Phoneshop: "Man-a-man's a Wagamama Man!"

I'm not much of a watcher of TV, but when I do indulge I love me some comedy. Sitcoms UK and US, stand-up, you name it. Now, I'm a little late in coming across this gem, but I've just discovered E4's comedy, Phoneshop. Already on it's second series (which started yesterday night), I can see why it's been a hit. Set in (you guessed it), a phone shop) the comedy follows 6 main characters, two of whom have a penchant for the use of language best found in the "Urban dicitionary). Jerwayne and Ashley "Man-a-man" have fast become my favourite duo, frequently bursting out with hilarious urban lyrics that throw me back to school days, or conversations you might overhear on the bus between a group of today's teenagers.Aside from their hilarious use of language their cockiness, wit and banter had me in stitiches in the first episode from the first series.

Ashley "Man-a-man"

The first episode started with the duo walking back to the office from the cash machine after Jerwayne (right) exclaimed that he only had £20 to last him the whole week, this led to "Man-a-man" empathising with him by trying to discreetly share with him that "if he thought that was bad..." at this point he looks round to ensure no one is watching, then opens his "man bag" for Jerwayne to have a quick peek - after which Jerwayne exclaims a bit too loudly "OH MY DAYS...... SANGWICHES!!!!!" (sic) Evidently for this image conscious pair, bringing sandwiches to work must mean you are seriously broke (and yes by the way I mean the mis-spell "sangwiches).
Now to understand the "Manaman's a Wagamama man" quote, you have to watch yesterday's episode, which is a continuation of the pair's conversation about being broke. Hilarious sketch, I'm definitely tuned in every week. Phoneshop E4: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/phoneshop/episode-guide/series-2/episode-1

An Audience with Tracee Ellis-Ross

Despite a chilly, grey and drizzly Tuesday evening, a gathering of well groomed and dressed ladies and gents (including moi), have braved the weather in support of Tracee Ellis-Ross who will be promoting her new sitcom Reed between the lines in which she not only stars, but produces.

Huddled in the lobby of The May Fair hotel's Crystal Rooms, we all eagerly awaited an intimate evening of drinks, canapes and Q& A's with the delightful Tracee Ellis-Ross. A chatter of excitable women looking as though they were awaiting the long overdue reunion with an old girlfriend or sister, the admiring comments can be overheard from a couple of gents observing the publicity poster behind security featuring Tracee. 

Once doors open, we make our way down the stairs greeted by champagne at the bottom (ahh this is the life I beam to myself). As I take in the proceedings with a few friends, a modest list of who's who join us and eventually after an opportunity to enjoy the drinks, canapes and mingle, we are all ushered into the Crystal Rooms' auditorium. Once seated we are warmly greeted by the CEO of Soul Marketing (the organisation responsible for this wonderful evening), then eased to a pleasant surprise including a raucous comedy routine by the hilarious Felix Dexter and rendition of Born Again by Rene Byrd.

Before long, the moment we have all been waiting for................(drum roll)..... an introduction to the delectable Ms Ellis-Ross. Stepping onto the stage, she elegantly slips off her tuxedo style jacket to reveal a 50's inspired strapless monochrome print dress and 'to-die-for' red suede YSL pumps (*drooooooooool*). She mics up, takes a seat and the cameras and camera phones snap and flash away like crazy.

Having found fame through one of her better known roles as Joan Clayton in the long running US series Girlfriends, you can tell that a lot of the women in the auditorium felt as though they were sharing an evening with a girlfriend. Ms Ross was engaging (even asking for the house lights to be turned up for the duration of the evening so she could see everyone),warm, funny, down to earth and inspirational. Definitely and a great role model, who despite a legend for a mother, has certainly paved a path for herself.

Reed between the lines starts on BET on Tuesday 15th November 2011 @ 8.30pm GMT