Follow-up to BBC Four's spoof rockumentary, starring Simon Day as Peter Gabriel. Sorry, as Brian Pern, the ex-frontman of progressive rock band Thotch. Brian has been persuaded by his manager (Michael Kitchen) that a bankable way forward for him and his former bandmates is a new "jukebox musical" of Thotch music, in the vein of We Will Rock You. Paul Whitehouse and Nigel Havers are great as Brian's colleagues, but it's surely Gabriel who comes out of this best, for not trying to sue.

Radio Times review

The gloriously silly spoof documentary from Down the Line star Rhys Thomas may have grown up with a move from BBC Four to BBC Two - even if its lead character, played by Fast Show alumnus Simon Day, certainly has not. There's also a slight format change. Pern, former front man of fictional prog rock band Thotch, no longer narrates and this opener is more of a spoof arts doc fronted by Thomas and focusing on Stowe Boys, a West End rock musical about the band directed by Kathy Burke. What could go wrong? Well, everything of course.

Yes, it clearly owes a debt to Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest's 1984 masterpiece, but Thomas (who won a Rose d'Or for a Freddie Mercury documentary) has a scalpel-sharp eye for rock-star foibles. And there are joyous contributions once again from Michael Kitchen as Pern's fantastically arrogant and unpleasant manager John Farrow, Paul Whitehouse as the band's guitarist Pat Quid and Nigel Havers's priapic Tony Pebblé (pronounced "Peblay").

Simon Day & Rhys Thomas on life with Brian Pern

This week sees the launch of Brian Pern: A Life in Rock on BBC Two. The mockumentary focuses on prog-rock singer Brian Pern, as he attempts to adapt to life after fronting one of rock's biggest bands. Featuring a host of big name guest stars, the show is an absolute treasure, and TVO was lucky enough to talk to its creators, writers and stars, Simon Day and Rhys Thomas about the life of Brian.

Rhys Thomas and Simon Day interview

Rhys Thomas and Simon Day on Brian Pern: A Life In Rock.

Simon Day and Rhys Thomas plan new sitcom

Fast Show star Day is set to reprise his character of Deptford armed robber Tony Beckton, who previously appeared on Bellamy's People and on Radio 4's The Simon Day Show, in a sitcom that Thomas is developing about divorced men living in a caravan park.

TV preview: The Life Of Rock With Brian Pern, BBC Two

You don't often get surprises in TV comedy. But it was a genuinely brilliant surprise when Peter Gabriel pitched up on a segway in the final episode of Brian Pern: A Life in Rock on BBC Four earlier this year. All the critics had been suggesting during the series that Gabriel might be livid if he thought that Simon Day's spoof prog rocker was based on him. In fact he clearly wasn't livid, he loved it.

Radio Times review

This is quite simply TV heaven. Just stick two colossi of comedy writing in front of a telly and get them to comment on favourite scenes. At one point in another delicious serving of Porridge memories, writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais do just that, the latter nailing the success of the show's plots and its main character with one phrase.

But there's much more besides. Celebrity fan Simon Day tracks down the famous, clanging doors of HM Prison Slade, there's brief behind-the-scenes footage from 1977 (more!), and Kate Beckinsale, daughter of Richard (Godber) will bring a lump to your throat with a story about her favourite episode.

Radio Times review

Moone Boy specialises in unlikely events, but the handball duel in this week's episode takes some beating. It's also a thoroughly deserved chance for Peter McDonald to go centre stage as beleaguered dad Liam Moone. When his former rival for Deb's affections comes calling - as a debt collector - it reopens old wounds. And the lack of family cash puts a crimp in young Martin's dreams of a Sega Mega Drive...

The ensuing showdown, as ever, combines all the sheepish delights of retro with the sharpness of a modern family sitcom. All this plus a quirky cameo from Simon Day as a sepia-tinted golfing champ.

Moone Boy: the satisfying middle ground where stupid meets feel-good.

The Life of Rock with Brian Pern review

This is an absolute gem of a comedy series, reminding us why Simon Day is such a well-regarded performer, and will enhance Rhys Thomas' reputation as a comedy writer/director to watch.