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Published Sunday, Feb 3 2008, 11:05 GMT | By Neil Wilkes | 9 comments

In the coming months BBC Three will be airing six one-hour drama pilots, one of which will go on to become a fully fledged series next year.

First off the block, from Gorillaz creator Jamie Hewlett, is Phoo Action:

The show is set in London, 2012, where the Queen has been hideously slaughtered by a gang of mutant criminals known as The Freebies. Kung-fu cop Terry Phoo and rebellious teen Whitey Action team up to prevent the devious freaks from infecting next in line to the throne, Prince William.

What's Good:

Ray Winstone's daughter Jaime is perfectly cast in the role of stroppy teen Whitey Action
The dance and fight scenes are wonderfully choreographed
What does BBC News look like in 2012? Everything is Fast! Fast! Fast! The on-screen graphics feature a super-quick spinning logo and lightning-speed news ticker, while the main anchor is a sarcastic Scot who trivialises even the most grave of issues

What's Not-So-Good:

For a drama about cartoonish mutants, the plot is tough going - and it takes a while to get off the ground
The mutants themselves look a bit too ridiculous, making for a very Mighty Boosh affair
It's a bit long at an hour; if it goes to series, it would sit much better as a half-hour comedy

Phoo Action airs Tuesday, February 12 at 9pm on BBC Three.

How does Phoo Action sound to you? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry. If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.

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Your Views

9 Comments

Your Responses

Kim Flores, London, on March 29th, 2009
Hello, i am angry that it got cancelled, I hope it has the same actors in it when it finally gets made into a series. I think people should have more guts, this is way better than some other series that got the go ahead. I think that all the things mentioned to be not so good with this pilot were wrong, it is great, people will love this series, you cannot base everything on the pilot. I need this as much as the next tv spectator, please let it be. Peace

Phil, Milton Keynes, on February 27th, 2008
Phoo Action rocks! The car is a Lancia Stratos. Glad to see it is becoming a series.

Kadefa Malia-Brasov, on February 25th, 2008
It awesome! I watch it 4 times! When next is it on? All like cartoon & weird comic! Good fights, cool car- what is it? club was kinda 2012!lol.

Wendy Doyle, Dumfries, on February 18th, 2008
Phoo Action rocks, I came across it by accident last night on BBC 3 and i'm well chuffed i did, i was rolling around giggling through most of it!! Top notch, long may it last!

Dave at home, on February 15th, 2008
i think the mutants were so good and i think it should be an hour long because it's that good.

Seb, Exeter, on February 15th, 2008
phoo action is going ahead as a series next year and its going to stay as an hour long show i hope its going to be as good as the pilot was on tuesday (P.S i love the car)

Dij, on February 5th, 2008
Phoo Action.. I cant wait for this... I really can't! :D

Annabel, Brighton, on February 4th, 2008
It looks fantastic, though if you ask me Jaime Winstone looks a bit like Saffron from Republica in that wig!

Lee, Teesside, on February 4th, 2008
It sounds as mad a bag of cats. I'm looking forward to it!

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