Unrepeatable

"Here's a rare thing: a comedy aimed at 20- to 30-year-olds that isn't inept, insulting and out of touch. It's the story of a long-distance relationship, complicated by the lovers' ditsiness and their weird families and friends.

The starry supporting cast (Alison Steadman, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, James Corden) provide the vulgar belly laughs, all as larger-than-life loons who never tip over into caricature, thanks to Jones and Corden's earthy, affectionate script. Meanwhile, the fantasy romance is gentle and fluffy without being cheesy. This'll be a hit. "

Jack Seale, Radio Times, May 2007. He was rights, and on Christmas Day, 12.32m of us, tuned in to old-fashioned linear tv to watch the finale. 

I'd like to be at the post-Xmas meeting where Charlotte Moore and team shape next year's schedule. The chances of another special seem to be zero; another Wallace and Gromit might already be in the mix, but if not, it takes a year and a half to make another. 

So credit to those around in 2007 to support the Corden/Smith venture: Stuart Murphy, Controller of BBC3, who commissioned it (as a series, rather than the writers' offer of a one-off); Alan Bennett, who encouraged Corden to write while playing in The History Boys in London and New York; and BBC Wales controller Menna Richards, co-commissioner.