Quacks (2017)

If you mixed the Victorian soap opera Upstairs, Downstairs (1971-1975) with the hospital sitcom Scrubs (2001-2010) together, you’d come up with Quacks (2017). Based on actual medical practices of the 19th century, this small screen romp takes a comical look at British physicians who had some unsanitary habits. With episodes entitled “The Duke’s Tracheotomy” and “The Lady’s Abscess” you know you’re in for a bloody good time. In addition to depicting suggestive surgeries, the cutting edge comedy covers real life people from celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale (Millie Thomas) to iconic author Charles Dickens (Andrew Scott). Yet the star of the satyrical series is Rory Kinnear as a showman surgeon who smokes while performing public operations! The cast also includes Lydia Leonard, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, and Rupert Everett. Beloved by most critics, this well-received show has been compared to Blackadder (1983-1989) starring Rowan Atkinson and Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-1974) featuring  Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones. Of course, these funnymen have got nothing on Mathew Baynton. As a bloke named William, the uninhibited actor reveals his rump during the fourth episode of Quacks. How cheeky! If that’s not skintastic enough, the silly saga also shows off the fleshy chest on the Bishop of Lambeth (Roger Ashton-Griffiths) in episode five. At the risk of repetition, the same can be said of John (Tom Basden) who flashes his abs in the sack. Such titillating performances make history (and the members on audience members) come to life!