Customer Reviews

Cabin Pressure: The Collected Series

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Finnermore is a comedy giant in our house. Cabin pressure is so beautifully written and just the best comedy series ever. It's just "brilliant!" I bought this for the car and now my 6 year old wants an emergency "citrus pocket" sewn onto his coat and we all shout yellow car at every occasion. More please.

A quiet yet persistent choking noise brought the rest of the workers to the far end of the store. Senses numbed from lack of sleep and the oncoming morning, fear crept silently alongside each of them as they sought to discover the reason for the strange sounds in the distance.

Turning the corner of the Health and Beauty aisle, a huddled shape could be seen down the far end, now moaning like a wounded animal. As the group ran towards the lone figure, it raised its head and faced them, eyes streaming with tears.

She struggled for breath, gesturing to the headphones, and tried to breathe through what they now realised was a fatal fit of laughter.

"Cabin...Pressure..." she choked, before becoming still and falling back to the floor. Her glassy eyes were still framed with tears of mirth, the wide grin now fixed on her face forever.

John Finnemore had killed again.

I had not heard this series on the radio but bought it on the basis of the short clip I was able to preview. It's a gem! I laughed from start to to finish and listened to half of the 10 CDs back-to-back. You don't have to be 'in the airline business know' to appreciate the well-informed humour that runs throughout the episodes. Comic timing is genius. I would recommend this box set to anyone who likes to laugh on their way to work! It would make a great Christmas present.

Wonderful family-friendly, clever comedy. Bought for my husband's birthday, and chosen by one of the children. We listened to much of it during a long drive on holiday. Three boys (15, 13 and 10) loved it and we were all laughing out loud. The journey passed easily, and there was no bickering on the back seat. Fantastic characters are created by the writer John Finnemore, while the acting is superb. Roger Allam is now hero worshipped by my sons because of his way with a come-back line - my youngest has even used a few in the playground against rough older children - with great success. Benedict Cumberbatch, as Captain, is the foil to Allam's world-weary second officer pilot, while Stephanie Cole as owner, Carolyn, is witheringly acerbic. The sunny mood of the whole series is carried by the character of Arthur, played by Finnemore himself. Arthur is a fool, but one with a totally positive, child-like outlook on life, but surprisingly we can learn something from his philosophy. ( Listen out for Arthur on those little moments of happiness, or on why flight delays should be enjoyed.) Hugely entertaining and weirdly uplifting, while never once using offensive language, or even anything smutty. I wouldn't have minded if it did, but it shows the writer's skill, and the performers' talent, that such a great comedy can be created through characterisation and wordplay.

I
I can whole heartedly one hundred per cent recommend this fabulous three series radio show to you.
Series one was excellent series 2 great and series 3 continued it excellent and humor.
I have reviewed series one and two on Amazon and said
'One of the little joys of life in our troubled times, in our troubled world is discovering a hidden gem of a series and believe me this series is just that- a sparkling gem of a comedy series.'

I still hold on to that view this a cracking little series that really brings a smile to your face and a chuckle/
Now at less that fifteen pounds, at the time of writing, this is fabulous value. Less than a fiver a series and less than the cost of series one and two together alone. This is also cracking value.

I originally received series one via Amazon Vine- I was hooked by episode 4.
When offered the chance to hear and review the second series I was more than keen.
It too was equally brilliant and entertaining.Cabin Pressure Series 1 (BBC Audio)
Cabin Pressure Series 2 (BBC Audio)
Cabin Pressure Series 1 (BBC Audio)
Cabin Pressure Series 2 (BBC Audio)

One liners, wise cracks and simply daft situations with crack pot solutions abound.
I still believe it would make a brilliant television series it is that and I mean THAT good.

That would of course you could get Benedict Cumberbatch but he, and I really am sincere in this view could easily be replaced. Don't get me wrong he is good and plays his part well

but for me the outstanding actor is Roger Allam ('The Thick of It' Parades End)
who takes the role of 1st officer Douglas Richardson and is played to the hilt by Allam.

Finnemore has written Allam a dream role and character. He's a world weary, seen it all, wheeler dealer time passed over as Captain and he conveys this magnificently.

Allam is simply wonderful as he wheels and deals to get the benefits of his knowledge.
In one episode in series 2 he expects to swap 600 Euros worth of Orchids for 660 Euros worth of fish products on a stop off in Helsinki with a view to dropping them off in land locked Zurich Switzerland to trade for up market chocolate!!
The fact that this original chain of barter started with a cheese and pickle sandwich adds to the sheer fun of the trades!!

Stephanie Cole ( 'Doc Martin'), is great as the aged owner of the one jet Carolyn Knapp-Shappey. On radio she is fine in the role. Television may be another matter perhaps but she has some great one liner and convinces the listener that her character is believable and funny.

The in demand Benedict Cumber batch (Sherlock, End of the Parade) plays the inept flight Captain.
He is good and has some great liners- and is a brilliant foil to Allam- but I really think he will have gone on to better things should this convert to TV. However having recently seen Cumberbatch opposite Allam's role of his general in End of the Parade I may be totally up the runway without a landing slot.
As I said at earlier in this review another up and coming actor would easily step into his flight shoes. Allam,Finnemore and to a lesser extent Cole are the indispensable stars.

Finnemore is to be congratulated in letting all his best lines go to the cast of actors (just like Victoria Wood does in her series Dinner ladies)
He also plays the idiot role of Arthur Shappey his character??

- As the great Groucho Marx once said
He may look like and idiot- he may talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you--he is an idiot. Comes to mind think of Pike in Dad's army.

This set contains CDs with 2 full shows on each making 18 in total BUT and Barbara has put me right on that it contains a fabulous 10th Cd containing the Christmas special episode 'Molokai' - making this a really 'bumper' buy.
So perfect for the car and a fabulous Christmas Present for someone?

John Finnemore has written wonderful stories and this series should run and run.

I look forward to the 4th series

You need to listen to this then go back and listen to the first few episodes again straight away. Its hilarious from the off, but once you get to know the characters and you listen again its even funnier. Superbly written and beautifully acted, one of the funniest shows I've heard in a long time.

Totally hilarious! I thoroughly recommend this edition of the collected series (series 1, 2 & 3 plus Christmas episode) and if this show is your thing then you should also purchase series 4 for the 'Have a banana' episode alone. A true ensemble piece where every actor is excellent.

non stop fun, BBC have done it again and its the best radio comedy show ever. You wont regret this!

a great soundtrack for doing chores or driving on a grey winter's afternoon - fasten your seatbelt and prepare for laughter

This Audiobook contains the first three series of "Cabin Pressure" plus a christmas episode. The play itself is about the remarkably funny flights of the little crew of MJN Air. Every actor lives up to the character he speaks. My recommendation for everyone who likes humorous storys of people who couldn't be more different but are just therefore good friends.