The Midnight Beast

Having enjoyed The Midnight Beast to distraction - what's not to love about a 21st-century Monkees with a sharp line in pop music parody? - it's sad to report that the south-east London likely lads let themselves down with a final episode that was simply a loosely linked compilation of their best songs from the previous five shows.

Come on boys, we've got YouTube (oh the irony, that's where they started) for that sort of thing. These boys deserve to come back - but not until they've got enough material to fill a whole series.

The Beast's series finale is basically a clips show - one that focuses on The Midnight Beast's famed music videos. Not a bad idea, as the fake promos are probably the most successful aspect of this show. It's never easy for meagre TV budgets to compete with the megabucks music video directors have to chuck around, but these cheap and very cheerful ones manage far better than most. So sit back and enjoy the complete versions of Medium Pimpin', Strategy Wanking and other "hits".

There's friction in the band this week. Ash is warned that his randy gland is among the issues causing the fissure, as is Dru's distinct lacking in the same department. A romantic intervention in the caff seems to have a temporary effect, until Dru's new love interest proves less a steadying influence than an obsessive loon. With a hit rate of about one in 20 gags, the sitcom from these YouTube sensations is considerably less likely to grab the 40-odd million views it has had online.

I have stuck with E4's Flight Of The Conchords-esque teen comedy. I still wish it was better written, have to say. The trio are very likeable and most of their songs are fun (if getting slightly repetitive in style), but each episode's story and the jokes haven't grabbed me. It's a pleasant diversion, but nothing I'm in a rush to watch.

Think The Flight of the Conchords reimagined by whoever was responsible for that 'Being a Dickhead's Cool' hipster-spoof and you're somewhere near the tone of this show. Sadly, while the songs are okay in a one-trick-pony sort of way, there isn't an equivalent degree of charm; this trio are just harder to like than Bret, Jemaine and Murray. Still, it delivers a few sniggers even if it's hard to see these YouTube sensations ever resonating like our amiable Kiwi chums. Tonight, a tussle with an allegedly cooler rival band (who weirdly, resemble pantomime metal losers The Darkness) causes The Beast to reappraise their own image in search of integrity. Sadly, they premiere this new direction on a kids' TV show. With, if not exactly hilarious, then mildly amusing consequences.

After having their image (or lack thereof) mocked by rival band Shadow Rack, who look just as ridiculous and desperate but at least display some uniformity, the boys set about sorting out their style. With a live appearance on national telly looming it's pretty clear they're going to get things drastically wrong. Bit of a weak week storywise but still some good lines ("Integrity? That's not even a word") and, apart from a well-done but hopelessly out of date Rage Against The Machine parody, some funny songs.

Our hapless hip-hopsters are drawn into the murky world of a video artist, as this grungey new sitcom continues. Unsavoury characters are the order of the day, while the band's comedy songs including Medium Pimpin' are the undoubted highlights. But fans of Spaced might have a feeling of déjà vu...

Review: The Midnight Beast

The music's great, the three leads are irresistible, and the production's slick and visually smart... but it just wasn't funny whenever The Midnight Beast weren't performing.

Review: A shambolic charm despite its flimsy plot

Set in a slacker flat in which lads flop around eating pizza The Midnight Beast was not concerned with glamour a la Made In Chelsea, but its characters were all the more likable for it.