Siblings Daisy and Charlie Cooper created the U.K. mockumentary sitcom This Country, which inspired the U.S. show Welcome to Flatch, set to premiere in 2022. The program focuses on two cousins, Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe, who live in a small town in the Cotswolds. Their life is seemingly full of mundanity, with very little going on in their hometown and neither of them being part of large social circles.
Nonetheless, it’s the hilarioous lack of inspiration from the Mucklowes’ daily lives that makes This Country a brilliant British comedy show that needs worldwide recognition. The witty scripts are inundated with rib-tickling scenes, with no shortage of funny quotes from the characters.
A Strong Family Bond Based On Chocolate.
“I Don’t Even Like Bounties That Much. I Just Feel Sorry For Them ‘Cause They’re Always Left.”
The first episode of This Country introduces the main characters, Kerry and Kurtan. Kerry explains to camera that they’re cousins as well as being best mates. Her reason for their close friendship? She can share a box of Celebrations with Kurtan, because he’ll eat all the Bounty bars, which she doesn’t like. Kurtan’s quote of why he’ll eat the Bounties is not only funny, but it lays the foundations for the simple life the pair lead, with Kurtan’s concern for a specific chocolate being paramount in their on-camera introduction.
Old Teacher
“He Used To Say I Look Like The Puppet Off The Dolmio Advert.”
It comes as no surprise that Kerry and Kurtan weren’t teacher’s pets at school, nor were they high achievers. Upon learning that their old teacher Mr.Perkins died in series 1, episode 2, they both took to the streets to gleefully sing ‘he’s dead,’ for all the villagers to hear. They explain to camera why they disliked their woodwork teacher so much, with one of the reasons being the various names he would call them. The specificity of being compared to the Dolmio puppets is nothing short of comical and is a small example of why This Country will be known as one of the funniest mockumentaries to ever be made .
Prom Memories
“Yeah, Only ‘Cause I Kept Spiking My Own Drinks.”
The death of Mr.Perkins sparked a trip down memory lane for Kerry and Kurtan. In series 1, episode 2, the pair took to a box of old treasures in Kerry’s bedroom and root through her memories, that Kurtan was very much a part of. Kerry pulled out a photo of the both of them before their prom, and explained that shortly after the photo was taken, Kurtan was sick. The notion of someone spiking their own drinks, is so absurd, it can only result in uproarious laughter. Another reason for the comedy to be known as one of the best British sitcoms.
Family Disagreement
“She Said She Can’t Trust Him With A Barge Pole.”
The improper use of a word or an incorrect idiom, is always sure to get a good laugh, especially if its delivered with perfect, deadpan, comic timing. The excitement of Uncle Nugget returning home after his stretch in prison (which was supposedly unjust) is the catalyst for a string of anecdotes related to him.
In series 1, episode 3, Kurtan details how their Aunty Pat is not keen on Nugget by attempting to use the phrase ‘she wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole.’ Although it comes out wrong, there’s enough of the correct phrasing intact, for the audience to understand what he meant and find the humor in his mistake.
Uncle Nugget’s Return
“We’ll Be Laughing, Laughing, Laughing, He’ll Be Laughing, Laughing, Laughing, And Then Suddenly, He’ll Stop And Be Like, ‘What You Laughing At?'”
Charlie Cooper has a distinctive ability to say his comical lines with a straight-faced delivery, which only adds to the hilarity of the writing. His skill in portraying Kurtan is not only a perfect match to Daisy Cooper’s Kerry, but even in moments where he is speaking to camera alone, the humor is always present. His description of Uncle Nugget’s laughter in series 1, episode 3, epitomizes Cooper’s talent with a simple, repetitive yet hilarious sentence.
A Bad Purchase
“50 Quid! It Ain’t Worth 50p!”
Although Kerry and at times, Kurtan, try to give off an air of self-confident bravado, they’re never able to disguise the intimidation they feel when in the company of Mandy. Her bullish manner puts the cousins on edge, as they try to wangle their way through conversations without saying the wrong thing. In series 2, episode 2, Mandy is selling a computer, which turns out to be just the monitor. Kurtan tries to subtly explain that to her, but she still wants a fair sum of money for it. Without wanting to offend, he agrees to buying the monitor. The comedy value comes into play as he knows the monitor is worth next to nothing, but his fear of Mandy costs him greatly.
Unsupportive Mother
“You’d Scare Toothpaste Back In The Tube.”
Kerry’s mum Sue (who is actually also played by Daisy Cooper) is never seen on camera. She is always in her bedroom, but can often be heard shouting down to her daughter or Kurtan, with her husky, smoker’s voice. The cleverly written character is a great tool for comedy and even though she’s never seen, audiences can still get a strong sense of her personality.
In series 2, episode 2, Kerry realizes that they need more toilet paper but tells her mum that she doesn’t want to go to the shop herself for fear of being attacked after receiving anonymous threatening letters. Sue swoops in with her version of being a supportive mother by telling Kerry she has nothing to worry about because her face would “scare toothpaste back in the tube.’ Unhelpful to Kerry, but hilarious for viewers.
Strange Funeral
“When I Asked Clive What Sort Of Person Ray Was, He Was Like, ‘Oh, He Was Sweet, He Was Mellow, A Bit Nutty.’ And I Looked At The Blackboard Where Clive Was Looking And He Was Just Reading Out A Description Of A Guest Ale.”
Kurtan has a half brother, Ray, with whom he shares the same dad. They had a big age gap and they hardly knew each other. In series 3, episode 4, Ray has passed away and Kurtan goes along to his funeral with Kerry. At the wake in a pub, it becomes evident that no one really knew him, as the man giving a speech for him doesn’t have a lot to say. Later on in the episode, Kurtan is speaking to the camera where he shares the description of Ray that was given to him, only to realize they were actually just reciting the description of a guest ale.
Chicken Coop Mishap
“You Can’t Trust Kerry With Anything. She’ll Either Break It Or Sell It Or Just Let It Be Killed.”
Deep down, Kerry is harmless but has occasionally taken the wrong path or made a mistake. Whilst the Vicar is away in Bristol, Kurtan becomes a hotline to the village, for any issues that the vicar would usually deal with and Kerry is entrusted with taking care of the chickens. In series 3, episode 5, unfortunately and much to Kerry’s dismay, she left the coop open and the chickens were killed. Kurtan’s blunt summary of why Kerry can’t be trusted is simple yet effective in creating a humorous moment.
The Vicar Is Leaving
“Who Even Is The Archbishop? I’ve Never Heard Of The Archbishop Before, Until Today, And You’re Dancing To The Sound Of His Flute.”
The Vicar plays an important role in Kerry and Kurtan’s lives, as having people to depend on is a rarity for them, but he never lets either of them down. They knew that the vicar was visiting his son in Bristol, but what they didn’t realise was that he was also meeting with the Archbishop to discuss moving parish. In series 3, Episode 6, after he tells them, they are horrified and their upset comes out in in making ridiculous but hilarious statements, such as never hearing of someone called the Archbishop before, which of course, isn’t an unheard of title.
