Plebs

Radio Times review

A clutch of idiotic, skint blokes who constantly fail to attract the opposite sex as they bumble through life is a sitcom staple. But setting them in ancient Rome is the well-worked twist for this bright, engaging and frequently quick-witted comedy that won best new comedy at the British Comedy Awards in 2013.

In this series two opener, Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) tries to win the heart of the girl next door, while flatmate Stylax (Joel Fry) has his heart set on a lady-magnet chariot. Slave Grumio (Ryan Sampson) is probably the biggest delight with some fabulously deadpan asides. There's a decent new role for Neil Stuke, too, as the disreputable husband of the lads' fearsome boss Flavia (Doon Mackichan). And nostalgic sports fans will have a treat with Rosenthal's dad Jim commentating on the chariot race.

Tom Rosenthal on Plebs and the scene he can't watch

Ahead of tonight's series premiere, RadioTimes.com caught up with Tom Rosenthal to hear all about breezy tunics, boring history lessons and the worst thing he's ever seen himself do...

Tom Rosenthal on Plebs

Tom Rosenthal tells Digital Spy how he uses Plebs to make friends, reveals his outrageous diva demands and promises us a shot at stardom.

Plebs: 'Rome allows us to bring in gladiators & orgies'

It's Horrible Histories meets The Inbetweeners - ITV2's hit sitcom may be built on a bedrock of puerile humour, but you might learn something too.

Plebs 2 preview

What to expect from the new series; prostitution, sex, drugs, a stag do and a baby... not forgetting the best series yet.

Jim Rosenthal commentates on son Tom's comedy Plebs

The sports presenter is joined by Simon Callow, James Fleet and Friday Night Dinners' Paul Ritter on series two of the ITV2 sitcom.

Let's face it, it's not exactly a golden age for British sitcoms. So when a half-indecent one stumbles along, let's hope it's given time to grow.

As Plebs bowed out last night, I found myself hoping this wasn't the last we'd seen of Shredder, Copier and Water Boy ('Man! Water Man!').

Though the closing episode, Saturnalia, didn't have anything to match my favourite moment of the series - Doon Mackichan downing a banana - it did leave the door gaping open for a second run as the hapless Marcus (aka Copier) still hadn't bagged himself any Cynthia action. You feel for the boy, you really do.

That's down to Tom Rosenthal's endearing turn as Marcus, which started off dangerously close to Inbetweener Will but has happily grown to fill out his own tunic.

Marcus could come off as a whiny whinger but Rosenthal's everyman likeability makes you root for him. With Joel Fry's Stylax, he turns Plebs into a (funny) spin on Two And A Half Men. Only with a short bloke (Ryan Sampson's terrific slave Grumio) instead of a fat kid.

When's the world ending? Nigh, according to the scary soothsayer in the final outing of this engagingly silly faux-Roman sitcom.

Not satisfied with throwing a wet blanket on the Saturnalia festivities, the 'crone' curses poor sweet Cynthia.

So, what with the apocalypse and all, Stylax (Joel Fry) reckons it's the perfect time for Marcus (Tom Rosenthal) to make his move on the object of his affection. But first he must reverse the curse.