96 - Chewing Gum Comedy Slab

This week we review - Chewing Gum (Series 1 Episode 3)

In Chewing Gum, Michaela Coel plays Tracey Gordon, a religious Beyoncé-obsessed 22-year-old who is fast finding out that the more she learns about the world, the less she understands.

Tracey and her mates are in their early twenties, living in an estate in Tower Hamlets, east London. Some of them have full time jobs, some are in uni, some are already parents. But really - they are all stuck. Stuck in their youth and still trying to coast through their days with minimum responsibility. Future plans don't extend much beyond saving up for the latest pair of trainers, a new car, or a Cambodian Weave. They live in the moment.

Tracey, however, seems capable of more. But growing up in a strict religious environment means she is 'underdeveloped' in many areas, and so her path into adulthood has been... interesting. She is wise, but innocent, genuflecting equally to both her idols - Beyoncé and Jesus. Living in a swiftly changing London, we watch as she crashes her way through what she should and shouldn't be doing.

Written by Michaela Coel
Produced by Kelly McGolpin, John Pocock and Michaela Coel
Directed by Tom Marshall and Simon Neal
A Retort Production For Channel 4.
Chewing Gum is available to buy here: https://bit.ly/3elCDeZ

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