Funny business

They are screen comedies with common ground but springing from different schools – one primary, one high; one tightly scripted, upbeat and optimistic; one improvised, awkward and sardonic.

Both Mean Mums and Educators are in their second seasons, with the spark they showed first time around very much intact. They are also a sign that our screen comedy is going through a good patch, even if such talent incubators as 7 Days and Jono and Ben have had the lights turned down or switched off.

is centred on the well-meaning but focuses on a high school where the staff room is a hive of human foibles.