Today, James Corden openly criticized what he considers the worst episode of Gavin & Stacey during his talk at the BBC Comedy Festival.
Describing Season 1 Episode 2 of the popular sitcom, Corden did not mince words: “It’s a very, very, very bad half hour,” he declared. “It’s an awful episode.”
But what exactly prompted such harsh criticism from Corden?
He explained that the narrative corner they painted themselves into by having Gavin propose to Stacey in the series opener limited their options moving forward. “It had this very romantic end, so you can’t do another romantic proposal [in the next episode],” Corden said.
In the controversial episode, a significant misunderstanding over a phone call forces Gavin to drive to Wales to mend his relationship with Stacey. At that time, Corden and co-creator Ruth Jones hadn’t fully grasped that Gavin & Stacey was “not a sitcom but closer to a comedy drama,” according to Corden. “We were conscious of this half-hour comedy format, and I don’t think we trusted that actually the characters will be what’s funny,” he added. They attempted to inject humor forcibly into scenes, including Gavin jumping over barriers while being targeted by lasers, which in hindsight felt out of sync with the show’s true nature as a character-driven narrative.
Jones humorously added that the episode’s failure could also be attributed to the lack of her character, Nessa.
However, Corden pointed out a silver lining: the introduction of beloved characters Dawn and Pete, portrayed by Julia Davies and Adrian Scarborough, respectively, whom Corden today regards as some of their best creations, alongside Pam, played by Alison Steadman.
During his appearance at the Comedy Festival, Corden passionately advocated for commissioners to be bolder in their commitments to comedy shows by approving multiple seasons upfront.
“How do platforms today succeed in comedy?,” he pondered. “I believe the only way is to commission two series right off the bat and say, ‘We believe in this, and it’s going to take time. You can’t depend on instant ratings.’ There’s an element of ownership and discovery in comedy that audiences relish when they uncover and then share comedies with friends.”
Corden reminisced about how Gavin & Stacey was initially given a double-season order before its premiere, a decision he doubts would be made in the current climate. “They said it doesn’t matter how many people watch this, we believe in it and want to commission it again,” he recalled of the BBC’s support. “Commissioners have to treat comedy differently. It can create stars overnight, but audiences need time and don’t want to be force-fed.”
Corden also acknowledged the role of fortune in success. “If [Gavin & Stacey] came out six months earlier or later, there’s a chance it wouldn’t have worked,” he noted. “We often think about success in terms of timing, mood, culture, and there’s an undeniable element of luck involved.”
The series finale of Gavin & Stacey was named the most-watched TV show in the UK for 2024, drawing an audience of over 20 million viewers on Christmas Day.
Corden and Jones have moved on from the BBC to Apple TV with their new project, The Choir, set to begin filming this year. The show features them as siblings Ben and Lisa, who reunite after Ben returns from abroad to a quiet English town.
The pair shared their insights at the BBC Comedy Festival, speaking just before top British comedy commissioners and the writers of Amandaland.
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