The landscape of television comedy has shifted dramatically, with political satire struggling to keep pace with reality and mainstream culture fragmenting. Against this backdrop, the return of an unapologetically old-school sitcom like Mammoth feels like a breath of fresh, if decidedly retro, air. The show's second series, once again starring Welsh comedian Mike Bubbins, continues the story of a man hilariously out of time.
A Man Frozen in More Ways Than One
The premise of Mammoth is straightforward but brilliant. Bubbins plays Tony Mammoth, a swaggering PE teacher who was buried in an avalanche during a school ski trip in 1979. Miraculously, he was unearthed 25 years later, his body and his staunchly 1970s worldview perfectly preserved. The first series saw him navigate fleeting fame before returning to his old school, where his dangerously outdated methods—like reviving playground game British Bulldog—clashed with the modern world.
The new three-episode run picks up with Mammoth adjusting to a major life revelation: his frequent irritant, the perpetually outraged Mel (played by Sian Gibson), is in fact his daughter, and her passive, video-game-loving son Theo (Joel Davison) is his grandson. He continues to cause headaches for fellow teacher Lucy while leaning on his old friend Roger (Joseph Marcell).
The Comedy of Unreconstructed Masculinity
The show's core joke remains the impeccable send-up of a certain type of masculinity. Mammoth dispenses terrible advice—suggesting dexedrine to his lifeguard grandson to stay alert—and holds ludicrous, half-century-long grudges over minor slights like a criticism of his parking. His confidence is unshakeable, his selfishness breathtaking, and his love for his Ford Capri, pipe-smoking, and a case of Cinzano is unwavering.
Yet, the comedy's real subversive power often lies in flipping the script. While we laugh at his offensive, outdated views, there's a genuine thrill when Mammoth's bewildered reactions to 2020s Britain hit the mark. His horror at a date's idea of a holiday—"doing yoga in a draughty hut before foraging for food in the forest"—resonates in a way that makes the audience complicit in his critique.
Nostalgia, Heart, and a Few Shortcomings
The series is fuelled by a heartfelt, authentic nostalgia for the 1970s, with Bubbins's own Ford Capri featuring prominently. This passion is shared by a new character, the much younger Michael (Al Roberts), who also fetishises the era, creating an unexpected bond. However, the show's spell is sometimes broken by inconsistent regional accents among the Welsh-set cast, and some supporting characters, like Mel's constant shrill intensity, can feel one-dimensional compared to the richly drawn lead.
The appeal of Mammoth rests almost entirely on Bubbins's broad, deadpan shoulders, and he carries it with immense charm and funny bones. By the end of this second short series, however, the central joke does risk wearing thin. The question becomes whether Mammoth will evolve or remain a glorious, politically incorrect relic. As the review posits, seeing him embrace safety, selflessness, and alcohol-free beer might be progress, but it would certainly rob the show of its unique, anachronistic fun.
Mammoth series two is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
