The show has changed in other ways, too – nine 15-minute episodes have become four 25 minutes; where Man vs Bee was largely wordless, this is a more traditional comedy. There is still the cast of crack comic actors – Rosie Cavaliero, Ellie White and Ashley Jensen among them – and, naturally, there is still a segment involving dog poo. It may lack a few belly laughs, but it is thoroughly entertaining (and while you or I may not find Trevor being called “Mr Bin” particularly funny, my eight-year-old could hardly breathe).
While the show’s gentle “haves and have-nots” message feels a little superfluous, what works marvellously is Trevor. A man whom life has kicked in the face, who betrays not one ounce of bitterness. When he is faced with vulgar, ostentatious shows of wealth, he habitually responds with a warm, “Golly”. He is uncynical, and that makes Man vs Baby perfect family fare for Christmas. Who can resist a festive tale about the man no one wanted, who becomes the man everyone needs?
