Static (BBC-1 2017, Rob Beckett, Alison Steadman)

Static is a sitcom all about twenty-something Rob (Rob Beckett) who jacks in a job in London to move back in with his parents in their southeast London family home, only to discover they’ve just sold the house and moved to a static caravan park in Margate.

Not only is Rob now jobless, but he’s now having to live on a sofabed in his parents’ caravan in a holiday park 80 miles from London whilst he figures out his next move.

It seems like a disaster to begin with, but his mum’s delighted to have someone to cook for, and his dad’s figured out how to get thousands of football channels on the telly. Before long Rob’s getting used to being with mum and dad again, and through them he’s quickly drawn into the world of the park, not to mention the extraordinary characters within it.

The question is – how quickly can Rob get back on his feet and back to London? And, as time goes on – how much does he really want to? Because despite the crippling FOMO Rob feels whenever he Facetimes his best mate back in the city, there’s definitely some benefits to living like a retired person when you’re in your twenties. Not least when there’s a smart and sassy girl working behind the clubhouse bar.

Static is at heart a family sitcom – warm, working-class, multi-generational and broad, with acutely and affectionately observed characters. And some cracking nicknames.

Rob Beckett says: “I always want to stretch myself as a writer and a performer and challenge myself to tackle different issues and genres. However, that’s really hard work. So what I’ve done is knock up a sitcom about a working class bloke from London called Rob who has to move back in with his parents who are coincidentally exactly the same as mine in real life. The only difference is their names which I’ve had to change in the show so my real parents don’t sue me for royalties.”

series
Comedy Playhouse

cast
Rob Beckett as Rob
Alison Steadman
Phil Davis
Craig Parkinson

key behind the scenes crew
Rob Beckett as Writer
Shaun Pye as Writer
John Pocock as Producer
Ed Bye as Director
Rachel Ablett as Executive Producer
Peter Holmes as Executive Producer
Ruth Phillips as Executive Producer

show type
sitcom

broadcast from
2017

network and production companies
BBC One – Zeppotron

country
UK