Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything is the title of Sky Comedy’s flippant new show, and it’s true – the eponymous Ms Molloy, played by Sheridan Smith, really does need to give up everything. A single woman best described as a functioning alcoholic and a chronic substance abuser, she arrives, unsteadily, at a crossroads in her life. Her relationships are a mess, too. She’s just drunkenly wrecked the wedding of her brother and learned that her father (Ardal O’Hanlon, ex-Father Ted, and at his charming best) is dying of heart disease. Rosie finds it difficult to accept the concept of “terminal”. It’s time for Rosie to grow up and sober up. Can she? Will she?
We do want to find out, because the Rosie character is a sort of tipsy everywoman; we all know what it’s like when we find ourselves drinking a bit too much, or know someone with such tendencies. In her own words, “All I do is party”. In the case of Rosie, the task to reform is a formidable one. She’s surrounded by people who love her, but perhaps too readily indulge her, such as well-meaning flatmate Nico (Oliver Wellington). In a moment of self-discovery, she places herself in the care of Mel (Stevie Martin), a serene yoga instructor that she met in a bar (naturally). “Please, Mel, fix me. I need help,” she pleads. Mel offers the hope of redemption through mild exercise and meditation, and Rosie sets down a list of the stuff she needs to jettison: “Speed, booze, benzos, opiates, skunk, uppers, z-drugs, Baileys ice cream...” It’s comical, in the darkest kind of way.
