House Of Fools

The best of Reeves & Mortimer

Our rundown of their finest moments.

Dan Skinner says critics didn't get House Of Fools

House of Fools was cancelled by BBC Two last month - and now star Dan Skinner says critics of the axed comedy simply "didn't get it".

The charm didn't really endure into the second series of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's sitcom (which was recently cancelled by the Beeb) but this - the first episode of the first series - is a fine reminder of their absurdist comic strengths. Bob is dismayed that his oddball lodger, Vic, is cramping his style. It's particularly problematic tonight, as his neighbour Beef (Matt Berry) has arranged a date for Bob with a woman "charred, like a tugboat". The plan is to watch Conan the Barbarian on TV. But what has Vic done with the TV?

DVD review: Vic and Bob's House Of Fools - Series 1

Warning: if you don't like silliness, look away now. For House Of Fools is very very silly indeed.

House Of Fools, Series 2 review

House of Fools is a microcosm of insanity and childishness.

For Vic and Bob - the most original TV stars of their era - the past 20 years have been tough as they sought a vehicle for their surreal and hungover prog rock bromance. House of Fools has on occasion looked as if it might be it. This second season finale pulls in professional guest star Sally "One Episode" Phillips to end things on a high. When Vic's ex-girlfriend Mary cancels their date, he looks certain to have a disappointing evening - but that would be to reckon without Beef's magical time-stopping whip!

Radio Times review

Cousin Cathy (Erin Kellyman) visits the Garry clan during a heatwave, and the lissome sexpot (who, unlike the rest of them, is not home-schooled) teaches poor Germaine a few harsh life lessons when she attracts the attentions of Lee. Heroic mum Della, meanwhile, is "on the Ronseal" (her talents don't end at DIY) and after revenge on the neighbour's cat. The dialogue in Caitlin and Caz Moran's comedy sometimes feels like witty, over-elaborate prose, but this original comedy continues to hit the mark thanks to the ingenuity of the wit and the charm and skill of the brilliant ensemble.

The penultimate visit to Vic and Bob's House of Fools finds the hapless pair struggling for a plot. Luckily, Beef arrives with a truth-telling turban he's brought back from Durban, and when Bosh - thanks to his wearing of said turban - accidentally gets Julie's bistro closed down after being overly honest with the health inspector, a plot gets under way. All the while, a potential secondary plot involving a visit from Michelle Obama is bubbling away in the background, just in case. Yes, it's all a bit postmodern this week.

Opinion: in praise of Vic & Bob

The reason Vic and Bob are doing so well is fiendishly simple. They are working together again. I don't think I've ever come across a double act who click so well. That's why House of Fools is making such an impact where their various appearances without each other in recent years have been relatively forgettable by comparison. It's the chemistry stupid.