Alan is also embarrassed by Graham, particularly when he starts big school and he desperately attempts to cover up the fact that his dad is the Cobblers' maligned and unpopular manager. Both of them, it seems, are used to getting grief, but oddly enough, Alan seems much more capable of carrying it than his father. "To think my dad got his knickers in a twist because I liked country dancing," he says, as the footballers of Northampton Town share cigarettes in the communal bath.

A superb start

[chris-83359 · 10/10 · 22 November 2023]

There are two shows that this Alan Carr effort really remind me of.

This is a 1980s version of two 1970s classics. The Dudley based Grimleys that starred Amanda Holden, Brian Conley, James Bradshaw and the real star turn, Noddy Holder. Then there was the much too short lived and brilliant Cradle to Grave. Difficult to look past the tour de force that was Peter Kay, utter genius in C2G (ably abetted by the fantastic Lucy Speed).

Hopefully Changing ends gets a longer run than Cradle to Grave which was criminally short at 6 episodes.

We've obviously moved far enough away from the 1980s to be able to eulogise it in the way that Ashes to Ashes etc. Did for the 1970s.

Carr's personal intrusions are well timed and well written, particularly the Prince / George Michael gag (Too soon?)

There are little lines like "Touch my Blue Nun and you're out" which will resonate with anyone born late 1960s hitting the full force of 1980s UK naffness at the Beefeater with Prawn Cocktail and Black Forest Gateau.

The star of it all, Oliver Savell, does an excellent job portraying the young Carr and hopefully he will have the career he wants from this like Laurie Kynaston and James Bradshaw before him.

The soundtrack is excellent too. So all in all an excellent first series that doesn't drag or outstay its welcome. Here is to more...It would be good to take this to sixth form. So at least 3 more series please.

A brilliant comedy a must watch !!!

[chloegalley · 10/10 · 29 July 2023]

Changing ends is a 2023 British comedy for ITVX. It is a semi autobiographical series from comedian Alan Carr about growing up in Northampton during the 1980s, the son of a professional football manager. My mum was the one who told me to watch this as it was so good. OMG it was brilliant! The storyline was excellent I've not laughed that much, kind of sad in places. First episode was so good and continues through out. Oliver Savell is so perfect in playing a young Alan Carr he deserves award for his performance outstanding and incredible funny. In fact all the cast are good in playing their characters. Very well produced and directed. There don't do much comedies like there use to and changing ends is just so funny. You could watch them over and over again and would still be funny. To much gloom and doom on tv and very depressing stuff so it was nice to watch a light hearted very funny tv series. Changing ends consist of 1 series with 6 episodes and are going to make a 2nd series. Can't wait. If you like comedies then this a must watch it will certainly cheer you up. Best comedy I've seen in awhile. Don't go by the negative comments it's bloody fantastic. Sit back get comfy and get watching this very funny sitcom. It sure is a laugh 😊

Absolutely phenomenal, a trip back to the 80's and a star is born

[cjwcqmch · 10/10 · 27 July 2023]

Initially watched this for some real 80s nostalgia and this didn't disappoint. This soon became secondary to the absolutely phenomenal acting. This was a binge watch from the start, casting and acting is on another level mix this with a hilarious and sometimes sad story.

This really is a hidden gem and provides an insight into an amazing man. It's clear that Alan was always destined to be a star and I'm honoured that he shared his story with us and I'm sure he is proud of the amazing actors that brought his story to life.

The only problem is six episodes.. we need more.. I hope season two is coming soon and up the cobblers!

Was brilliant

[johnshirley-66090 · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

Was really good, very funny. The young boy who plays young Alan was amazing you would really think it was Alan as a young boy. Quite emotional at times, sad getting picked on at school that you would try not to be yourself. But it's definitely a good watch. Takes you back to the 80s so quite nostalgic. The mum and dad were very good aswell. A very good cast and storylines. I really hope there will be another series. I binge watched it very quickly definitely would like to see more. Think it will be a big success. Alan playing himself in it too and being the voice over was also very good. Gets thumbs up for me for sure.

'Changing Ends' shows that comedy has LEFT the building for ITV

[studioAT · 1/10 · 11 June 2023]

"Comedy is back in the building" chirp ITV in many very unfunny promos recently. This would imply that the network have a long and illustrious history of making comedy. I'm scratching my head, but I can't think of any big successes in the last twenty years. 'Benidorm' maybe...

These promo's don't mention also that half the comedy ITV are saying is "back in the building" is imported from the US ('30 Rock', 'Two and a Half Men') and they have done precious little to make their own.

Apart from this 'comedy', the idea of which the BBC turned down.

Alan Carr has been a square peg for ITV since they poached/were given him from Channel 4, and this show only indicates that this will continue.

It's not funny quite frankly, and Alan Carr's impression that he's a national treasure feels rather ill judged. He was funny back in the day, now not so.

Think of an unfunny 'Young Sheldon' or 'The Wonder Years' and you've got this show pegged.

Brilliant, subtle, endearing.

[scollins-99531 · 9/10 · 28 July 2023]

I absolutely love Alan Carr, so I was hoping for good things with this series - and, I got it!

The young lad who is playing a young Alan, is a very talented actor indeed. The comedic timing is perfect, and reminds me of good ol' classic British comedies.

A young Alan shows how important it is to be your true self... no matter how others may judge or perceive you to be. You were meant to be a star Alan!

Overall, this show is sweet, interesting, nostalgic, and full of known British actors. Binge worthy, and definitely the best series I've watched this year. Can't wait to see more! Do yourself a favour, and watch it! It won't disappoint.

Sitcom that understands comedic situations

[spellbindingcrashed · 8/10 · 8 July 2023]

Even if you don't like Alan Carr, it's likely you will like this very funny, on point sitcom with the stand up comedian taking us through semi-autobiographical moments in his life.

We see young Alan on his first day at school, being unexpectedly put on the football team (hilarious) faking sickness to avoid an injection (which leads to awkward but very believable bonding with dad) and all manor of japes that keep the audience hooked.

Carr's relationship with his family and few friends are nicely explored without being heavy handed and the humour is kept at an even pace, carefully balanced with tender / low moments but not too many to descend into melodrama.

Co-written by Carr, this show knows how to keep your attention with ideal casting all round, but Oliver Savell as the young Alan deserves particular praise for his stand out, star making performance. It would have been very easy for him to fall into caricature but somehow Savell manages to blend Carr's friendly campness and mix it with the real fears of a young boy as he tries to navigate the impending, uncharted teen years without going over the top and keeping the comedy this side of believable and engaging.

Well done to everyone involved.

Now, when is the second season coming out?