Review of Mike Bubbins's new BBC Wales sitcom

There are strong Life On Mars-in-reverse vibes to Mammoth, the new BBC Wales sitcom from comedian Mike Bubbins.

In real life, the stand-up is the walking embodiment of the 1970s aesthetic, and he’s applied that to his tracksuit-clad screen alter-ego Tony Mammoth. A PE teacher, he was crushed by an avalanche while leading a school skiing trip to the French Alps in 1979. But he didn’t die: the ice kept him in a state of suspended animation, ready to be thawed out 42 years later. Now back in his old job and still driving the same Ford Capri, he must navigate the vagaries of 21st Century life.

However, Bubbins, who also wrote the show, doesn’t really exploit the major cultural changes of the past four decades. Mammoth is no dinosaur from an era before political correctness but a well-meaning chap who just happens to display a couple of unusual throwbacks, such as wearing Old Spice after-shave and wanting to smoke a pipe while refereeing a football match.

In place of major generational friction, a more gentle strand of humour comes from long-forgotten reference points. He still calls Snickers Marathons, and pupils and colleagues have no idea what he means by Huggy Bear or Jonathan E from Rollerball. And he’s not quite sure which of his musical heroes are even still alive. It’s a sitcom equivalent of nostalgic, ‘remember Rola Cola?’ stand-up.

Of more interest is the fact he must come to terms that all his friends are dead or septuagenarians. They include Roger (Joseph Marcell), whose floor he’s sleeping on, and Judy Jones (Olwen Rees), one of his many, many, old flames who wants to rekindle the passion – as she makes very clear in the funniest scene in this pilot.
In truth, however, there are few laugh-out-loud moments. Instead, the show is bathed in warm good humour that makes you feel happy for watching it. 

Mammoth is a kind, sympathetic figure, doing his best despite being out of his time. You suspect even his wary headteacher, the supposed point of conflict in the story, knows this. And for a show with such outlandish premise, the tone is otherwise firmly down to earth.

So if you prefer a little grit in your sitcoms or big exaggerated gags, look elsewhere, but for coridal smiles from an engaging character, Mammoth might be your man.

• Mammoth is now available on BBC iPlayer

Review date: 5 Nov 2021
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett