Man Down

Man Down returns, and Dan's prostate is swollen, so after a somewhat humiliating experience at the doctors - and clutching a prescription for "cock pills" - he starts to reassess things. Trying to get fit doesn't seem to be the right road for him but, miraculously, he does manage to secure a date with a much younger woman during a fleeting visit to the gym. Let'a say things don't go massively well. Meanwhile, in researching his family tree, Brian discovers that he's from a long line of binmen.

Radio Times review

We've waited a while for Greg Davies's beautifully tasteless sitcom about a middle-aged loser to come back for a second series, but it's worth the wait. His hero Dan is a brilliant creation, a towering oaf whose self-delusion and gift for setting off minor disasters remind you of the greats - the Fawltys and the Brents - although Dan's world is rougher-edged and, frankly, filthier.

As we rejoin him, our shambling man-child is trying to confront the ageing process, not least its effect on his waterworks: "It's like I'm trying to run a bath but someone's turned a tap on in the other room," he tells a doctor. The scene where Dan tries to persuade a personal trainer to take him on is superb ("You're too far gone," sighs the trainer. "You've slipped off the edge, mate"), as is the faded Shed Seven T-shirt Dan wears for a date with a younger woman.

The ridiculousness is perfectly judged and there are nice subplots for the supporting cast. Gloriously square Brian's attempt to bond with bin-men nearly steals the show.

Greg Davies interview

Greg Davies was hit by a double shock last year when both his TV dad and then his real dad died - but now he's back on top.

Man Down, series 2 episode 1, review: 'vulgar'

Greg Davies's infantile sitcom is only the poorer after the death of Rik Mayall, says Sarah Carson.

Man Down series 2 review

The death of Rik Mayall was a huge loss to comedy - and especially to Man Down. The wild slapstick stunts he played on Greg Davies's character, Dan, were the highlight of every episode in series one. So could the series survive without him? The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, it's possibly even better.

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TV preview: Man Down, C4

OK, I confess. I wasn't convinced by the first series of Man Down. It had its moments, but given that they were mostly in the violent interplay between Greg Davies and his TV dad Rik Mayall I had a bad feeling about the second series which - for sad but obvious reasons - doesn't feature Mayall. Yet would you believe it, it looks like they've turned it round.

Greg Davies and Roisin Conaty interview

Before the press launch for the new series I caught up with Greg Davies and Roisin Conaty to find out more about what's in store. Here's what they had to say...

Greg Davies opens up about painful year

TV star Greg Davies has told of his painful year after both his father and the man who played his on-screen dad - Rik Mayall - died.

Interview: Greg Davies

Greg Davies used to be the drama teacher of the son of Milton Jones. "It was irritating for Milton. Because unbelievably, I sought his reassurance about my stand-up during a parent's evening."