Mongrels

Mongrels is a refreshingly original British puppet comedy series that aired on BBC Three during 2010 and 2011. This adult anthropomorphic sitcom was created by Adam Miller and was full of satire, dark humor, and pop culture references. It boasts an impressive cast with lead puppeteer Andy Heath voicing several of the main characters.

The setting of Mongrels is far away from the glamorous parts of London that we are usually exposed to in TV shows and movies - instead, it takes place in the alleyways behind a pub in the Isle of Dogs, London. It cleverly brings forth the grittier aspects of urban life through the eyes of its animal characters, leading to some incredibly hilarious and close-to-real situations.

The series primarily focuses on five animals: Nelson, a metrosexual fox voiced by the talented puppeteer Andy Heath; Vince, a foul-mouthed sociopath of a fox voiced by Paul Kaye; Marion, a dim-witted cat voiced by Dan Tetsell; Kali, a sarcastic pigeon voiced by Katy Brand, and Destiny, a high-maintenance Afghan hound voiced by Lucy Montgomery. The interactions among the characters fuel the narrative of the entire series. The highly contrasting personalities create a perfect backdrop for the humor to unveil itself in the mundane day-to-day situations as well as the overarching plotline.

Nelson, the protagonist, is a thoughtful fox who likes to think of himself as middle-class and desires to live a domesticated life filled with refinement and class, an aspiration that often invites mocking from his counterparts. His contrast is Vince, a roguish fox who is the epitome of vulgarity. Vince derives his sick delights from others' misery and often finds himself in violent situations, serving as fodder for dark comedic content.

Destiny, a pampered but dim-witted dog, craves fame and show business. Destiny's obliviousness to other's feelings and pursuit of a glamorous life provides a satirical commentary on celebrity culture and social status. Marion, a hapless stray cat, and Kali, the mean-spirited pigeon, complement these primary characters perfectly, and their interactions often result in uproarious circumstances.

The unique tone of Mongrels sets itself apart through its animation and puppetry. Unlike most shows involving puppet characters, Mongrels embraces a mature approach laced with audacious humor. The meticulously designed puppets are brought to life not just by the talented hands of puppeteers like Andy Heath, but also by the excellent writing, which combines the crude language, shocking one-liners, and controversial commentary with a pinch of warmth and tenderness.

Adding to the uniqueness of Mongrels is its visually striking animation. The team skillfully integrates the puppets into settings with both real props and computer-generated elements, resulting in a rich visual palette that arrests viewers' attention. Moreover, the show often incorporates musical numbers and notable guest stars into its episodes, further enhancing its entertainment value.

Aside from the regular ensemble, Mongrels features a host of secondary characters including various other animals and human characters. Each episode hosts guest voices from notable British actors, celebrities, and comedians which adds a facet of diversity to the series and keeps the content fresh and unpredictable.

Despite its short run, Mongrels developed a cult following for its unorthodox comedic approach, and it managed to keep the viewers hooked because of this combination of brutal honesty, dark humor, and sitcom elements. It caters to a niche audience that appreciates the satirical take on contemporary society and the whimsical anthropomorphic representation of London's urban wildlife.

Mongrels is definitely a show that deserves recognition for its brave and original content. Tailored for a mature audience, this is one sitcom that unflinchingly uses puppet characters to dissect human culture and society's pretensions. Andy Heath and the rest of the team have created something completely singular and unforgettable with this show. If you're an ardent fan of puppetry or just someone looking for an edgy comedy series, Mongrels may very well be an undiscovered gem for you.