I have been waiting for a show similar to M*A*S*H*, a movie and TV series set in the Korean War, and as far as I am concerned there is none that has followed its tradition, of being able to provide laughter in a war setting. Do not mention Tropic Thunder, whilst I did love the movie, it wasn't set in a real war story, and of course it's an absurd comedy film that only Ben Stiller would work on.

Perhaps the British have produced an heir with Bluestone 42 (pronounced as "four-two") which is an 8-part comedy show about a British Bomb Disposal Unit deployed in Afghanistan. We don't know if this will be a single season run, so it will depend on its success for it to be commissioned for another season.

Let's just say it's "The Hurt Locker" gone crazy.

Made by the same writers of "Miranda", Episode One aired last night on BBC Three at 2200H and I have to admit even for some of the shallow jokes (like the Andy McNab joke) and too much banter, I look forward to watching the rest of the episodes.

The show also reflects a 21st Century British Military Unit, with women in more important roles, and the Chaplain being a Hot Female Vicar. Americans are just getting used to this arrangement in their military and they also get to be the subject of sick jokes like the obese CIA operative who joined them in a bomb disposal operation who was warned not to take off his helmet only to say he was used to it in Fallujah then got smacked with a bullet in the head by a Taliban sniper.

The show will be offensive to some, especially for those who have some harsh memories about Afghanistan, but the banter is real in British Military life as servicemen and women try to make light of the harsh duties they have to do whilst deployed to the frontlines.

I wonder if a British Airsoft Team called Bluestone 42 will arise from this show. I won't be surprised if one will pop-out and be seen during the Ground Zero Weekender this year.

If you're not in the UK and would want to watch the show. A DVD of all the 8 episodes is now on pre-order at Amazon.com.