Last Night of the Proms (2021) User Reviews (17)

Off the wall, but fun.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 20 June 2021]

This episode rounds the series off nicely, not the funniest, but pretty poignant, one I enjoyed.

Very much a political statement, we have it all here, the conflicts felt in every household around the country are on display here, remainers and leavers, proud Brits, and those ashamed by this great Country's past (Yes, it wasn't all bad.)

It seemed to address one or two things that seem to be happening in Britain right now. It's almost frowned upon these days to be a proud Brit, so many try to scupper that thinking, lots of messages here that you can interpret in different ways.

Great to see Sarah Parish appear on the show, she was excellent as always.

Stacked full of Britishness, Union Jacks, Old Charm Furniture, Royal Doulton figurines. They went to town here.

It's not going to be one that will have a mass appeal, I think it's one that will appeal more so to those with an interest in politics and the state of the nation, for what it's worth I quite liked it.

Surreal fun, 7/10.

Green and Pleasant Land

[southdavid · 7/10 · 15 June 2021]

The sixth season of "Inside Number 9" comes to a close, unfortunately not with the customary horror episode that I've come to look forward too, but with a strange tale, mixed with some political satire.

A family come together to watch the Last Night of the Proms on the BBC. Family patriarch, Ralph (Julian Glover) is in his dotage, only capable of the occasionally rude outburst. His daughter Dawn (Sarah Parish) and her husband Mick (Steve Pemberton), leave voters and proud patriots live in the house and look after him. Dawn's sister Penny (Debra Gillett), unfulfilled with her marriage to smug, closeted Brian (Reece Shearsmith) is also present, along with their son Oliver (Jack Wolfe). Then an unexpected visitor appears in the garden.

I'm not sure about this one, if I'm honest. I think I get the point (thought I haven't listened to any of the accompanying podcasts for the series). I assume that it was that Brexit and the post Brexit squabbling is so destructive that any good, or even the ultimate good, would be lost to a wave of nationalistic nonsense and petty racism. (That would be a sentiment I would agree with). However, the episode, particularly after the midpoint, was a bit too busy with the family infighting not meshing with the visitor storyline particularly well and not funny enough for my taste. There were some good lines in the first half though, almost all from Reece's character snidely but accurately describing the theatrics of the Last night of the proms as being "Rocky Horror for retired schoolteachers".

I mean, probably the weakest episode of this run but as I've said in other reviews, their weakest episodes are better than most peoples strongest. This season as a whole was pretty strong, with (and I know that many don't agree with me) "Wurthering Heist" as the standout. It's a long wait now to see if we get another Halloween special.

Last Night of the Proms (S06Ep06)

[jackbryant-00743 · 7/10 · 14 June 2021]

A decent episode, not my favourite of the series. Once again the acting across the board was amazing.

Sometimes horror is in the mundane

[Hazelwoc · 19 August 2021]

A difficult episode for many English to watch. If you are American imagine this played out by republicans and a Mexican. Contrary to that which many Englishmen might want to believe this was however not a political statement. Politics is only a mirror of the defining forces within a country at any one time.

The banality and self satisfying smugness of the key players was a joy to watch. Their combined ignorance fueled by spite ire resentment and jealously cascading them to a conclusion that they neither cared about nor understood.

In the end this episode stood out like a mundane episode from the league of gentlemen.

This is were the true horror lies, when life in England imitates art.

Open to Interpretation

[srrrrdjw · 6/10 · 31 March 2023]

The lowest rated episode at this time, which makes some sense (but not much). What I can understand is that 1. As an American some uniquely British references don't translate and 2. While some of the episodes are much weaker, I'm sure some people felt strongly about them while there isn't much here to be enthusiastic about. Has a contemplative nostalgia. Introspective and peppered with references to culture and religion, it is surprisingly memorable nonetheless. I hope it gets some love before the next series debut and if you're watching the old episodes in a predetermined order you have been warned that while there are a few swings and misses, this was more along the lines of light contact.

Last Night of the Proms

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 13 February 2022]

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith round off the series with a misanthropic political episode.

A picture of Post Brexit Britain. It takes potshots at both the left and the right.

Penny and Dawn are sisters who hold a viewing party each year to celebrate the Last Night of the Proms.

Dawn and her husband Mick are proud leave voters, they have got their country back. They live with her father Ralph who has dementia, shouts profanities and whose house they all have attended.

Penny is sexually frustrated as her pedantic remainer husband Brian shows more interest in men and watching Drag Race.

While they watch the concert on television, the atmosphere gets nastier mainly due to Brian's waspish tongue.

It takes a macabre turn when a mysterious middle eastern stranger Yusef (whose anglicised name is Joseph) walks in the house.

Penny who sexually molested him earlier thinks Yusef might be the second coming. Brian also takes an opportunity cop a quick feel of him.

Ralph though thinks the stranger is the angel of death who has come to take him away and takes drastic action.

The story did not really work for me and was incoherent. The best bit was Brian explaining the traditions related to the Last Night of the Proms. An event that is so full of false bonhomie and patriotism.

Interestingly it is Little Englanders Dawn and Mick who are nice to the foreigner who has wandered in.

In the end they all put aside their differences and come together to cover up a murder. Maybe that was the message from Pemberton and Shearsmith. The country is now showing its dark heart underneath the pomp and circumstance.

PATRIOTISM VS NATIONALISM

[garybulmer-32925 · 10/10 · 16 June 2021]

This episode was amazing, it had so many layers, maybe I'm a bit thick but it took me a couple watches to fully get everything. Once I did the episode became even more enjoyable. Acting was phenomenal, there was a good message and a very very original storyline.

Episode 606

[bobcobb301 · 3/10 · 14 July 2021]

Maybe it is me being an American and not getting into the Proms event, but this just didn't feel good enough. A few funny jokes like the "no hard feelings" bit, but just not up to snuff for what we're used to from this show.

Rule Britannia

[heathrobertj · 10/10 · 15 June 2021]

This, in my opinion, is one of the strongest episodes these two geniuses have ever written. This episode was not about the twist at all, in fact, doesn't really have one. It is revealed around the second third that Yusuf is the second coming of Jesus like the song "A New Jerusalem". But in the end, they kill Yusuf, because of their pride of their nationalism. The ending is left ambiguous, which is a good thing. Did Penny commit suicide over her abusive husband? Was it all in Penny's head? Or did Jesus forgive her after all they have done? Those questions are up to the viewers. 10/10.

Poor

[flangecranker · 2/10 · 13 July 2021]

Didn't find it amusing or funny at all I'm afraid a great shame. Keep politics and personal political beliefs out of it, you are supposed to be comedians telling a story - not subtly pushing your beliefs down people's throats.

Here We Go Again--English Patriotism In The Firing Line

[johnwakeman-1 · 1/10 · 21 June 2021]

Truly awful.

Why is it only the English are vilified and pilloried--and by their own countrymen I may add--for being patriotic? Usually by the left wing intelligentsia and so called comedians.

I know of no other nation where this is the case--not even other parts of the UK. Nobody ever knocks the Scots or the Welsh or the Irish. Look at St. Patrick's Day--is anything more patriotic than that? It is celebrated worldwide. But just you try criticising them for it. Go on, I dare you.

Brilliant as ever.

[evansp-39777 · 10/10 · 21 July 2021]

All cleverly done and brilliantly acted. Sarah Parrish looking even more beautiful than usual.

PLEASE STOP!!!!

[13Funbags · 1/10 · 23 June 2021]

I don't have the will power to stop watching a once great show that has been getting worse with every episode for the last 3 years. Please stop making these and spare us the shame.

Okay I see now...

[fingazmc · 10/10 · 22 June 2022]

I have to admit this is a 8.5 episode for me, but the score needs to be brought up a bit.

I couldn't understand why this scored so low until I checked the reviews. It's people who think that it's having a go at being proud to be British, it's far from it. If you think that's the main point of the episode then you're completely wrong and I'd advise re-watching it until you see all the many layers.

Now personally I loved this episode, I've never seen the proms before, but I do know people who like that kind of thing.

I found it funny, entertaining and I don't know if it's because I'm religious but the first time I saw it I actually got goose bumps and shed an adrenaline tear.

Ignore the low rating, it's just people getting agitated and confused about the subject matter.

Get it watched!

So that was the twist I guess

[safenoe · 4/10 · 4 January 2023]

So I guess the twist in this "sharp" Brexit-themed episode of Inside No. 9 was that the ardent remainer (played one dimensionally by Reece Shearsmith) is a pure racist? Okay, I guess so, and worthy of the other Inside No. 9 gallery of twists I guess init.

This episode is all about British (or English) patriotism through and through and all embodied in the Last Night of the Proms and its British traditions and all, with Brexit being re-litigated . But really, if Pemberton and Shearsmith were more attuned, perhaps they could have had Pemberton's staunch Brexiteer struggling to get to the NHS (which is truly British) care after being accidentally popped in the eye with a champagne cork, and Shearsmith riposting, "Well there's 350 million reasons why the NHS has failed you". But that would have upset the woke brexiteers really init.

I guess you have to be British

[Joseph-Molion · 4/10 · 21 September 2023]

I guess to get this episode, you have to be a Brit. The only thing that made any sense at all was the lady with the guy in the garden; and that was only because she was feeling amorous, and we've all had that happen from time to time in our lives.

The whole proms thing? Meh. No idea. I'm sure this whole thing made sense to citizens of the UK, but as a Yank, I was completely lost.

LOL... I just caught a part of the episode where they said "It's a concert by English people for English people".

Describes this episode too, in my opinion.

I gave it four stars because I'm sure it's a fine episode, and probably made sense to the folks it was written for.

Voted for brexit, still agree with my vote like the majority and this episode is still funny.

[AlphaBravoCheesecake · 8/10 · 25 January 2022]

It may hit nerves if you can't take it for what it is for but it did make me laugh out loud throughout watching it all. Well acted, funny, great acting and a great story. Very good overall.