My Hero
|
|
My Hero is a British comedy about a superhero named Thermoman from the planet Ultron. He is the alter ego of George Sunday (played by Ardal O'Hanlon), who has a romantic relationship with Janet Dawkins (played by Emily Joyce). They later marry and have children. It debuted in February 2000 on BBC One, and has had five series with a total of forty-three regular episodes as of 2005. An additional Christmas special was broadcast in December 2000.
In 2002, a DVD was released, featuring the first five episodes of the third series, plus actor biographies and out-takes. Re-runs air in the UK on UKTV Gold. In the United States, this show replaced A Fine Romance in the PBS British Comedy line up in 2004.
| Contents |
Characters
George Sunday/Thermoman
George Eamon Sunday is an Irish shopkeeper and the alter ego of Thermoman, a world famous superhero. He owns a health food store but tries to avoid attracting customers in orer to avoid attention. Only his closest friends know his true identity. The reason he appears to be an idiot is because he is unfamiliar with Earth culture. His speech and behavior create much of the humour in the show. He is played by Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon.
Janet Dawkins
Janet Charlotte Dawkins Sunday is the voice of sanity, a nurse in the Northolt Health Centre. Janet was born in 1969. She first meets Thermoman when he rescues her from certain death after she fell into the Grand Canyon whilst on holiday. Although she loves George/Thermoman, she is frequently exasberated and confused by his behavior. She is played by Emily Joyce.
Ollie
Apollo 11 "Ollie" Sunday is the son of George and Janet, and was born at the end of Series 2. He also has superhuman powers, although they are somewhat limited. He takes more of a back seat in Series 5, as he fights the sibling rivalry wars with his sister Cassie. His voice is supplied by Finlay Stroud.
Cassie
Cassandra “Cassie” Sunday is the Sunday's newest member of the family, as was born at the beginning of the fifth series. Her only superpower is that she can see into the future. This proved to be of little use as she once thought that the whole Northern Hemisphere was dead when they were really asleep. This led to chaos as everyone flocked to Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere, as they were still awake/alive. She is voiced by Madeline Mortimer.
Piers
Dr. Piers Crispin is Janet's boss and "Britain's favourite TV doctor," though he is not a good doctor (in one episode he accidentally revealed to Janet that he faked his A-Level results to get into medical school) and is more concerned with his television career. To boost his image he has tried things such as releasing his own health drink, sponsoring a tiger cub in Bangladesh (because it was cheaper than sponsoring a child and the tiger was more photogenic), writing a book, supporting a healthy eating campaign in schools, and even appearing on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!. His catchphrase in the early series was "I am always here". The narcissistic character is played by actor/writer Hugh Dennis.
Arnie
Arnie Kowalski is George's cousin, originally a superhero himself, called Polarman, he lost his powers because he began charging for his services. In one episode he got his powers back from the Ultron Council, and became the new hero in town, as it were, making George feel redundant. He had them taken back off him though, when he was caught stealing from the people he saved. In series one he lived in New York, where he owned a café, but moved to Las Vegas in Series 2, where he owned a casino and to Northolt in Series 3, where he has remained ever since. Currently in a relationship with Mrs. Raven, he is played by Lou Hirsch.
Mrs. Raven
Mrs. Raven, played by Geraldine McNulty, is the sadistic and misanthropic receptionist in Northolt Health Centre. She has a romantic relationship with Arnie, has triplets from a previous relationship, and despises them no end. Mrs. Raven often says snide comments about people while they are present and seems to pride herself on scaring away potential patients. She often gets the better of her boss Peers Crispin.
Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins
Stanley Dawkins (Tim Wylton) and Ella Dawkins (Lill Roughley) are Janet's parents. Mrs. Dawkins is a typical mother-in-law and thinks Janet should have married Piers and hasn't quite got over it. She dislikes George, believing him to be an idiot and loser. Janet's father, Stanley, humorously complains all the time about his wife and is rather suspicious of George and all other men who are anywhere near his daughter. He seems to be a bit more tolerant of George, as he's had a few good times with him.
Tyler
Tyler (Philip Whitchurch) is Janet and George's crazy neighbour. He knows of George's real identity, but often seems to have his own, even more bizarre ideas and theories about the universe. For instance, he often claims that Gandalf, Frodo, and other fictional characters are staying in his house. George initially denied Tylers claims that he is Thermoman, but reveals the truth to him later in the series. Tyler also helps out at George's shop. He is often left to look after the kids, but more often than not, they end up looking after him. Tyler often refers to George as "Master".
Notable Errors
- In the episode "Little Green Man," it is established Ultronians turn green when they become jealous, but, in the episode "Nemesis," George is clearly jealous, yet he doesn't turn green.
- In Series 2, Episode 1, George says that he is 842 years old. But at the start of Series 3, Episode 4, "The Older Man", George is celebrating his 327th birthday.
External links
- British Sitcom Guide (http://www.sitcom.co.uk/my_hero/)
- Phill.co.uk Comedy Guide (http://www.phill.co.uk/comedy/hero/)
- BBC Comedy Guide (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/myhero_66602550.shtml)