PhoneShop. Image shows from L to R: Jerwayne (Javone Prince), Ashley (Andrew Brooke), Lance (Martin Trenaman), Janine (Emma Fryer), Christopher (Tom Bennett). Image credit: Talkback Productions.

PhoneShop

A new series of this comedy is in production.

Sitcom set in a mobile phone shop with a strong sales culture and big sales targets. Written and created by Phil Bowker

Strand:
Channel 4 Comedy Showcase 2009
AKA:
Comedy Showcase: PhoneShop
Genre:
Sitcom
Broadcast:
2009 - 2011  (E4 / Channel 4)
Episodes:
13 (pilot + 2 series)
Starring:
Tom Bennett, Martin Trenaman, Andrew Brooke, Javone Prince, Emma Fryer
Writers:
Phil Bowker, Jon MacQueen
Production:
Talkback Productions

PhoneShop centres on the working day of the employees of a mobile phone shop, the like of which you can find in every high street and shopping mall across the country.

On the mean, cut-throat UK high street, the priority is to "shift units, make money, smash targets..." and no one knows that better than the staff of PhoneShop. But with top salesman Little Gary Patel back in jail, the staff's position as 'Kings of the High Street' may be in jeopardy for the first time.

Manager Lance has a secret weapon in the form of new recruit and graduate Christopher. But Lance's young protégée looks more damp squib than battle-ready expert. It's up to Ashley, Jerwayne and Janine - the elite Sales Professionals - to knock this eager-to-please, bag of nerves into shape.

Together it's their job to make sure that every mug punter within five square miles gets locked down to the tightest and most expensive mobile phone contract known to mankind.

Series 2: It's Austerity Britain 2011 and times are hard and getting harder. With star salesman Little Gary Patel still detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, the ever resourceful sales staff of PhoneShop Sutton are feeling the pinch - something has to be done.

While Ashley, Jerwayne and Christopher look to make an extra couple of quid on the side, and Janine attempts to climb her way up the greasy pole of Croydon's social scene, Lance is struggling to keep the staff together as head-hunters, hustlers and head office all conspire against him.

Our Review: The pilot of this episode, script edited by Ricky Gervais, was so highly regarded internally within Channel 4 that they ordered a full six-part series of the show before the trial episode had even aired.

Anyone who has worked in a phone shop will certainly identify with this comedy - the creator has clearly done his research on clueless customers and the tricks that sales people use to get you to upgrade or lock yourself into an expensive contract.

Actor Tom Bennett does a great job of playing new guy Christopher, but sometimes his mannerisms are so similar to those of Ricky Gervais that it is distracting - take this clip for example - very David Brent indeed!

There's certainly potential in this show - particularly the banter between the two experienced male shop assistants (Ashley and Jerwayne), but whether they are likeable characters is up for debate. At the moment they're coming across as a bit annoying, especially with their put on 'street' accents.

The show is clearly very popular within its demographic as it has already been given a third series.