People Just Do Nothing

People Just Do Nothing is a unique blend of mockumentary and sitcom, aired on BBC Three from 2014 to 2018. The series revolves around a group of friends who operate a pirate radio station, broadcasting UK Garage and Drum and Bass music from Brentford, a town located in West London, England. An authentic slice of life from a previously unexplored corner of the popular culture, the show started as a YouTube series under the name Kurupt FM before earning a spot on mainstream television due to its rapidly growing popularity.

At the heart of the series, we find MC Grindah (Allan Mustafa), the quintessential village idiot with a heart of gold and a wildly overinflated sense of self. He's the founder and leader of the Kurupt FM pirate radio station, alongside his best friend and hype man, Beats (Hugo Chegwin). Together, they spin a specific type of urban dance music that played an integral role in shaping the UK's diverse pop culture scene in the late 90s and early 2000s.

The show also features the characters Chabuddy G (Asim Chaudhry), the local wheeler-dealer who earns his title of the '4th member of Kurupt' by providing the station with business advice and managing their promotions. Next, we have the eccentric and impressionable Steves (Steve Stamp), the DJ of the group who has unlimited access to the station because he lives at the premises. Rounding the cast out is Miche (Lily Brazier), Grindah's long-suffering girlfriend and the mother of their daughter, Angel.

People Just Do Nothing intimately reveals the absurd and hilarious day-to-day goings-on of the radio station and its colourful crew. It also illuminates the struggle of keeping the spirit of pirate radio alive amidst the rise of digital media platforms and rapidly evolving technology. What adds an extra layer of humour is the stark contrast between the grandiose ideas of fame the characters harbor and their mundane suburban reality.

The series captures the essence of a specific subculture and presents a unique portrait of urban life in the outskirts of Britain's capital. One of the strengths of the show is its authentic representation of the cultural mix that defines the contemporary urban landscape of London. West Indian, African, Asian and Eastern European cultures permeate the series, moving beyond mere tokenism to provide an authentic representation of London's multiculturalism.

By utilising the mockumentary format, People Just Do Nothing blends reality and fiction, creating a setting which feels genuine and lived-in. The banalities of Brentford and the everyday events of the Kurupt FM gang are captured and magnified, making for some genuinely funny and relatable moments. Yet, amidst this humour, the show does not shy away from tackling serious issues like parenthood, relationships, and economic struggles, which adds depth to the characters and the narrative.

The friendship between the characters is central to the show, forming the foundation of both the radio station crew and the narrative. The chemistry and banter between the characters feel authentic, making their trials and tribulations all the more relatable. Moreover, the characters evolve over the course of the series, with their personal issues often mirroring their respective characters' struggles with self-identity, purpose, and ambition.

The series is also notable for its impressive soundtrack. As a show centered around a pirate radio station specialising in a niche genre of music, the music becomes an integral character in itself. It plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the show, further cementing its authenticity and dedication to represent the culture it pays homage to.

People Just Do Nothing is special in many ways. It is a comical and nuanced exploration of a specific subculture's passion, ambition, and loyalty amidst the mundane reality of suburban life. The show leaves a lasting impression with its distinctive characters, unique setting, cultural authenticity, engaging plot, and, most importantly, its humor that is deeply embedded in the observational realities of life.