Easily one of the funniest things I've see on television in a while, Twenty Twelve wrapped up its all-too-short first series last night. For those who don't know, it follows Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville), Head of Deliverance of the Olympic Committe, attempting to organise the 2012 London Olympic Games. Problems they encounter along the way include discovering Roman architecture in the swimming pool venue, a totally incapable youth outreach leader, the hunt for a 'cultural ambassador' and the encroaching problems in Fletcher's personal life.
Not one of the episodes had a weak script, mostly written by John Morton, and it kept up its ability to put forward such stupid situations, but also make them very realistic at the same time. One such instance is the attempt to find the cultural ambassador; Kaye Hope (Amelia Bullmore) accidentally lets slip that they'll be appointing Anna Mitchell (Lucy Briers), but then 'upstairs' says it would look better if they hired the black Fidel Wilson (Johann Myers), but it is then thought that maybe a woman would be better after all, meaning the team is left with the slightly useless Roshanara Khan (Salima Saxton).
The episodes are all narrated, documentary style by David Tennant-in many cases the narration is totally dubbed over the top of people speaking; which is rather amusing. The performances remain strong from everyone; Hugh Bonneville as the somewhat useless Ian Fletcher is great, as is Jessica Hynes as 'Head of Brand' Siobhan; and other good support comes from Olivia Colman as Sally Owen, Ian's besotted PA as well as Tim McInnnery as Tony Ward, an ex-film director and new eco-warrior in the final episode and Darren Boyd as the likeable ex-Olympic athlete Dave Wellbeck, who is unfortunatly somewhat useless at presenting. One of the best 'performances' comes from Briers, again, in a pixalated-role as Fletcher's wife, Laura, a lawyer whose appearance is obscured as she was no part in the documentary.
Twenty Twelve was great, and it's a shame it was hidden away on BBC4. It's all on iPlayer, and a new series is apparently being commissioned.
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