
Desmond's
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Desmond's, a British television situation comedy aired on Channel 4 from 1989 to 1994, is recognised for its perception in the portrayal of the Black British experience in the late 20th-century. This light-hearted sitcom navigates the trials and joys of family life, and is set primarily in a barber shop in Peckham, South-East London. Choreographed by Trix Worrell and produced by Farrukh Dhondy, this enjoyable and inclusive series has been hailed as a TV classic.
The face of Desmond's, is Desmond Ambrose, brilliantly portrayed by the charismatic Norman Beaton. Desmond is a Guyanese-British barber running a business - Desmond's Ambrose Barbershop, presumably named after him. With no fancy hairdressing techniques in his artillery, Desmond's cuts are straight-forward and 'no nonsense', which makes his thriving establishment a popular hangout for a parade of colourful characters.
The heart of the show, quite predictably, is Desmond's wife Shirley Ambrose, a character played by Carmen Munroe. Shirley, with her warm-hearted manner and her life wisdom, often serves as the family's moral compass. But unlike her somewhat traditional husband, she is more adaptively British, demonstrating a confrontation of two cultures' values and expectations within a single family unit.
Among the regular characters that grace the Ambrose's barbershop, Ram John Holder's portrayal of Augustus 'Porkpie' Grant is particularly memorable. Porkpie is not just a loyal customer but also Desmond's friend from their childhood in Guyana, and he often provides comic relief with his quirky observations and anecdotes.
Gyearbuor Asante bends into the role of Matthew, a sophisticated Ghanaian postgraduate student who rents a room from the Ambrose family. His distinctly African perspective on British life often serves as a counterpoint to Ambrose’s Caribbean outlook, creating an interesting dialog about the variations within the Black British experience.
The narrative gets its brisk pace from the interactions between Desmond, Shirley and their three children, each one displaying varying degrees of acculturation to British life. Their eldest son Michael, a bank employee, is more 'establishment' than the rest, while their daughter Gloria, is a fiercely independent feminist. Lastly, their younger son Sean, a schoolboy still at home, acts as an arbitrator when the family opinions clash.
A notable feature of 'Desmond's' is its originality in putting the Black British experience at the centre of the narrative without turning ethnic and cultural identities into cartoonish caricatures. It delves into issues such as immigration, race relations, cross-cultural fusion, and generational clashes with a mellow touch of humour. The black-and-white debates get shaded through the dialogues, as the characters grapple with racism, discrimination and cultural identity neatly wrapped in situational comedy.
The relatability of the characters owes a lot to the perfect casting and the talented actors who breathed life into them. Norman Beaton's formidable versatility allowed him to bring the right blend of sternness, vulnerability, and humour to Desmond’s character, making him a favorite among the viewers. Carmen Munroe's rhythmic performance as Shirley adds layers to her character’s resolve and strength, resulting in a dynamic matriarch. The eccentricity in Ram John Holder's enactment of Porkpie and Gyearbuor Asante's debonair portrayal of Matthew further enrich the show.
Highlighted with a colourful backdrop of a multicultural London neighbourhood, the Basins (often mentioned in the series) is shown to be a vibrant and spirited community, woven with stories of dreams, struggles, and camaraderie. The barbershop serves as the nexus of these anecdotes, a close knot of friendships, gossip, and casual wisdom, delivering a sense of community and home.
In its original run of six series, Desmond’s mirrored the development of the multicultural British society during the late 20th century, leaving an enduring impact on viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Distinguished in its pioneering representation of the Black British experience, Desmond's is more than a situational comedy, offering a warm, poignant, and humorous insight into the personal and collective life of a British black family.
Desmond's is a series categorized as a canceled. Spanning 6 seasons with a total of 136 episodes, the show debuted on 2011. The series has earned a mostly positive reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 7.8.
How to Watch Desmond's
How can I watch Desmond's online? Desmond's is available on Channel 4 with seasons and full episodes. You can also watch Desmond's on demand at Amazon Prime, Tubi TV online.