Shaun Williamson

Radio Times review

This is billed as a panel game but it's more of a parlour game - perhaps after a stodgy supper, given the pervading air of lethargy - in which four comedy stars flop out on sofas separated by a bank of TV screens from host Jo Brand.

Team captains Rebecca Front and Barry Cryer are joined by guests Tony Robinson and Hugh Dennis, who divulge a few of their own comedy secrets and answer questions that pop up on screen from the likes of Andrew Sachs, Lesley Joseph and Shaun Williamson. It's mildly amusing, but Jo Brand is always better unscripted.

Sadly, it looks as though there will be no second series of Life's Too Short, but my favourite comedy of 2011 enjoyed a last hurrah, thanks to a one-hour special that addressed many of the faults, and played to the strengths, of its first run.

Gone were the gratuitous physical humiliations visited upon star Warwick Davis, along with the David Brent mannerisms bequeathed him by writers Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

Instead, Davis was given free rein to explore the comic potential of his complex, conflicted and constantly embattled character. Rosamund Hanson provided scene-stealing support as dippy secretary Cheryl.

Extra helpings of guest stars playing either unflattering or unsympathetic versions of themselves were also served up. Shaun Williamson, Keith Chegwin and Les Dennis all made a welcome return - "Three Z-list celebrities make one D-list celebrity," encouraged Davis as they embarked on their All Star roadshow - with a surprise appearance from the former Hollywood star and one-time screen Batman Val Kilmer.

With an enthusiasm that bordered upon self-flagellation, Kilmer portrayed himself as a slightly deranged fantasist and maniacal con man who raises, and then shatters, Warwick's dreams of a sequel to Willow.

Painfully poignant, beautifully played and constantly inventive, this one-hour special conclusively proved that Life's Too Short's own end was also premature.

It may not be fashionable to approve of anything with Ricky Gervais's name on it. But this Life's Too Short Special (BBC2, Saturday) - with Val Kilmer, along with Les Dennis, Keith Chegwin, and Shaun Williamson joining Warwick Davis - is a piece of genius. There's nothing Gervais hasn't done before. An obsession with disability: check. Fading slebs making tits of themselves to highlight the horrors of the fame game: check. More squirminess than a sack of snakes with the squits: check. But it's done with such a breathtaking boldness that it's impossible not to gasp with a mixture of shock'n'awe. I mean he gets Chegwin to revisit not just his drunkenness but his nakedness too!

Actually the funniest moment is when Les, Keith and Shaun are sharing a hotel bed, to save money. "Not while I'm reading [Sartre as it happens]," says Shaun, when Cheggers reaches down to say hello to little Cheggers, if you know what I'm saying.

Then Gervais chucks in the curveball of touchingness (the other sort). It shouldn't be surprising - he usually does - but it somehow catches you off-guard. Especially poignant if you've just watched Kavana on The Voice.

Things look promising for Warwick Davis in this hour-long Easter special when Val Kilmer, his co-star in 1980s fantasy Willow, turns up in London to tout a possible sequel. But the main action involves our diminutive hero's attempt to resurrect the careers of Les Dennis, Keith Chegwin and Shaun Williamson ("Barry from EastEnders") via a low-rent pub roadshow. It's a cruel extended riff on the backwoods of fame and occasionally the horrible edginess of it is very funny.

Shaun Williamson interview

Shaun Williamson says he'd consider taking the spoof roadshow on tour in real life. "Well it's definitely an idea. We'll see how people receive the special and take it from there. It'd be great to work with them again and to do Edinburgh would be amazing."

Gervais & Merchant's dismal sitcom Life's Too Short returns unbidden for a one-off finale. Drab and mean-spirited, it sidelines its nominal star, Warwick Davis, in favour of the supposedly hilarious spectacle of ha-ha-has-beens Keith Chegwin, Shaun Williamson and Les Dennis making fools of themselves. It's truly desperate stuff.

Les Dennis, Shaun Williamson, Keith Chegwin interview

TV Choice meets Les, Shaun and Keith to chat about the show...

There's awkwardness abound and a stark-naked Keith Chegwin as Warwick attempts to scrape together enough money for a sequel to Willow, while balancing a touring cabaret show he's running that stars Cheggers, Les Dennis and Shaun Williamson. Oh and Val Kilmer's in there somewhere too. Maybe he'll join the trio for an encore of The Boys Are Back in Town...

Shaun Williamson: I owe Ricky Gervais a lot

Shaun Williamson, aka Barry from EastEnders, has spoken about his involvement in the upcoming Life's Too Short special, admitting that he owes Ricky Gervais 'a lot'.

Another week, another queasy mix of comedy and unpleasantness. The latter comes courtesy of a ]Keith Chegwin appearance; he turns up to Warwick's showbiz flat-warming party and makes a contribution to a discussion about suicide (with Les Dennis and Shaun Williamson, both no strangers to the Gervais/Merchant world) that you'll wish you'd never heard. Short of getting a Naked Jungle DVD for Christmas, it's hard to think of anything worse.

Luckily, before that, there's some comedy that doesn't rely on celebrity input, including edgy scenes with Warwick's love rival Ian (Matthew Holness, underplaying beautifully) and a turn by Cat Deeley as an unlikely paid-for guest.