Ambassadors

[BloodiedGhouloshes]

Has anyone been watching? This has been an utter delight for me, and I only stumbled across it. In another life I used to work for an NGO in Central Asia, and this is just so so close to home.

I have - it's brilliant! My DH used to work in an embassy abroad and he says it's very close to home too.

Yes, I'm loving it. Very funny and thought tonight's one was touching at the end. Am v fond of Mitchell and Webb mind

So glad it is not just me!! I was hoping that it is not a show that just gets lost, it is so funny. DH and I have a saying 'It's funny because it's true'. That so fits here.

Also, I love their Russian. They have really put some work into it. Hats off.

We love it. Reviews seem mixed so I hope the ratings are good! Thought Tom Hollander was brilliant in the latest episode.

Yes he really was. I really liked the end bit also where he did diplomacy by drunkeness. It was very neatly judged. I missed his speech though as was settling a DC. I hope the ratings are good too. I have never watched Mitchell and Webb, so this is quite new to me.

so is that accurate then? boorish minor royal acheives where career diplomat fails via drunken bonding over old BBC hits???
worrying if true....

I have seen plenty of drunken bonding in my time abroad.... never done by a boorish royal though. (Not going to mention some boorish goodwill ambassador slebs though!)

not so bothered about the slebs, I'm not paying them (or am I?)

Hmmmm. interesting question! Not sure to be honest. I guess as part of the global community we are in terms of funds/membership fees paid to the EU, UN etc. But generally I was always a consultant doing my own thing in my own area not a higher up in the bureaucracy so I am not sure how the ins and outs of it all worked. If anyone knows the answer to that I would love to know!

Certainly, in the couple of experiences I had, the goodwill ambassadors were not paid a fee or anything, but the Agency they worked with had to pay for flights, security personnel, fancy hotels etc.

I am also enjoying this. I think it's co written by the writer of Rev which is one of my favourite shows. Interesting to see Webb play the self-assured character.

I've just seen they're filming a new series of Rev

I missed this but I loved rev, lovely show.

Yep, I'm loving it. Having lived in Russia and DH travelling regularly to the "stans" I can appreciate a lot of the humour. I just hope enough other people do as well.

Apparently the writers interviewed loads of diplomats and wives and visited embassies etc.

Does anyone know what POD stands for?

I think it was 'Prince of Darkness'? But I was not really watching carefully for half the first episode before being sucked in.

I see, I thought it was 'something' Of Diplomacy/Diplomats.
Do we know what his official title is?

Loving this, Tom Hollander was great too, thought he must of been based on Prince Andrew Shame its only three episodes, I think? hopefully Ive got that wrong!

Absolutely loving it! Are they speaking proper Russian, or a made-up Russian-sounding language?

My Russian is rusty, granted, but it sounds real to me!

with pretty good intonations also.

Plus, am loving the closing part of the ambassador having the Tazbek lessons. Hysterical.

Dies anyone know..... the bar maid who is the girlfriend of the blonde guy.. is that the girl who played Allie in 'About a Boy?'

Ellie, yes. And Tonks in Harry potter and she was in Mrs Henderson Presents.
Love M&W and this is proving go be an excellent programme. The Russian is real according to a Radio Times but learnt phonetically

It's an excellent series - but only 3 programmes

Sort of Yes Minister meets Borat.

Hope they make another series.

Quality stuff. Haven't enjoyed such well-crafted humour since Jo Brand's "Getting On".

It's definitely "real russian" invicta as are the notices on the embassy gate and other written Russian you see. I have been to the British Embassy in Moscow many a time and can vouch for that.