Trollied

Trollied is a British situation comedy series that aired on Sky One between 2011 and 2018. It’s an engaging take on what goes on behind the scenes in a mega supermarket, providing viewers with hilarious and sometimes eccentric moments of everyday retail employees' lives. The setting, while common, provides a unique backdrop for a quirky cavalcade of characters and their daily shenanigans.

Created by Anne Marie O'Connor, Paul Doolan, Ash Atalla, and directed by Paul Walker, the series is set in the mythical Valco supermarket in the north-west of England. This fictional supermarket is a flagship store for the fictional supermarket chain under Valco's banner. The store's layout and design give the viewer a sense of familiarity, as it's designed to resemble every to-go local grocery store. The setting is truly reflective of the typical British supermarket culture, capturing the essence of the common man’s everyday shopping need supplier.

The main cast involves a bunch of colourful characters, each bringing unique elements to the plot. The series is led by store manager Gavin, played by Jason Watkins, a quirky and often disaster-prone character whose efforts to maintain decorum in the store usually lead to more chaos. His team includes deputy Julie, a power-craving and controlling personality played brilliantly by Jane Horrocks. Karl, a naive and love-struck store worker (Faye McKeever), and a host of others provides a balance of humor, drama, and a surprising amount of heart for such a crass setting.

One of the most refreshing aspects of Trollied lies in its diverse characters, all of whom work and interact in a hyper-realistic way within the grocery setting. From the head office corporate managers to the store shelf stackers, each character embodies a typical personality that one would find in a supermarket. This vast array of roles is brilliantly depicted by an ensemble cast, who inject their individual charm into their characters, making each role memorable in their own unique way.

The storylines in the series are typically driven by interactions between the characters, which lend themselves to both spectacular comedic highs and surprisingly touching moments of humanity. The format of Trollied is episodic, with each episode bringing a new story, a new dilemma, or even a new promotion driving the madcap humour. Like many workplace comedies, most of the humor emanates from the absurdities associated with the job, the quirky personalities of the co-workers, and the interaction between them.

The dialogue is snappy, witty, and character-driven. While many of the situations are exaggerated for comedic effect, they hit close to home due to the grounded authenticity of the absurdities that occur in an everyday workplace. The sharp wit and fast-paced delivery keep the dialogue crackling and the viewer invested.

Effects, tone, and cinematography speak volumes about the authenticity of Trollied. The shot-on-site feel gives the production a docu-comedy vibe that serves to enhance the sense of realism and immersion. The colour palette is bright and lively, mirroring the bustling life of a buzzing supermarket.

Trollied never shies away from broaching serious, real-life issues like layoffs, power struggles, and love triangles, all within the precincts of a supermarket, adorning them with a layer of British wit and humour. Amidst the typically light-hearted comedic touches, the real-life concerns and issues faced by employees in a customer service atmosphere are also ingeniously highlighted.

In conclusion, Trollied is a brilliant British situational comedy that successfully gives a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of supermarket life from the perspective of the employees. It's a loving homage to those who work in our supermarkets, which are an integral part of our daily life. With its endearing characters, unpredictable storylines, and the perfect blend of hilarity and heart, Trollied is a lively and light-hearted watch for those seeking a good dose of laughter. It provides a perfect mix of realism, wit, charm, and drama wrapped inside the most unassuming venue- a supermarket.