Steve Coogan

This new, Michael Winterbottom-directed six parter sees Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon reprise their roles as "themselves" in A Cock and Bull Story as slightly feuding buddies. This time they're on a voyage around the north of England as Coogan writes restaurant reviews for the Observer having broken up with his American girlfriend. A lot of it consists of the two trading impressions and funny voices - but the show exists to explore Coogan's perceived (and actual?) persona as an ennui-riddled womaniser. It's very self-aware, but often very funny. And an enjoyable foodie travelogue, too.

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Video: Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon take a trip

Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan have become comedy partners in a new BBC Two show called The Trip.

Steve Coogan plays a food critic who is ditched by his girlfriend and forced to take his friend Rob on a restaurant road journey.

Maverick film director Michael Winterbottom hops genres with exhilarating ease. Now he offers a uniquely British spin on the road movie. The Trip premiered earlier this year as a feature film, but the BBC has opted to air it as a six-part comedy-drama. The unhurried, graceful style of this first episode suggests it was a wise decision. Playing semi-fictionalised versions of themselves, comedians Steve Coogan (still best-known for I'm Alan Partridge) and Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, Marion and Geoff, QI) spar to perfection as reluctant travel companions. Coogan is asked by a national newspaper to tour the North and review restaurants. When his girlfriend backs out of accompanying him, Coogan begrudgingly asks Brydon to come along instead. The largely improvised dialogue allows the pair to play off their public personae to great effect. Coogan is neurotic and gnarly. The affable Brydon has an endearingly sentimental streak, eager to please his sardonic friend. Their gently antagonistic relationship is beautifully realised over the course of lunch at The Inn at Whitewell in Lancashire. A typically scattershot exchange, in which the duo try to top each other's impersonations of Michael Caine and Anthony Hopkins, provides the episode's comic highlight. Winterbottom intersperses their dialogue with lingering shots of the Inn's elegant dining room and exquisite food, and, outside, a glorious expansive backdrop of rolling hills.

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The BBC deserve an ambivalent shrug for The Rob Brydon Show, which is, at best, objectively "alright". Faint praise is the dullest weapon in the critic's armory, but it's all this lighthearted chat show deserves.

Last time Brydon presented something in this vein he was in character as hapless cuckold Keith Barrett of Marion and Geoff renown. This time he's being himself, the likeable, witty, waspish Welshman whose eagerness to please is as endearing as it is occasionally overbearing - during his opening "banter with the audience" segment, I thought his unfunny Pingu impression was never going to end.

There is, to its credit, something pleasingly old-fashioned about the programme's format. Oddly, what it reminded me of most was - pace Wogan and Harty - Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, starring Steve Coogan. But whereas that was a parody of traditional chatter-tainment, this is the real, undemanding deal.

So, a few gags, a sycophantic chat with a showbiz chum - David Walliams doing his lazy faux-camp schtick - a self-indulgent duet with a musical hero - Tom Jones - and a showcase for an up-and-coming comic - Tom Deacon, a nondescript child. And, inevitably, as many impressions as Brydon can cram in. If Jones' involvement was anything to go by, expect future guests to include others the host can "do". Ronnie Corbett is probably ironing his cravat as we speak.

Interview: Rob Brydon unveils his new chat show

The comedian has just finished a run of his panel show Would I Lie To You?, started his own talk show, The Rob Brydon Show, and he's got The Trip, a new comedy with buddy Steve Coogan, in the pipeline.

A long overdue solo vehicle for the likeable Rob Brydon - one of our finest comedy actors (see his scene-stealing turns in Gavin & Stacey and supporting roles for the likes of Steve Coogan and Julia Davis), and also a gifted stand-up and impressionist (the latter of which he demonstrated hilariously in the 2005 film A Cock and Bull Story). The format is knowingly cheesy, with Brydon chatting in matey style to his main guest, before breaking off for a short set by a comedian and interlude from a musician - with whom the host is invariably tempted to join in.

Chat shows stand or fall by the quality of their guests and tonight's are top-drawer. Main conversationalist is "Dame" David Walliams, who discusses his marriage to model Lara Stone and obsession with James Bond, then reads from his recent children's book. Walliams also answer questions from Twitter users (token nod to being modern, there) and the studio audience - which sweetly includes his mother. The musical guest is Sir Tom Jones, who performs a song from his acclaimed gospel album Praise & Blame. The only weak link is the set by young stand-up Tom Deacon, but it would be churlish to complain about Brydon championing a rising comedian each week. At times this opening show has the slight awkwardness of a first date, but all in all, it's a comfortingly cosy and entertaining half-hour.

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