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.
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.
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.
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.
