Phil Collins

Brian Pern - a knowing parody of the rock eulogy

Following the unofficial year of celebrity death that was 2016, another victim has been claimed by the great Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in the sky.

Simon Day reveals the fate of Brian Pern

Simon Day's BBC4 superstar was the subject of a spoof obituary - but it seems there could be life in the old rocker yet...

10 moments that made Brass Eye the funniest show ever

The brainchild of enigmatic satirist Chris Morris, Channel 4's Brass Eye only lasted for six episodes and a special - albeit the most controversial one of all time.

The host welcomes stars of the revived comedy-drama Cold Feet. Robert Bathurst and Hermione Norris are perhaps perceived as too posh for chatshows, so here we get James Nesbitt, Fay Ripley and John Thomson - the latter returning from the wilderness with some great performances. The avowedly un-laddish but also strangely unchallenging comedian Joe Lycett is also a guest, with Phil Collins providing music.

Ali Brice: Edinburgh Fringe 2015 interview

At last year's Edinburgh Festival Ali Brice introduced the world to Eric Meat in a debut hour of character comedy that involved a lot of pasta and Phil Collins. Eric is back this year and we're expecting even more pasta. We're uncertain about Phil Collins.

Sometimes it's fun to watch the comedy greats even when they're coasting. Sometimes it's fun to watch the comedy greats precisely because they're coasting. In the Christmas special of House Of Fools, Vic and Bob are having a laugh in both senses of the phrase. Basically, they just hang around on screen being Vic and Bob. There are sight gags and pratfalls. Cartoon violence and jokes about Cockermouth. There's a climactic raid on the house of Phil Collins. It's possibly the least consequential thing they've ever done and, consequently, it's great fun.

Radio Times review

There is nothing like House of Fools for clangingly mad farce. The Christmassy special does Vic and Bob's usual trick of stirring up a big blizzard of bonkers, but with added tinsel, and it's a joy to watch. To the extent that there's a plot it involves the gang trying to steal a bobble hat from Phil Collinss house, because the one Bob bought for his sinister son Erik caught fire.

But that's merely a string on which to hang their bursts of slapstick, fart gags, songs, snogs, silly props (including a massive horn), mad accents and, of course, mishaps involving Bob's toupee. Julie (Morgana Robinson), their refulgent neighbour, is on great form, as is Beef (Matt Berry in a sort of toga), who nearly scuppers the Collins raid because he "can't actually whisper".

A second outing for the spoof rockumentary that makes you wish its creators hadn't sat down after watching The Rutles or This Is Spinal Tap and thought: "Well, that looks easy." Tonight, Pern (Simon Day channelling his inner Peter Gabriel) explores rock's middle age. One halfway decent gag about Phil Collins at Live Aid notwithstanding, this mainly serves to remind us that there are even more depressing things than out-and-out horrors such as The Now Show, and that is comedies that just aren't funny enough.

Radio Times review

This second episode, about the "middle ages" of rock, is even funnier than the first - especially if you're sufficiently middle aged to understand all the 70s and 80s references. There's a greater emphasis on doctored archive footage than on semi-improvised skits this time, but we're treated to an appearance from Noel Edmonds, while Red Dwarf's Danny John-Jules pops up thinly disguised as the ubiquitous Nile Rodgers.

Tom Jones's interminable note-hold and Phil Collins massacring Stairway to Heaven are particular highlights. Be warned, however: there's some fruity language; from Nigel "potty mouth" Havers no less.

Wannabe suicide bombers beware

He has persuaded MPs to campaign to keep the fictitious drug "cake" off the streets, and musician Phil Collins to warn children against paedophiles while wearing a "Nonce Sense" T-shirt. Now the satirist Chris Morris is tackling his most controversial topic yet: wannabe suicide bombers.