The second series of Funboys, a BBC sitcom about three hapless twentysomething friends from the fictional Northern Irish town of Ballymacnoose, returns with gleeful silliness and laugh-out-loud moments. The show, created by Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan, who also star as Jordan and Callum respectively, follows the trio along with their more level-headed friend Lorcan (Lee R James) and Lorcan's worldly girlfriend Gemma (Ele McKenzie).
A Satirical Take on Friendship and Melodrama
What sets Funboys apart is its mock-earnest tone, which satirizes the over-sentimentality of buddy comedies and teen dramas. The characters engage in melodramatic arguments, cheesy movie bombast, and ludicrous group hugs, all performed as if for a nonexistent audience. This self-aware silliness draws comparisons to works like Tim Robinson's Make That Movie and Jamie Demetriou's Stath Lets Flats.
Steve Coogan's Cameo
This season features a major cameo from Steve Coogan, who plays Phillip, the over-serious boss of a living history attraction where Callum works as a 19th-century peasant. The setup allows for more over-the-top melodrama as Coogan's character takes his role as a brutal land agent far too seriously, adding to the show's comedic layers.
Plot Highlights
In one storyline, Jordan learns about the Irish famine and develops belated empathy, deciding to donate his Family Guy DVDs to Namibian children and give away the family car. His friends must stage a flat bum contest to restore his ego. Meanwhile, sex is a primary preoccupation, with Jordan and Callum agonizingly close to losing their virginities, and Lorcan reluctantly agreeing to Gemma's desire for analingus, leading to hilarious reactions from Callum and Lorcan's father.
The show's ability to balance absurdity with genuine comic craft is evident. Despite the characters' idiocy, the writing is sharp and the performances are spot-on. Funboys is a serious work of comedy that delivers consistent laughs.
Funboys aired on BBC Three and is available on iPlayer.
