“Queen of Oz: A Regal Riot or a Comedy Catastrophe?”

Queen of Oz: A Comedy of Contradictions

The Cultural Reckoning of Comedy

Comedy has always walked a fine line between what is acceptable and what is deemed offensive. The Catherine Tate Show’s portrayal of the feckless teenager Lauren Cooper seemed to tickle the funny bone of audiences at the time, despite the character relying heavily on misogyny and classism for laughs. However, in the wake of the cultural reckoning that has taken place since then, it is clear that the metrics of acceptability have changed.

Tate’s latest sitcom, Queen of Oz, takes a different approach from her previous work, shifting the focus from punching down to mocking the upper crust. The show follows Princess Georgiana, a ne’er-do-well member of a fictional British royal family, who is sent to Australia to serve as their new representative. The premise, although somewhat far-fetched, sets the stage for a potentially interesting satire of the monarchy.

A Clear, Yet Roaming Story

Queen of Oz, produced by Tate and co-written with her partner Jeff Gutheim, shows a departure from her previous plotless Netflix mock-doc, Hard Cell. In this new sitcom, Tate takes on one character, promising a more focused performance. The show finds its footing when exploring the interactions between Georgiana and her meek private secretary, Bernard.

While these scenes may not reach the heights of renowned British comedies such as The Thick of It or The Office, they do elevate what would otherwise be a forgettable comedy. The exchanges between Georgiana and Bernard inject some much-needed energy into the show and provide moments of genuine humor.

Decent Gags and a Shift in Comedy Style

Queen of Oz manages to pepper in some decent gags, although they may not elicit roaring laughter but rather a sharp exhalation of breath out of your nose. The show also makes an effort to move away from relying solely on catchphrases, which was a staple of Tate’s earlier work.

However, there are still moments of discomfort and questionable humor, such as a name-based joke directed at an Asian character, which falls flat in the press screening. While this may be remnants of the less tasteful spirit of comedy that Tate first found fame in, overall, Queen of Oz manages to rise above its predecessors.

A Comedy of Contradictions

On paper, Queen of Oz appears to be a promising satire of the monarchy. However, the show leaves viewers questioning whether they are meant to root for Georgiana or simply laugh at her. This conflicted message detracts from the overall enjoyment of the sitcom.

Ultimately, Queen of Oz is a comedy that tries to walk the line between mocking the upper crust and delivering genuine laughs. While it may not reach the level of comedic brilliance found in other British sitcoms, it does manage to carve out its own niche and provide some moments of entertainment.

As the show continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Australian audiences respond to the portrayal of their country and whether the comedy resonates with them. Queen of Oz is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.