Hang Ups is a British television sitcom co-written by and starring Stephen Mangan.[1] It was first broadcast on 8 August 2018 on Channel 4. The series is an adaptation of the American series Web Therapy.[1] Mangan portrays Dr Richard Pitt, a troubled therapist who decides to start quick-fire therapy sessions through a webcam. The show features a celebrity ensemble cast as Richard's patients.[1]

Hang Ups
GenreImprovisational comedy
Created byStephen Mangan
Robert Delamere
Based onWeb Therapy
by Lisa Kudrow
Don Roos
and Dan Bucatinsky
Written byStephen Mangan
Robert Delamere
Directed byRobert Delamare
StarringStephen Mangan
Opening theme"You're Dreaming" by Wolf Parade
ComposerRael Jones
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersKevin Loader
Stephen Mangan
ProducerLouise Delamere
Production companySlam Films
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release8 August (2018-08-08) –
12 September 2018 (2018-09-12)
Related
Web Therapy

Cast

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Pitt's therapy patients are portrayed by a large ensemble cast, including Harry Lloyd, Sarah Hadland, Lolly Adefope, Monica Dolan, David Bradley, Jo Joyner, David Tennant and Daisy Haggard.[2]

Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
11"Episode 1"Robert DelamereRobert Delamere & Stephen Mangan8 August 2018 (2018-08-08)1.62
Failed therapist Richard Pitt (Stephen Mangan) launches a career in web therapy at age 44 after the collapse of his previous practice. Working from home only provides £9,000 per year and proves chaotic due to interruptions from his wife Karen (Katherine Parkinson), friend Pete (Karl Theobald) and father Jeremy (Charles Dance), while the menacing Neil (Steve Oram) is chasing Richard for the money that he is owed.
22"Episode 2"Robert DelamereRobert Delamere & Stephen Mangan15 August 2018 (2018-08-15)0.91
Richard looks for a way to avoid the impending arrival of his alcoholic mother, but his siblings Katherine (Jessica Hynes) and Jon (Conleth Hill) fail to provide any support. Neil has a successful therapy session with Richard, but insists he must pay his debt.
33"Episode 3"Robert DelamereRobert Delamere & Stephen Mangan22 August 2018 (2018-08-22)0.72
Neil reveals a little too much about his dark past, which leaves Richard fearing for his life.
44"Episode 4"Robert DelamereRobert Delamere & Stephen Mangan29 August 2018 (2018-08-29)0.67
Richard's mother Maggie (Celia Imrie) has moved in and piles on the emotional devastation while Karen has her own problems at work.
55"Episode 5"Robert DelamereRobert Delamere & Stephen Mangan5 September 2018 (2018-09-05)0.62
Working from home starts to get the better of Richard, and with Karen away and uncontactable he has to keep his business running, arrange Ricky's (Fionn O'Shea) birthday party, and give therapy to clients, while the ongoing threat from Neil forces Richard to increase surveillance in the family home.
66"Episode 6"Robert DelamereRobert Delamere & Stephen Mangan12 September 2018 (2018-09-12)N/A
Mounting pressure from Neil forces Richard to make big decisions without Karen's knowledge. Arguments over Maggie's future culminate in them realising she is in fact missing, and clients unexpectedly turning up on the doorstep leaves Richard wondering if maybe he shouldn't have enjoyed himself quite so much at Ricky's party.

Reception

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The first episode of Hang Ups received a positive response from critics. The Telegraph awarded the premiere five stars, calling it a "wonderfully ribald treat",[3] while The Guardian praised it for managing "the rarest of TV feats: a UK adaptation that's every bit as good as the US original".[4] The Daily Express complimented the show for "successfully [using] comedy to shine light on the importance of mental health without crossing a line".[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Channel 4 orders therapist comedy Hang Ups with Stephen Mangan". British Comedy Guide. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  2. ^ Seddon, Dan (8 August 2018). "Viewers of Channel 4 comedy Hang Ups are raving about the show's impressive cast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  3. ^ Rees, Jasper (8 August 2018). "Hang Ups, episode 1 review: real therapists will roll their eyes but this comedy is a wonderfully ribald treat". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  4. ^ Woolaston, Sam (8 August 2018). "Hang Ups review – Stephen Mangan improv comedy is glorious TV therapy". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  5. ^ Mitchell, Molli (9 August 2018). "Hang Ups review: A very funny wake up call". The Express. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
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