Frauds are at the fore in this week's instalment of the pleasingly superannuated west London comedy. Phil (John Cleese) self-combusts on realising that Wendy's book of animal stories mirrors his own life, and social services spring a surprise on scammer Roger by giving him what he wanted - almost.

Why the Life of Brian was so controversial

Today is the 40th anniversary of the world premiere of the film Life of Brian, the Monty Python team's very irreverent take on religion which shocked many people when it was first released but is now accepted as a classic of British cinema.

How Monty Python saved my life (maybe)

Monty Python - punk before the Sex Pistols - remains the greatest television comedy of all time, writes Aidan Smith.

Season two of the star-packed sitcom about a silvery couple having their retirement plans upended continues. After last week's dire house viewing, fastidious Phil (John Cleese) has vanished, which is probably just as well since daffy Roger (Jason Watkins) has jumped headlong into the Airbnb market. Farcical, fitful fun.

With its superstar cast and older target audience, you might expect this sitcom to be smoothly executed. Instead, it is wilfully erratic, veering between wacky oddness and gentle, joke-free patter. Series two opens with grumpy Phil (John Cleese) making a hash of selling his house.

Hold The Sunset makes Mrs Brown look like a masterpiece

Retiree romcom Hold The Sunset (BBC One) returned for a second series but I rather wish it had sailed off into its titular twilight. Instead, almost in the words of The Honeycombs' best-known song, it came right back and I just can't bear it.

John Cleese's irascible headteacher is flattened by time's winged chariot in Christopher Morahan's slight, but achingly funny, comedy, scripted by Michael Frayn. Heading for a conference in Norwich, Brian boards the wrong train and is soon deep in a travel nightmare horribly familiar to rail users everywhere.

John Cleese criticised for London comments

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised John Cleese after the Fawlty Towers legend said the capital was "not really an English city any more".

The former Monty Python star tweeted: "Virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation. So there must be some truth in it..."

John Cleese reflects on his career

From Monty Python to A Fish Called Wanda, actor and funnyman John Cleese has kept us laughing for half a century but his career path was not initially leading toward comedy. He was on a path toward being a lawyer advising the Bank of England. Jon Erlichman speaks with Cleese in Toronto where he is performing as part of a North American tour.