It's hard to say whether it’s the animatronic talking penis, the fake DD boobs or the cartoonish plot that grabs the most attention, but Pam & Tommy is a mad, eccentric show that will split opinion.
Incredibly, the Disney+ show is based on the true story of when Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s sex tape went viral, but this 1995 event is dragged out into eight 45-minute episodes.
It’s a retelling of a headline shocker moment, played with bizarre comedy, cliched characters and about as much depth as a puddle.
Lily James, best known for sweet-as-pie roles like Cinderella, plays the Baywatch star, clearly determined to cast aside cutesy typecasting.
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She is dramatically transformed into the iconic sex object, with simpering voice, bleach-blonde hair and a fake chest piece so impressive, it very nearly upstages her.
Sebastian Stan, aka Marvel’s Bucky Barnes, plays Motley Crue drummer Tommy, who makes a brilliant entrance in a tiny thong, beer in one hand, cigarette in the other, ‘MAYHEM’ tattooed across his chest, nipple piercings glistening.
The shock wears off after a while as he spends most of his time like this.
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It’s 20 minutes before we finally see Pam (and she’s barely in it until episode two), but it’s memorable. She’s crawling on the kitchen floor in a skimpy T-shirt and thong (no bra), backside fully on display.
Sex and nudity drives the show, with one bizarre scene involving Tommy having a heart-to-heart with his penis. Which talks back, thus rendering the entire ‘tender’ moment ridiculous.
Seth Rogan, sporting an admirable 80s porn-star hairdo, plays wronged carpenter Rand Gaulthier, who ultimately steals the couple’s safe as ‘compensation’ for Tommy’s abhorrent behaviour.
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The plot flashes back and forth from Pam and Tommy’s first meeting, through to their whirlwind wedding, the sex tape release and aftermath.
It has a great soundtrack and the cast, including Nick Offerman as porn producer Uncle Miltie and Taylor Schilling as Rand’s ex Erica, is compelling.
But from the mega-signposted plot twists to the cartoony stereotypes and odd levered-in reflective moment, this is a hedonistic ride that doesn’t quite go below the surface.
Pam & Tommy premieres with three episodes on Disney+ on Wednesday 2 February.