What I'm Watching... Murder in Successville

Murder in Successville
BBC Three

The first time I watched BBC Three's Murder in Successville, the only thought I had was: This show is absolutely brilliant! Murder in Successville is charming, original, and actually hilarious. But what makes Murder in Successville such a success is the irony of Britain's favorite celebrities starring in a show that is taking the Mickey out celebrities. 

Murder in Successville is set in the fictitious land of Successville, a town full of celebrities. D.I. Sleet, who oversees the villainous and crime-ridden citizens, is in need of a new partner to help him with the abundance of crime. Each week D.I. and his "partner" are tasked with solving the latest brutal murder of one of Succcessville's famous citizens. The partner, played by that week's celebrity guest, is completely unaware of the events that are about to unfold, and they need to use the clues they find with D.I. Sleet to solve the case.   

I love Murder in Successville for two reasons. One, the concept of the program is absolutely brilliant. You probably couldn't guess this about but I love a good murder mystery. But what I love more than murder mysteries are murder mystery parties (I even wrote my own!). Much like the premises of murder mystery parties, Murder in Successville brilliantly engulfs a celebrity in a live action murder mystery and relies on him/ her to solve the mystery at the end. The idea that somebody thought of this concept AND executed it so brilliantly on-screen honestly makes me believe that there is still original ideas out there. But also what makes this concept work so well are the fantastic improve skills of the cast. They are ready to pounce effortlessly on anything that is thrown their way. 

Two, the incredible irony of referring to celebrities as the scum of the Earth, while centering the entire show around one celebrity. I know I've said this show is brilliant a lot already, but this show is bloody brilliant. Successville is a town riddled with crime and murder; the town is grim and scummy. There is no denying that the show runners are comparing Successville to Hollywood and the low standards of the Los Angeles lifestyle. The show's entire premise is based around celebrities murdering each other, which symbolizes the dog-eat-dog world of stardom. (Pardon my slang, but) This show is woke! And what makes it even more 'woke' is it continues to laugh in the face of fame by inviting a famous face to interact with their fellow exaggerated famous faces and solve their murders. 

Murder in Successville is not a show to miss. It's punching, it's satirical, and it's original. Even if you care about it's hidden agenda, it's still absolutely hilarious and good quality entertainment.