Chewing Gum (2015--)

Ahh, pre-sex lust. That odd fascination with an  act desperately wanted, never experienced, and always hushed up. Remember your pre-sex teenage lust? Think about it for a moment, just enough to feel embarrassed.

Screenshot from trailer

Perhaps, like myself and Chewing Gum's Tracey, your religious beliefs had you holding that lust at arm's length for awhile. A lusty fermentation.

Airing originally on the U.K.'s E4 channel, Chewing Gum takes place in London, and features Tracey (Michaela Coel), a 24-year old British woman still living at home with her deeply religious mother and sister, still dating the man she has been with for the past six years without so much as kissing him. She tries to stay devout, but sex won't stay off her mind. When it all comes down to it, she would rather be licking a man's face than praying to Our Lord Savior or spending the night playing another game of Ludo with her sister. Once Tracey unleashes her desire onto the world, life gets a little crazy.

Screenshot from trailer

Sex is sloppy and confusing at first, and nothing screams sloppy and confusing like Tracey's attempt at being sexy. The series explores her coming out of the darkness of her religion and into the blinding electric lights of life.

This is not reality as we know it. This reality is bolder, more dramatic, heightened and extended beyond the norm in the best possible way. This is a world where grandmothers take off their tops at parties and where hit-and-run victims refuse help from a sinner. The comedy is a modern slap-stick. Even when the laughs are not physical (which they often are), the outlandish situations nod to the physical.

Screenshot from trailer

Chewing Gum is hilarious. It is quick-paced and jam-packed, but I do not get lost. The series has a strong enough spine to keep the story straight and engaging, though it is flexible enough to take the viewer on countless twists and turns. The jokes are witty and unexpected, making me burst out laughing with empathy and recognition. Every actor plays their role with brilliant dedication. In short, don't take my word for it, go watch this series because it deserves a crowd.


Just realized that  Michaela Coel  also writes the show, which is based off of one of her plays. She is officially brilliant.

Watch the trailer here