Beautiful People, it’s compellingly shit

So, I realise I am a bit late to this party, but the BBC are currently airing the second season of their big gay comedy, Beautiful People.  In a word, it’s shit (but not nearly as shit as the recent horror that was Home Time).  The plot is based (loosely) on the memoirs of Simon Doonan, gay window dresser extraordinaire, who grew up in a dreary 70’s UK.

For the purposes of the show, the story has been updated and Simon has lost about 20 years, with his childhood now taking place in 90’s Reading.  This is the show’s main redeeming feature – shitloads of 90’s fashions, memorabilia and copious amounts of Spice Girls on the soundtrack.  There is something slightly disconcerting about watching a piece of nostalgia about your childhood – especially when it wasn’t that long ago.  It might have been better (in terms of story and finding an audience home on a Friday evening) had Simon been 10 years older, and growing up in the 80’s.  Atleast then he could have done a bit of vogueing on his 16th.

The stories are flimsy but campy; in the opening episode of this series the characters kept bursting into song (always a bonus).  Simon and best gayfriend (GIRLFRIEND) are a bit ridiculous, but, as someone who grew up in 90’s suburbia too, relatable.  But really, I’m just watching for a listen of such classics as those form the Spice Girls, All Saints, Kylie and Billie Piper.

If you’re looking to dip your toe in the water, check out the latest episode on BBC iPlayer.  It features none other than transexual Eurovision winner Dana International reinacting her 1998 glory moment.  It also features Simon’s chavvy sister forming an All Saints style girlband.  WORK IT GIRLFRIEND.