Joel Fry

We're now more than halfway through the second series of the ancient Rome-set sitcom, which follows the surprisingly still relevant sex and city-based trials and tribulations of Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) and Stylax (Joel Fry). Written by Sam Leifer and Tom Basden - with the latter's sporadic appearances as taunted office water-carrier Aurelius a definite highlight - the show boasts an impressive supporting cast, with this series' cameos including Rosenthal's sport commentator dad Jim and Basden's sometime comedy partner Tim Key.

Radio Times review

The toga-clad comedy about three idiotic and hormonal lads in ancient Rome continues with Stylax (Joel Fry) finding a male admirer in the public latrine - and Grumio (Ryan Sampson) getting very sick after fishing out an apple from the same cesspit and eating it. Will Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) pay for a doctor to cure him - or will he pray to the goddess Hygea with the sexy Cynthia? Like it isn't obvious.

A shamelessly rude and puerile TV date that will once again divide viewers between the haters and those like me who have acquired the taste.

Radio Times review

A clutch of idiotic, skint blokes who constantly fail to attract the opposite sex as they bumble through life is a sitcom staple. But setting them in ancient Rome is the well-worked twist for this bright, engaging and frequently quick-witted comedy that won best new comedy at the British Comedy Awards in 2013.

In this series two opener, Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) tries to win the heart of the girl next door, while flatmate Stylax (Joel Fry) has his heart set on a lady-magnet chariot. Slave Grumio (Ryan Sampson) is probably the biggest delight with some fabulously deadpan asides. There's a decent new role for Neil Stuke, too, as the disreputable husband of the lads' fearsome boss Flavia (Doon Mackichan). And nostalgic sports fans will have a treat with Rosenthal's dad Jim commentating on the chariot race.

We're back at Valco for a third series of shelf-stacking gags and it's still a hit-and-miss affair, with gross sex-pots Colin and Lisa (Beverly Rudd, with Carl Rice and Joel Fry) stealing every scene they're in (that's really no place for a packet of frozen peas). For the rest, it's business as usual with Julie still trying to seduce manager Gavin, Katie making hopeless eyes at Kieran and a feeling of random gags in search of a story. And let's hope we lose the management whizz-kid in flip-flops and designer shorts double quick.

Let's face it, it's not exactly a golden age for British sitcoms. So when a half-indecent one stumbles along, let's hope it's given time to grow.

As Plebs bowed out last night, I found myself hoping this wasn't the last we'd seen of Shredder, Copier and Water Boy ('Man! Water Man!').

Though the closing episode, Saturnalia, didn't have anything to match my favourite moment of the series - Doon Mackichan downing a banana - it did leave the door gaping open for a second run as the hapless Marcus (aka Copier) still hadn't bagged himself any Cynthia action. You feel for the boy, you really do.

That's down to Tom Rosenthal's endearing turn as Marcus, which started off dangerously close to Inbetweener Will but has happily grown to fill out his own tunic.

Marcus could come off as a whiny whinger but Rosenthal's everyman likeability makes you root for him. With Joel Fry's Stylax, he turns Plebs into a (funny) spin on Two And A Half Men. Only with a short bloke (Ryan Sampson's terrific slave Grumio) instead of a fat kid.

When's the world ending? Nigh, according to the scary soothsayer in the final outing of this engagingly silly faux-Roman sitcom.

Not satisfied with throwing a wet blanket on the Saturnalia festivities, the 'crone' curses poor sweet Cynthia.

So, what with the apocalypse and all, Stylax (Joel Fry) reckons it's the perfect time for Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) to make his move on the object of his affection. But first he must reverse the curse.

The Emperor's new rat-catching initiative has led to moggies running amok in the courtyard as our hopeless Roman Romeos crank up the double entendres in this sparky toga-tugging sitcom. While shredder Stylax (Joel Fry) dons makeshift mittens to curb his scratching after bed bugs start nibbling on his kinky rhubarb, Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) considers installing a cat flap to Cynthia's flat after her beloved stray moggy Felix takes a shine to his hearth rug. Which may or may not be a euphemism.