Mitchell and Webb return for new comedy sketch show but fans are divided
Veteran comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb are set to make their sketch show later this year, though a preview has divided audiences. Fans remain uncertain about what to expect from the Channel 4 programme, following an airport-themed sketch that the broadcaster shared across social media platforms.
Whilst viewers were delighted to witness the return of the seasoned sketch show duo, known for Bruiser and That Mitchell and Webb Look, many were left hoping the material improves from here. Others were thoroughly entertained by the sketch, describing it as both hilariously funny and a remarkably accurate, albeit comedically exaggerated, portrayal of airport customs and security procedures.
A discussion on the r/BritishTV Reddit forum saw supporters expressing their enthusiasm, with many celebrating the revival of sketch comedy from the Peep Show stars.
One admirer of the piece commented: "It's nice to see sketch comedy returning!" Another contributed: "I enjoyed this sketch, there are some glum sods in this sub." A third remarked: "I don't know if this is funny or just depressingly accurate."
While some celebrated Mitchell and Webb's return to sketch comedy, others remained hopeful for more amusing material ahead.
One contributor observed: "Felt like Mitchell and Webb acting in a sketch written by Lee Mack and Catherine Tate."
Another expressed mixed reactions following the sketch, noting: "I'll be fair and say I did laugh at a couple of jokes in it, but it also felt very dated in terms of subject matter.
"Not saying every sketch has to be cutting edge, but it's weird to promote the show with a sketch that's basically the same as one that plenty of online sketch comedians have done before."
A third bluntly stated: "It was pretty unfunny and obvious."
The Peep Show duo confirmed their involvement in a fresh sketch programme, scheduled to air on Channel 4 later this year.
Their joint statement reads: "When Channel 4 asked us to do another sketch show we were startled, bemused and available.
"It's a perilous time for the industry and so it's our hope that relaunching the trickiest genre of comedy is a brilliant piece of counter intuitive commissioning.
"We're confident that unlike Roger Moore with his shoe on the bonnet of a car teetering on the edge of a cliff in For Your Eyes Only [REPLACE WITH 21ST CENTURY REFERENCE?] we're not about to give British TV comedy a final lethal nudge into the abyss."
This represents the pair's first comedic venture since Back, the Channel 4 dark comedy series which spanned two seasons.
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