Forget The Traitors. Alan Carr’s real genius is in Changing Ends

Might ITV presumably have timed the return of Altering Ends any higher? Loosely primarily based on the trials and tribulations of Alan Carr’s childhood, the coming-of-age sitcom largely flew underneath the radar for its first two sequence. However now that its co-creator has asserted himself as a brand new nationwide treasure through The Movie star Traitors, the ‘80s nostalgia-fest ought to deservedly reel in a a lot larger viewers.  

Like many of the 11+million viewers who frequently tuned into the BBC phenomenon, I’m nonetheless reeling from Carr’s really transformative show. This was a person who on day one appeared destined to surpass Linda as probably the most ineffective Traitor within the present’s historical past, his flustered manner and non-existent poker face suggesting he’d be banished faster than you’ll be able to say “Claudia Winkleman’s fringe.” 

But because of his splendidly disarming sense of humour – and, let’s be sincere, the remarkably clueless Faithfuls – Carr regularly evaded banishment, and any vital suspicion, in flip growing a confidence which introduced out his interior ruthless murderer. His closing reveal, so surprising it actually introduced Nick Mohammed to his knees, is undoubtedly one of many defining popcultural moments of 2025.

Altering Ends may not present something fairly as dramatic. But with the ‘Specstacular’ comic as its author, supply of inspiration and on-screen, fourth wall-breaking narrator, that is pure 100% Carr. Certainly, there’s no convoluted group building-style challenges or cursive gothic covers of pop songs to interrupt the comic’s move right here. The fingerprints that famously left a mark on Paloma Religion’s face are throughout every scene.  

Removed from a one-man present

After all, the comedy is much from a one-man present. In truth, it rests upon the shoulders of somebody who wasn’t even born when the primary sequence of Chatty Man aired. Fortunately, Oliver Savell is nothing in need of a revelation as an adolescent Alan. Nailing his mannerisms with out ever resorting to caricature, his portrayal – robbed of victory at this yr’s BAFTAs by Danny Dyer – is so completely convincing you begin to query whether or not 16 years in the past Carr secretly fathered a love little one. 

Fortunately, Savell is simply as magnetic now he’s “grown a foot, dropped two octaves and unbeknownst to me, heading into a brand new period, my saucy one.” Sure, the 1989-set third sequence finds a now-teenage Alan attending to grips with every little thing from puberty to the heady thrills of pet love.  

Jake (Austin Taylor), an athletic classmate and part-time employee on the Athena retailer (“Woolies for perverts”) Alan spends his Saturdays bunking off swimming classes at, is the article of his affections. And the present brilliantly captures that section when each innocuous transfer – the present of a free keyring, for instance – could be misinterpreted as an indication of eternal dedication. Alan’s googly-eyed infatuation will little doubt set off excruciating recollections for anybody whose crush was blatantly out of their league.  

Alan’s pining is sophisticated additional by the actual fact it’s in direction of the identical intercourse. This being a light-hearted mainstream sitcom and all, the homophobia displayed is strictly of the gentle selection. In truth, not like his boneheaded pals, Jake handles all of the undesirable affection with grace and empathy. Nonetheless, it doesn’t overlook the awkwardness and disguising that’s typically required whereas rising up queer.     

I might notably relate to the panic which units in every time requested who you fancy (“Erm, Georgie, she’s erm formidable,” Alan responds whereas scouring the playground for a satisfying reply). Then there’s the peer strain whenever you’re compelled to behave on it (“Ooh, it’s like being in a soup with two attractive croutons”, comes the chat-up line when he finds himself in a swimming pool with Georgie and her pal). Carr could effectively have exaggerated such conditions for comedian impact, but they’re evidently born from a spot of reality. 

It’s the identical for Alan’s relationship with dad Graham (Shaun Dooley), now flying excessive because the a number of Supervisor of the Month-winning coach of Northampton FC. There’s by no means any doubt about Carr Snr.’s love for his son. However there’s nonetheless an undercurrent of poisonous masculinity and abject disappointment every time his eldest strays from the football-supporting, girl-chasing norms. Even when Alan discovers a new-found expertise for darts, his father stays distinctly unimpressed (“Not a sport”). It’s these semi-autobiographical dynamics which guarantee a much more multi-layered watch than your common sitcom. 

Bringing the humorous

For sure, Altering Ends’ final purpose is to make folks chuckle, one thing of a rarity in an period when most comedies overlook to deliver the humorous. And there are many laugh-out-loud moments within the first two episodes obtainable for assessment.  

There’s one other hilarious passive-aggressive dispute between Alan’s mum (Nancy Sullivan), now firmly leaning into her standing as a WAG, and nosy neighbour Gabby (Angela Hudson), this time centred across the motivations behind a free biscuit. The previous’s sizzling mess of a sister Terri (Kelli Shirlie) makes an prompt impression with a babysitting stint that includes a dodgy copy of Fairly Lady and the world’s most inedible rooster curry. Whereas Gary (Taylor Fay) will get extra to do that time round, saving his older brother from a near-drowning with the well-placed disposing of a pool-clearing chocolate bar.  

Unsurprisingly, although, it’s Alan, in each incarnations, who get the very best one-liners. “You possibly can’t put on a shell go well with, you would possibly meet a minor Royal,” the fictional model tells Gary in pleasure of a visit to the West Finish which, a lot to his disdain, will get downgraded to a flat roof pub night time in Barnet. “I believed girls have been a bit like olives. They flip your abdomen at first however when you persevere, you be taught to like them,” quips the true Carr in one in all a number of from-the-future asides.  

The present additionally masters the specificity of the period, from the well-chosen needle drops (Gloria Estefan’s “Get On Your Toes,” Internal Metropolis’s “Good Life”) and technological considerations (“I’m not phoning a cell. You would possibly as effectively stick your head in your microwave”) to the value moans which proves how fortunate drinkers of the Thatcher years had it (“£1.20 for a pint? They’re taking the mick”). 

Do away with the run-of-the-mill soccer boardroom scenes and this might be hailed as an all-time traditional. 

Do you have to watch Altering Ends?

If you happen to’ve watched the primary two sequence of Altering Ends, then the third is not going to disappoint. If you happen to’re a newcomer, you’ve now obtained a complete of 18 joyous episodes to binge.

Carr – who could have his choose of latest automobiles within the wake of his The Traitors triumph – already has aggressive sequence Secret Genius and a stint on the second sequence of LOL: UK lined up for the close to future. Let’s simply hope he nonetheless finds the time to maintain mining comedian gold from his previous.  

Altering Ends is rolling out episodes each Sunday on ITV from 23 November 2025, however followers also can stream the third sequence in its entirety on ITVX that very same day.