An archive of blog entries about Canadian TV programmes and production
Third-episode verdict: InSecurity
In Canada: Tuesdays, 8.30pm ET, CBC
As we may recall, the first episode of InSecurity, CBC’s spy comedy, was dreadful – a lame, unfunny half-of-hour of bad acting and obvious jokes that everyone involved should be thoroughly ashamed of.
I’m pleased to say that although it’s not tremendously better, it has, at least, managed to raise a few laughs over the next couple of episodes. While it’s still operating at a base level of obvious, stupid and, again, poorly acted, there’s been a sight uptick in the writing, largely thanks to good old Canadian self-mockery, but with some actual characterisation going on as well.
Episode two has been the best of the crop so far, with the idea that Canada secretly has the most powerful armed forces in the world raising especial laughs, but episode three’s inept right-wing ex-prep school terrorists who can’t even bomb the National Arts Council of Canada properly managed to raise a giggle or two.
It’s clear that it’s always going to be both very hit or miss and stupid, but it does now have a few redeeming qualities and can occasionally make you laugh. It’s still not very good and if you have anything better to do, go and do that instead.
Carusometer rating: 4
Rob’s prediction: Dead by season’s end
