The Life Doctor

115270 original

One would think that the plethora of exploitative and emotionally manipulative "life guru" shows currently clogging up our TV screens (see Channel 4's Virgin School, or Wife Swap) would provide prime fodder for the adept satirist. Unfortunately, The Life Doctor proves that in the hands of less skilled writers, a play about reality TV can be almost as difficult to watch as the subject itself.

This inconsistent show sees our smarmy eponymous host take on three "hopeless cases" with a view to improving their lives. During its first twenty minutes, the show just about holds together, garnering some good laughs from the protagonist's wildly insensitive treatment of a shy young man who's unlucky in love. However, its theatrical blueprint soon wears thin, as with each new guest, The Life Doctor re-tells the same joke, each time with less wit and conviction.

The Life Doctor is not totally without merit, but occasional instances are not enough to remedy a laboured and inconsistent whole.