The Vicar of Dibley (TV Series) In Lockdown #1 (2020) User Reviews

Times are tough.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 5/10 · 11 December 2020]

The much loved Dibley returns, for a series of short episodes, question is, could it still work, moat of the cast have sadly passed away, including the main butt of the jokes, Emma Chambers, the lovely Alice.

I wish the deaths of some of the characters had been explained, that would have been sweet.

I've not long watched the series from the start, and in its glory years it was super funny, a true classic. This served as a good and somewhat sentimental reminder of what the show used to be. I didn't actually think this was funny in any way shape or form, it made me want to watch classic episodes again.

Dawn doesn't seem to have aged a single day, she looks terrific.

This felt a little behind the times, I think we've had the social distancing and hand washing message enough times now.

I hope the next two have a few laughs, 5/10.

In Lockdown #1

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 9 December 2020]

A couple of years ago. I reviewed a movie that was made in 1958 and was pleasantly surprised that a lot of the actors were still alive and also still acting.

The same cannot be said of the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley. Many of its cast have died or retired from acting.

The sitcom was mildly edgy when it launched in 1994. It dealt with a female vicar who were only ordained by the Church of England a few years earlier.

The series ran its course some years ago only being revived for several Comic Relief specials.

This is a special lockdown edition where Geraldine Granger gives her sermons to her flock over Zoom. She reads out letters from characters such as Owen Newitt even though you know that the actor playing him died some years ago.

At least she is joined by Hugo Horton but again you know the actress playing his wife has also passed away. There will be no joke after the title credits.

This was a comforting but slightly rushed revival. The BBC along with other broadcasters have slim pickens because of the Covid pandemic this Christmas.

By now I have had my fill of shows made over Zoom type chats. This was ok at the beginning but even though it is only 10 minutes long. It began to drag.

Boring and not funny

[laurenalmighty · 1/10 · 17 December 2020]

I honestly don't know why they brought it back for this. It's lacking the charm of the original. I didn't find the characters endearing and my overall impression is that it was rather bland.

I remember when it was a comedy

[Impman2 · 1/10 · 16 December 2020]

To those who aren't familiar with ' The Vicar of Dibley', it used to be a comedy (and one of the best). Hard to believe isn't it. It's now past it's prime and has sadly gone woke. Rip Vicar of Dibley

Woke

[marktelling · 1/10 · 18 December 2020]

I loved this show, should never had been brought back. The cast has retired or past away. So the woke bbc decided to finish it like this. Should have left it alone. R. I. P. Vicar of dibley.

Was very clever but not quite with the same charm

[taranorton-41710 · 8/10 · 1 July 2021]

I loved these new episodes, it was very clever. It had however lost its charm, as most of the characters who made this programme arnt with us anymore, it just wasn't the same.

As a Christian and church goer myself I did find this very funny as the similarities are spot on lols. So with this I can appreciate the research that has gone into making them.

Dawn French was her very wonderful self and that still had her charm.

I thought this was great. Keep going Vicar.

[studioAT · 7/10 · 21 December 2020]

The 'true' end of 'The Vicar of Dibley' for me was when the beloved Vicar, Geraldine, found true love and realised that maybe it was time for her to have a life of her own as well as being there for her dotty congregation.

This being a BBC sitcom though of course it wasn't long before the nicely tied bow was cut, with a few Comic Relief specials popping up through the years, sadly with a declining supporting cast, many of whom were sadly no longer with us.

Based on a new audience finding the show through streaming sites it perhaps should be no surprise that the show was brought back again for these 'Lockdown themed' sermons.

What was surprising though was that I thought this was great, like welcoming an old friend back into my life.

Warm, charmingly written, with just enough edge to not become twee - I don't know what people are moaning about.

Ok, so it is a little odd that Geraldine is talking about characters whose actor is now sadly deceased, but what really is the alternative? Tell the truth that apart from David, Hugo and Jim the village has been wiped out?!

People need to relax and enjoy, rather than moan. The perfect ending has been long since undone.