Brian Pern to return for Series 3
Brian Pern, the comedy series starring Simon Day as an art rocker, is to return for a third series.
The BBC has confirmed the show will be coming back, however it will return to BBC Four, the channel it launched on, rather than being broadcast on BBC Two - the channel that showed Series 2. Insiders told The Radio Times that BBC Four is regarded as a "better fit" for the show.
The new three part series - titled Brian Pern: 45 Years In Prog And Roll - will chart Brian's current activities, plus continue to look back at the history of his band Thotch.
The BBC says: "A huge hit with music and comedy fans alike, the Brian Pern series has now established itself as a well-observed, lovingly created comedy series that goes beyond the comparisons of Spinal Tap to become the definitive satire of not only the rock and roll industry, but the rock-doc formula itself in the 21st century."
Appearing alongside Simon Day again will be Paul Whitehouse as posh guitarist Pat Quid, Nigel Havers as randy keyboard player Tony Pebblé, and Michael Kitchen as straight-talking manager John Farrow.
As in previous series, famous musicians are expected to make cameo appearances in the new run, however the BBC is currently keeping tight lipped about who will be popping up this time. A spokesperson did however confirm the show will feature "a host of guest stars, clips from Brian's archive and exclusive unseen footage", adding "this new series reveals more about Brian, Thotch and their private lives than ever before."
The three new episodes will focus on Brian as he embarks on his summer festival tour, his return to America and the long-awaited Thotch reunion
The BBC adds: "In addition to the series, Brian will also be hosting a series of special shorts on other aspects of music related to the new season of BBC Four music documentaries airing this autumn and how he was responsible for most of it."
Talking about the new series, the character of Brian says: "I am so delighted to be back on BBC Four to help sell more copies of my new orchestral Greatest Hits Album, tickets for the Thotch reunion shows and to remind people how I shaped rock music over the last 45 years."
His manager Gary Farrow added: "We are so pleased that Brian has been allowed more airtime to remind us how great he was and continues to be. I'd like to thank BBC Four for offering more money (and viewers) than Sky Arts, Sky Arts HD, Sky Arts 2, Sky Arts 2 HD, Sky Arts +1, Sky Arts HD +1, Sky Arts 2 HD +1, and VH-1."
Writer and creator Rhys Thomas says: "I am thrilled that Brian Pern is returning to BBC Four, though it has been hard to celebrate since receiving numerous death threats from certain members of Genesis and a mechanic from Mike and The Mechanics. I'd like to thank the landlord of our safe house for being so kind and the police for their continued support."
BBC commissioner Shane Allen comments: "Rock legend Brian Pern skewers and lampoons all the sacred cows of hallowed halcyon rock nostalgia with many of those musical greats appearing and being in on the joke. It's rock and comedy catnip for the BBC Four viewers who also have the return of double BAFTA-winning Detectorists to look forward to this autumn. These shows cement BBC Four's reputation as a home for beautifully crafted comedy."
Cassian Harrison from BBC Four adds: "We are delighted to welcome Brian Pern back from his extended sojourn up a boabab tree in Namibia where he has been learning to play the pangolin. We simply cannot wait to hear the results."
This news follows the announcement that the character is breaking out of television to play a real gig. Brian Pern Only Live Only For Only One Night Only is being staged at the Lyric Theatre in London on the 19th October.
Series 3 of Brian Pern will be on TV this autumn.
Here is the trailer that was used to promote the second series: