I was thrilled to hear that Ideal, starring the very talented Johnny Vegas would be returning to BBC3 television on August 17th for a sixth series. Ideal is about “Moz” a smalltime Mancunian pot dealer—who may or may not be agoraphobic—and the whimsical characters (and psychotic criminals) who come in and out of his life wanting to buy an eighth of weed. It’s one of the smartest, best-acted, best-directed, best-written sitcoms that I’ve ever seen. How many sitcoms can you name that have Throbbing Gristle and Carter-Tutti references? Additionally it’s got one of the best soundtracks going.  Did I mention that I love this show? Well I do, but the way series creator Graham Duff ended the fifth series, I was under the impression that the show was finished and had a bow tied on top, so the fact that it’s returning soon was viewed as unexpected great news in our household. Tara loves the show, too.

I love me some Mr. Johnny Vegas, who I think, truly, is one of the great comic actors of our time. I’m a huge fan. There is something about him that reminds me of WC Fields (this is a very good thing) and I’d call him “the funniest fat comedian of all time” except that the once unabashedly fat Vegas has slimmed down considerably from his peak weight. His verbal dexterity approaches that of a trained Shakespearean actor and his quick-witted stand-up material is shocking in its brilliance. I’ve seen him in practically everything he’s ever been in and I think he’s excellent in all of it. (All except for the awful, unfunny Sex Lives of the Potato Men, which is utter shit).

If you’ve never seen Ideal, obviously there are ways to get your hands on past episodes and if you are a fan of super-smart comedy, I suggest you do so.