Following the end of 'Father Ted', Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon graduated to his own vehicle, 'My Hero', in 2000 ( written by Paul Mendelson and Paul Mayhew Archer ) in which he played George 'Thermoman' Sunday. George is a health shop proprietor from Killarney who whenever danger arises, is transformed into a superhero named Thermoman. Just try and imagine Superman with Dougal McGuire's brain and you should be able to get an idea what 'My Hero' was like.
George ( as Thermoman ) meets sexy nurse Janet Dawkins when he saves her life after she is blown by a freak gust of wind into the Grand Canyon whilst on holiday. George is keen to get to know Janet but does not want her to know that he is a superhero. Eventually, he comes clean and the two end up courting and later getting married, much to the dismay of Janet's parents Ella ( who in terms of snobbery could give Hyacinth Bucket a run for her money ) and Stanley, who never find out of George's alter ego.
Janet works at Northolt Health Centre under the smarmy Dr. Piers Crispin, whose receptionist is the frosty faced Miss. Raven. Other characters include George's Canadian cousin and former superhero Arnie and Janet's space cadet neighbour Tyler.
It was corny, predictable stuff, but very funny. O'Hanlon's George is not far removed from Dougal McGuire. Emily Joyce as Janet made a good foil for George. Also hilarious were Philip Whitchurch as Tyler, Tim Wylton as Stanley and Geraldine McNulty ( am I the only man in the world to find her sexy? ) as the obnoxious Miss. Raven. Lou Hirsch often got laughs as Arnie, who later had a thing going with Miss. Raven. Less amusing though were Lill Roughley as Ella and Hugh Dennis as Dr. Crispin. I just could not take to them.
Later in the series, George and Janet gave birth to Ollie ( voiced by Finlay Stroud ) and Cassie ( voiced by Madeline Mortimer ), who like their father, possessed super human powers. However, this didn't really do the show any favours.
After four amusing series, 'My Hero' went into decline with series five. You sensed that ideas were starting to run low. Series six ( which saw James Dreyfus cast as George following Ardal O'Hanlon's decision to quit ) was even worse. Viewers did not take to Dreyfus in the lead role and as a result it did not return for a seventh series. Overall, 'My Hero' was unassuming, good entertainment. Not widely remembered as a classic, but certainly a lot funnier than some that are.
George ( as Thermoman ) meets sexy nurse Janet Dawkins when he saves her life after she is blown by a freak gust of wind into the Grand Canyon whilst on holiday. George is keen to get to know Janet but does not want her to know that he is a superhero. Eventually, he comes clean and the two end up courting and later getting married, much to the dismay of Janet's parents Ella ( who in terms of snobbery could give Hyacinth Bucket a run for her money ) and Stanley, who never find out of George's alter ego.
Janet works at Northolt Health Centre under the smarmy Dr. Piers Crispin, whose receptionist is the frosty faced Miss. Raven. Other characters include George's Canadian cousin and former superhero Arnie and Janet's space cadet neighbour Tyler.
It was corny, predictable stuff, but very funny. O'Hanlon's George is not far removed from Dougal McGuire. Emily Joyce as Janet made a good foil for George. Also hilarious were Philip Whitchurch as Tyler, Tim Wylton as Stanley and Geraldine McNulty ( am I the only man in the world to find her sexy? ) as the obnoxious Miss. Raven. Lou Hirsch often got laughs as Arnie, who later had a thing going with Miss. Raven. Less amusing though were Lill Roughley as Ella and Hugh Dennis as Dr. Crispin. I just could not take to them.
Later in the series, George and Janet gave birth to Ollie ( voiced by Finlay Stroud ) and Cassie ( voiced by Madeline Mortimer ), who like their father, possessed super human powers. However, this didn't really do the show any favours.
After four amusing series, 'My Hero' went into decline with series five. You sensed that ideas were starting to run low. Series six ( which saw James Dreyfus cast as George following Ardal O'Hanlon's decision to quit ) was even worse. Viewers did not take to Dreyfus in the lead role and as a result it did not return for a seventh series. Overall, 'My Hero' was unassuming, good entertainment. Not widely remembered as a classic, but certainly a lot funnier than some that are.