The Miniature Wife

Viewers who like a nasty marriage comedy with real hurt under the jokes will get the most out of this, a shrunken War of the Roses. The laughs come from big visual gags, like Lindy hiding from her daughter, who turns up from college unannounced, while Les scrambles for an excuse. Elizabeth Banks plays Lindy's fear and anger straight in the middle of the farce.

The first few episodes are measured and take a while to turn funny, and the story runs on two timelines.