The first episode of Douglas Is Canceled has reignited speculation over which star acted as writer Steven Moffat’s inspiration, as viewers criticized the ITV drama’s “infuriating” start after it hit screens on Thursday night.
The series tells the story of a ‘national treasure’ news anchor, played by Hugh Bonneville, who is left fighting to save his career after being accused on X-rated of making a sexist joke at a wedding.
The four episodes then follow Bellowe’s relationship with Madeline Crow (his younger, more dynamic colleague, played by Karen Gillan) and how it changes after the first news of his alleged wrongdoing emerges.
While the full series was released on ITVX, the first episode aired on ITV1 on Thursday night and viewers were quick to share their thoughts.
While reaction to the episode and writer Steven Moffat’s script was mixed, fans praised star Karen Gillan, describing her performance as “tremendous.”
The first episode of Douglas Is Cancelled has reignited speculation over which star acted as writer Steven Moffat’s inspiration, as viewers criticised the ITV drama’s “infuriating” start.
The series tells the story of a “national treasure” news anchor, played by Hugh Bonneville, who fights to save his career after being accused on X-rated of making a sexist joke.
Some viewers noted that the series was a perfect satire of modern cancel culture, while others called it “infuriating and frustrating.”
Fans who were less impressed by the show shared posts on X, including: ‘I gave up on #DouglasIsCancelled after less than two episodes. The writing is infuriating and frustrating, the acting is childish, over-the-top and cartoonish. Disengaged in the ‘holding hands’ scene in Madeleine’s office. Horrible and ridiculous;’
“I had high hopes for #DouglasIsCancelled but it’s terrible. I’m not sure Stephen Moffat and primetime ITV is a sensible combination. The dialogue is unnatural and full of generational clichés and boring gags. Sorry, but to me, Douglas Is Canceled is… ahem… cancelled.”
‘Watching #DouglasIsCancelled, I am reminded once again that Stephen Moffat cannot write believable female characters’;
‘#DouglasIsCancelled has to be the worst thing Steven Moffat has ever written. It’s not funny and the crass portrayals of the AP and his daughter are irritating. What’s with Karen Gillan’s voice? She’s obviously been ordered to speak more quietly and from her throat to make it sound louder. Horrible;’
‘I’m streaming the first episode of #DouglasIsCancelled – it’s written like a play, constant dialogue, people talking loud and fast to each other without advancing the plot at all. Until now I hate him;’
Other viewers, however, were more complimentary of the series, with particular praise for star Karen Gillan, who plays Madeline Crow, the headstrong colleague of the accused Douglas.
Viewers wrote: ‘#DouglasIsCancelled is everything good and bad about Steven Moffat. Some great, snappy dialogue. Some bad, clumsy, dated jokes. It looks great. The women aren’t very well drawn. I wonder if he’ll ever write a show without Lynda Day. All that said, I’ll be back next week.’
While reaction to the episode and writer Steven Moffat’s script was mixed, fans praised star Karen Gillan, describing her performance as “tremendous.”
Some viewers were quick to criticise the first episode when it aired on ITV1, questioning the show’s script.
“I’m really quite enjoying the first episode of #DouglasIsCancelled on ITV1 right now.”
“This is Moffat at maximum power. Intense”;
‘I really enjoyed #DouglasIsCancelled written by #Stevenmoffat with a pretty fabulous cast;’
‘I enjoy this show #DouglasIsCancelled and no, not JUST because Karen Gillan is on it. It’s a fascinating dive into the toxic sewer that Twitter has become. And I appreciate the irony of posting in the same hellish sewer mentioned above. Anyway, it’s good… yeah;’
‘I started watching #DouglasIsCancelled and ended up binge-watching all four episodes. Excellent! @karengillan is phenomenal from start to finish, and episode 3 in particular was close to the most tense yet intriguing viewing I’ve witnessed in a long time. Bravo!’
“I loved, loved, loved Douglas Is Cancelled. I’ve just binge-watched all four episodes on ITVX and it’s great. Some great twists, an impeccable script by Steven Moffat and tremendous performances throughout, particularly Karen Gillan “.
Ahead of the miniseries’ first episode, there was something of a guessing game over which real-life star inspired the cancel culture comedy, after its writer Steven Moffat refused to reveal his identity.
Although the main character, Douglas, is fictional, Moffat said his idea for the series came from a story about “a person I won’t divulge.”
However, other viewers were more complimentary of the series, with particular praise going to star Karen Gillan, who plays defendant Douglas’ headstrong colleague Madeline Crow.
Something of a guessing game had broken out over which real-life star inspired the cancel culture comedy, after its screenwriter, Steven Moffat, refused to reveal his identity.
Referring to the real-life character who inspired the comedy-drama, Moffatt said: Magazine of the Royal Television Society: ‘It’s not the main part of the plot, but he got caught misbehaving and thought it might come up in an interview, so he had to have a mock interview with a junior colleague.
“I was fascinated by the idea of how that would work.”
Moffat is one of Britain’s best-known screenwriters, with hits including Doctor Who and Sherlock.
In another interview promoting her new ITV show, she said the issue of cancel culture deserved dramatic attention.
“We are outraged that they would cancel someone who thinks like us, but we are perfectly happy to cancel someone else,” he said. Sunday weather.
‘But cancellation only works with people capable of feeling shame and who want to be seen well. In other words, it only really works with pretty good people.
“It’s a smart bomb that can only eliminate people who at least aspire to virtue: you can’t cancel Hitler, you can’t cancel Donald Trump; you can’t, and they won’t care.”
‘What’s the point of a smart bomb that only affects civilized people?’
Moffat previously revealed that viewers wouldn’t know what Douglas actually said until the end of the series, leaving them to make their own decisions about whether or not he should have been written off.
