Dickie, a drag queen, appears to be lacking in certain essential qualities. His eyebrows are often carelessly drawn across his forehead, and during any intellectual exchanges, he struggles. However, he holds an overly inflated sense of self-worth. In the sitcom “Smoggie Queens,” created by comedian Phil Dunning and featuring Dickie, it becomes clear that this is not just about one individual. The show focuses on the theme of “chosen family” within LGBTQ+ communities.

“Discover the World of Dickie and His Drag Queen Clan”

Section 1: Dickie's Inadequacies

Dickie's inability to get his eyebrows right is just the tip of the iceberg. His every utterance is filled with bitchy energy, but when it comes to actual wit, he falters. His inflated sense of self-worth often leads him to make questionable decisions, such as trying to win back his boyfriend with a flat rendition of Make You Feel My Love. This showcases his vanity and delusion, as he fails to recognize his true lack of talent.In addition to his personal flaws, Dickie's relationship with his “clan” is also complex. He views the naive newbie Stewart with hostility due to his youth, while Mam, played by Mark Benton in a masterful disguise, shows kindness. Sal, the stony-faced wannabe singer, adds another layer to the group dynamics.

Section 2: The Middlesbrough Sitcom

“Smoggie Queens” is set in Middlesbrough and is an ensemble piece. It captures the British camp sensibility with its cheerfully shonky glam, deadpan humour, and cosy obscenity. After Dickie's car accident, he stages a wake, and later, there is a mesmerizing dance-off at a Titanic-themed drag brunch. The show takes pride in celebrating the UK's low-brow pop culture canon, from Lorraine Kelly to Girls Aloud.However, simply relying on these references cannot sustain a sitcom for six episodes. While the premise is timely and novel, the use of comedian Phil Dunning's trademark humour feels half-hearted. The cartoonishly vile Dickie, with his monotone drawl, might have worked as a dark grotesque, but the surrounding soppiness and schmaltz create a disconnect.

Section 3: The Comedy Conundrum

The sitcom genre is in a vulnerable state, and finding fault with a new sitcom like “Smoggie Queens” feels like a difficult task. Comedy is a harsh judge, and if it's not funny enough, it fails. “Smoggie Queens” is very sweet and creates a delightful world, but it lacks the punchlines of a mainstream crowd-pleaser or the transgressive shock value of a cult hit.There is a disturbing storyline involving Sal's abusive girlfriend, played by Charlotte Riley from “Peaky Blinders,” which adds some depth to the show. But overall, it is marooned in the middle, with impressive flamboyance but not enough actual laughs. It is a conventional sitcom that struggles to find the right balance between humour and sentiment.