Watch The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle

The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle, a satirical sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders and Tanya Byron, originally aired on BBC Two in 2007. The six-part series starred Saunders in the lead role, alongside popular British actors such as Miranda Richardson, Conleth Hill, and Jason Watkins.

The show followed the chaotic personal and professional life of Vivienne Vyle, a talk show host whose ratings have recently plummeted. Desperate to regain her popularity, Vivienne turns to a controversial therapist named Dr. Jonathan Fowler (Hill) who encourages her to be more outrageous on air. This leads to several cringe-worthy moments on her talk show, where she invites guests with extreme views and makes inappropriate comments, all in the name of boosting ratings.

The show highlights the cut-throat nature of the entertainment industry, and how far people are willing to go for fame and recognition. Vivienne's producers, Helena (Richardson) and Murray (Watkins), are constantly scheming to get ahead and manipulate their guests and Vivienne for their own benefit. Vivienne's issues with alcohol and men also play a significant role in her personal and professional struggles, as she repeatedly sabotages her own success.

Saunders delivers an outstanding performance as Vivienne Vyle, capturing the character's narcissism and insecurity in equal measure. The writing is sharp and witty, with Saunders and Byron poking fun at celebrity culture, reality TV, and the superficial nature of talk shows. The show also parodies subjects such as public relations, sex addiction, religion, racism, and drug addiction.

One of the standout episodes of the series is "The Beast in Me", where Vivienne's former husband, Pete (Andrew Buchan), a recovering drug addict, is invited onto the show to talk about drug addiction. The episode is a biting commentary on the exploitative nature of talk shows and the media's tendency to sensationalize stories about addiction. Saunders delivers a powerful performance, capturing both the trauma and pain of addiction while also exposing the hypocrisy of the talk show format.

The supporting cast also does an excellent job, with Richardson providing a refreshing counterbalance to Vivienne's ego-driven antics. Hill is suitably creepy as the manipulative therapist, while Watkins provides some comic relief as the morally-questionable producer who will do anything to get ahead. The show also features several notable guest stars, including Graham Norton, Sandi Toksvig, and Jo Brand.

Despite the show's critical acclaim, The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle only aired for one season. However, it remains a cult favorite among fans of satirical comedies, and has been praised for its sharp writing, strong performances, and biting commentary on modern culture. It also serves as a reminder of Saunders' incredible talents as a writer and performer, and her ability to create complex and flawed characters that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Overall, The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle is a smart, edgy, and hilarious satire that offers a scathing critique of the entertainment industry and the dangers of chasing fame at all costs. With its sharp writing, excellent performances, and biting commentary, it remains a classic of British comedy and a must-watch for all fans of the genre.

The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between September 7, 2008 and on BBC