Pete Versus Life

This week Pete realises what we all noticed a few seconds into the first episode: that he's a petty, selfish git. He can't keep his mouth shut when Barry starts banging on about spirituality after his newly transplanted heart has given him a taste for spare ribs. Pete shouts his crackpot theories down, upsetting Barry so much he gets another heart attack. So Pete decides to do something unselfish: marry a South African woman looking for a green card. A good cast, headed by the likable Rafe Spall, work well to deal with the rather unlikely and convenient situations the script throws at them.

You really need your fingers on the pause button for this show to fully appreciate all the on-screen statistics. And our two favourite commentators, Colin King and Terry McIlroy, play an absolute blinder tonight with, among other things, a pie chart breaking down the reasons why Pete normally visits his parents. "He's never been one to pass up the chance of some
free electricity," ­deadpans Terry.

This week, Pete (Rafe Spall), who's on his most prattish best behaviour, manages to put Anna's father in hospital and agrees to marry his Zimbabwean flatmate's girlfriend so she can stay in the country.

There's even a guest spot from Derek Acorah. What more could you possibly ask of a Friday night sitcom?

Sitcoms about men in their 20s seem to arrive at the conclusion that their characters might be buffoons but, at bottom, they're decent guys. Not so Pete Versus Life: since episode one Pete (Rafe Spall) has been lurching from strong lager to furtive bunk-up with some gusto, wonderfully unconcerned about the consequences of his actions. Tonight's episode pits Pete against some strong opposition when he becomes involved with an older woman whom he meets at an art auction. What will summarisers Colin and Terry make of his performance?

Channel 4's latest comedy continues to entertain tonight with another great episode. Even though it's sometimes held back by a script that lacks a little sparkle, Pete Versus Life's unique premise is enough to pop it into the 'must see' column of your weekly list of what to watch. Tonight's episode is perhaps the best to date as Pete meets an attractive older woman at an art auction, but is inevitably undone by the problems faced by the modern-day toyboy.

Pete's success with the ladies continues to surprise everyone - including himself - and tonight he bites off way more than he can chew when he hooks up with a much older woman.

Caroline Langrishe guests as seriously up for it, wealthy (married) art-lover Ros in an episode with more bad language than usual being bandied about.

So much so that one of the cleanest (and funniest) gags involves Pete racking his brain for a polite explanation for the acronym MILF.

Ros's morals may leave a lot to be desired but she sure knows her way around a makeover. The best bit tonight is seeing how much better Pete looks after a stylist has been at him with the hair straighteners.

Commentators Terry McIlroy and Colin King are on hand with their analysis and the snippets of trivia about all of the characters are as brilliantly random as ever.

Tonight we learn that Pete's ex Chloe can dance the Macarena to professional standard - whatever that may be.

Pete Versus Life, a study in oafishness and emotional inadequacy among young men, flagrantly trespasses upon Peep Show's territory but provides its own twist. Instead of an internal monologue, the titular hero, a down at heel sports writer, is provided with a pair of studio pundits to provide commentary, backed up with appropriate statistics, upon the embarrassing events in Pete's life as they unfold.

It is an original and clever gimmick, all the more effective for being used sparingly. Pete is winningly played by the terrifyingly versatile Rafe Spall.

Pete Versus Life wins TV comedy clash

Channel 4 series pulls in 1.288 million viewers, while BBC2's Roger and Val Have Just Got In draws 1.228 million.

The second episode of this new comedy series turns on an esoteric point of sexual etiquette that it's probably best not to dwell on in great detail here. Suffice it to say, though, that however edgy the subject matter, the familiar, slightly seedy, male crapness at the centre remains enjoyably familiar. Tonight, sports writer Pete (played by Rafe Spall) must face down some tricky opponents. These include sophisticated ex-flatmate Jake, a kebab shop proprietor and a pretentious shop assistant. His progress is summarised by commentators Colin and Terry.

This crass comedy series has a novelty factor. As our protagonist, hapless journalist Pete Griffith (Rafe Spall), stumbles through life, a pair of sports commentators analyse his progress. Perhaps the writers were worried they hadn't staked out their target audience of beery twenty-something lads clearly enough. Tonight Pete goes to a party where his self-satisfied friend Jake reveals an intimate detail about his sex life. Pete can't keep the secret to himself. Cue endless references to the sex act as the episode continues. Spall has a winning presence but his talent can't save this shoddy effort.

Putting the "com" into sitcom, Terry McIlroy and Colin King (Ian Kirkby and Simon Greenall) are back with more expert analysis of a Premier League prat. Sex expert Tracey Cox is also on hand this week, to explain the benefits of a certain bedroom technique that Pete and his friends can't stop talking about.

The trouble with this show is that Pete (Rafe Spall) is so thoroughly unlikeable that instead of being the star of the show his tedious adventures are little more than an unwelcome distraction from Terry and Colin's running commentary to the action.

Although it is very funny, if there was a way of just watching these two on the red button - and removing Pete (and his mates' endless stream of annoying girlfriends) from the equation altogether - the show would be much improved.