Radio Times

My initial reaction was dismay that the magnificent Sue Johnston was persuaded to ally herself to such meretricious dross. That a second run was commissioned also beggars belief. Jam & Jerusalem just doesn't know what it wants to be. As comedy it’s mirthless, as drama it's unengaging and as "gentle cosy entertainment" it's constipated.

With an impressive, predominantly female ensemble, J&J is reminiscent of Victoria Wood's superior dinnerladies, but it wastes all comedic talent at its disposal. Characterisation is minimal - one or two oddballs stand out but, frankly, they'd be more at home and get better material in Royston Vasey. There are even echoes of Last of the Summer Wine: in episode one, an old codger performed a ridiculous pratfall falling from a wobbly bike.

The focal character is weather-beaten widow Sal, played by Johnston. She puts on a brave face while her 30-something children continue to make demands on her, as do the various bewildered, egg-shell personalities in Clatterford St Mary's Women's Guild. There's at least one overwrought heart-to-heart in every episode. Is that just me yawning?

Dawn French's Rosie, an unconvincing dim/jolly/disturbing split personality, has tumbled out of the same tired old comedy cupboard. Supposedly "unrecognisable" (no, she's not), Joanna Lumley is heavily made up as moth-eaten derelict Delilah, a tone-deaf church organist - nowhere near as amusing as Lumley's Ab Fab comic-grotesque Patsy.

Flickering in and out of scenes with nothing worthy of their talents are Pauline McLynn (Father Ted's Mrs Doyle) and Doreen Mantle (One Foot in the Grave's Mrs Warboys). Also poorly served is the glorious Maggie Steed. As chair of the Women's Guild, she should be monstrously funny, not just a weary old nag chomping on chicken-feed dialogue.

David Mitchell, one of the few men in the cast, plays Sal's son James. As a tactless GP, he waddles through each episode with a perpetual sneer, perhaps keenly aware just how much this stinks.

Saunders, in a minor role, that of an expressionless, stiff-lipped toff, wanders around the periphery of events misunderstanding pop cultural references and terms for unusual sexual practices. But don't worry, viewers: if anyone's in the dark about the unsavoury meaning of "rimming", Jen's buddy (Suzy Aitchison, daughter of June Whitfield) will explain things in no uncertain terms. Where's the humour in that?

Can you imagine the reaction if you were not Jennifer Saunders, with a contract to fulfil and a coterie of comedy buddies to call upon, but a fledgling writer delivering these dismal scripts to a panel of TV executives? The only laughs you'd get would be derisive guffaws as you were shooed from the building.

Jam & Jerusalem? Move away from the display, ladies. There's nothing worth preserving and precious little to sing about.

I don't care what anyone else might think, J&J has continually tickled my belly and made me laugh out loud. I am not easily pleased and have high standards as far as comedy is concerned. While I can see where others are getting there views from, you are letting presumptions or first impressions make your judgements. This show is loveable and has made me laugh like few others, I can't wait for the third series!

i didnt like it either, and these comments are making me laugh is the title of this blog not "why i hate..." and yet there is still surprise that its full of criticism

I really love J&J. I think that it is a wonderful show with an excellent cast. The beauty of it is in its simplicity. I don't see why it has to be put in any category when considering what kind of show it is - though for some reason people think that everything has to have a label on it. I think we should just let it be. You've tried to take a show with many dimensions and define it as either comedy, drama, or "gentle cosy entertainment." Why is this necessary? Why can't we just let it flow naturally without having to define it? I realize that the first couple of episodes may be hard to get into - not because they are bad - but because the show is more slowly paced than most that we see today. There is a gentleness to it that I find wonderful. I really enjoy all of the characters and I'm thrilled that we will get another series. I wish that you had shown a little more restraint in your assessment of J&J. As a critic, I would think that you would need to be a bit more objective in the way you express your opinions. You can be critical without being rude and disrespectful. Perhaps considering that you are probably not the shows target audience before jumping to conclusions would also have been a good idea.

I have one thing to say to people who criticise such fabululous programmes such as this. Take yourself down the high street, pop into Specsavers, have you eyes tested and while your at it why not pop to the doctor and have your ears syringed. Go home and try watching the series again and if that doesn't work in making you see the quality behind J&J then i can only assume you accidentally tuned in the first time during the ad break for big brother.

i don't know why you feel the need to rant about a show, A GOOD SHOW, and make it sound like rubbish. I personally find the show to be hilarious and I think they have great story lines... maybe you just need to get used to all the characters... and I wouldn't have none it was joanna lumely if i didn't already know before hand... so maybe you were looking to hard. && the writing was excellent in my opinion

You are very narrow minded and stuck-up. Clearly you have the attention span of a rock and taste to match. Jennifer Saunders is one of the most brilliant comediennes and writers of all time and Jam & Jerusalem, just like Ab Fab and F&S and Vivienne Vyle, is a work of utter genius from her. If you don't have the ability to recognise and appreciate good comedy, then (as Dawn once said in a French & Saunders sketch)...GET OUTTA THE POOL!

Sorry, dont watch the show then if you cant appreciate the humour. I think the fusion of comedy and the heartfelt storylines works magnificently. The first few episodes were a bit dull, Sal's husband had just been killed off, what would you expect? After that, though, I felt that it really took off. I suppose if you would have kept watching you would have seen more character development, more laughs, and more interesting storylines, but youre just too close-minded.

So do you feel a lot better now you got that off your chest? Feel acomplished? Let people make their own decision and dont bother being so rude.

Don't watch it then. i feel sory for all u critics u can't just watch a show and enjoy it. its a well funny show

Pretty much the same concept as the talking head clip shows we never tire of watching ... jobs for the girls when they've nothing else on.

Mind, I'll bet they all had a jolly old hoot making it.

Couldn't be further from the truth. Are they watching the same show as the rest of us?

Sorry a load of rubbish. No fluidity. Some of actresses taking part are one dimensional simply repeating characterisations from previous programs, in particular Lumley; French and Saunders. Second episode of the first series was my limit.

I quickly came to the same conclusion after the first two episodes of series one. I saw a little of the most recent episode and it occurred to me that J & J is in danger of becoming a descendant of Last of the Summer Wine: a pension fund for aging comedians.