The second series of Mammoth, an old-school sitcom from Welsh comedian Mike Bubbins, continues to offer a subversive thrill through its sharp send-up of modern mores. The show follows Tony Mammoth, a PE teacher frozen in an avalanche in 1979 and thawed out nearly 50 years later, as he navigates 2020s Britain with his outdated values intact.
Bubbins delivers an impeccably deadpan performance as the swaggering alpha male, whose unreconstructed views often hit a nerve. The comedy flows both ways: viewers laugh at Mammoth's outmoded tastes, but the show also finds humour in his bewilderment at contemporary life, from yoga retreats to alcohol-free beer. This balance gives the series a subversive edge.
In the new three-episode run, Mammoth continues to bond with his newfound family—daughter Mel (Sian Gibson) and grandson Theo (Joel Davison)—while causing chaos for fellow PE teacher Lucy. He dispenses terrible advice, like suggesting Theo take dexedrine to stay awake as a lifeguard, and nurses a 50-year grudge over a parking dispute.
The show's strength lies in its heartfelt obsession with the 1970s, from Cinzano deliveries to the Ford Capri (Bubbins' real car). However, supporting characters like Mel's shrill intensity can feel one-note, and some accents break the spell. Yet Mammoth's appeal rests firmly on Bubbins' shoulders, and the series remains a rare treat for those craving jokes about contemporary society.
