Newark, Newark show splits opinion of hometown residents
Three-part TV series Newark, Newark has attracted hundreds of reviews locally, with the verdict on its success very much in the balance.
The series has received high praise in the national press, though the Newark locals have been more difficult to please.
More than 100 comments were left on the Advertiser's Facebook account under a story reviewing the first episode.
Alice Ready and Paul Waton were among those who had the most liked comments.
Paul said: "For a low budget show with some well known actors it’s not bad.
"They were never going to get it completely right because it’s on somebody's view of Newark."
Alice said: "It was terrible and the only saving grace was that not everyone has Sky Tv. It shouldn't get picked up for a season two.
"All of the accents were dreadful, it was like an Essex-Northern mash-up with a lot more Newark slang thrown in one episode than you hear in town in a year — and it was not always pronounced correctly either."
Janet White-Eason, who was born in Newark, said she wasn't a fan of the show.
"The actors could not get the accent right," she said.
"It made the town look awful to live in."
Another reader, Natalie Jane Butler, said she was going to give the show a miss because of the reviews she had seen online, however, she decided to give it a chance.
"I'm so glad I gave it a chance," she said.
"I think it’s hilarious.
"People are saying it ‘makes Newark look bad’.
"I’m sorry but when Nathan Foad (the director of the show) was that age, that’s exactly how Newark was. Some places are still like that.
"Accents are awful granted — but I liked it."
Chris Gray said the show could prove to be a huge boost to the town.
"You lot are looking through your rose tinted specs," he said, in response to those who had left negative reviews.
"Look at how they portrayed the people and areas in Shameless — look at how well that went.
"If you all get off your high horses and look at the bigger picture it could be huge for this town.
"Personally, I thought they nailed it but maybe that's because I come from a different background to most of you? Just a thought."
Beth Roden disagreed and said it wasn't a good advert for 'our lovely town'.
The most liked comment on the Advertiser Facebook account about the show was left by Paul Phillip Johnson, who sat through all three episodes.
"In my opinion, I'm not convinced that Nathan Foad actually likes the place he's based his sitcom on," said Paul.
"I say this because this three-parter feels more like he's poking fun at his former home, rather than creating a love letter to it.
"Don't get me wrong, I love a good working class comedy.
"Done well, it can literally be a thing of joy.
"Here, though, it just seems like the point of the show is to laugh at how ridiculous working class people are.
"It's almost as if we've been presented with characters that have been written by someone who doesn't really understand the people or the place he's come from.
"In all fairness though, there are some chucklesome moments of farce to be had.
"The cast are game and perform the script well.
"Some of the accents are a bit off, but there's enough energy to the performances to distract the casual viewer from that.
"So admittedly there were some moments I enjoyed.
"But for my money, this could've been and should've been a lot more than it is.
"Hey look, I know it's only a piece of lightweight entertainment and not to be taken too seriously. But sorry, mush. For me, Newark, Newark is just a bit goose."
