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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
An underseen gem, Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive features a spin on the fictional-reality comedy staple, presenting both sides of a derivative panel comedy show. The backstage segments give some genuine insight into how these shows area actually made, bolstered by a superb Brydon as a Partridgesque model of himself, given to fits of ego and basically perpetually miffed at the choice of guests he has to work with and the fact that the writing staff have little idea of who he is.
Where the show really succeeds is in presenting the segments of Annually Retentive (the show within the show), which is often as amusing as Buzzcocks, HIGNFY or any of the other thousand that dominate the BBC's weeknight schedules. The Brydon of the fictional show is a more-than-capable host, playing off his own mistakes and generally making the whole thing very believable. That his backstage character is so radically different is only testament to his skills as an actor, and considering he also wrote and directed most of the series its a shame he is rarely hailed as the comedy great he so obviously is.
The support comes from regulars Jane Moore and Dave Gorman, both as willing to send themselves up as any one of the many panel guests, many of whom are torn to pieces by Brydon in conversations with his very charming assistant, played by Sharon Horgan. While his impressions are uncanny, it is his scathing, jealous deconstruction of each of their styles that truly hits the mark, and many are so close to the bone you wonder how the stars agreed to let it be broadcast.
I look forward to seeing the second series, which is finally seeing release next month alongside the forthcoming standup DVD for Mr. Brydon, as Brydon's observation on the workings of standups and panel regulars (I'm looking at you, David Mitchell) is painfully funny and often cathartic in an odd, vicious way.
Where the show really succeeds is in presenting the segments of Annually Retentive (the show within the show), which is often as amusing as Buzzcocks, HIGNFY or any of the other thousand that dominate the BBC's weeknight schedules. The Brydon of the fictional show is a more-than-capable host, playing off his own mistakes and generally making the whole thing very believable. That his backstage character is so radically different is only testament to his skills as an actor, and considering he also wrote and directed most of the series its a shame he is rarely hailed as the comedy great he so obviously is.
The support comes from regulars Jane Moore and Dave Gorman, both as willing to send themselves up as any one of the many panel guests, many of whom are torn to pieces by Brydon in conversations with his very charming assistant, played by Sharon Horgan. While his impressions are uncanny, it is his scathing, jealous deconstruction of each of their styles that truly hits the mark, and many are so close to the bone you wonder how the stars agreed to let it be broadcast.
I look forward to seeing the second series, which is finally seeing release next month alongside the forthcoming standup DVD for Mr. Brydon, as Brydon's observation on the workings of standups and panel regulars (I'm looking at you, David Mitchell) is painfully funny and often cathartic in an odd, vicious way.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
This is undoubtedly the best thing to ever come out of BBC 3. It solidifies Rob Brydon's reputation not only as a sharp standup, improvisor, impressionist and actor, but also as a great writer. After Peep Show, this is my favourite comedy on TV. It's witty, deadpan, and hits the nail on the head every time. You won't regret buying this.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
The Annually Retentive of the title refers to a quiz panel show that we are led to believe is presented by comedy actor/writer Rob Brydon and on which several celebrities and comedians appear, just like Have I Got News For You and Never Mind The Buzzcocks (with some blatant references and spoof segments of such shows). The programme is a mix of scenes from the show (within a show) and "behind the scenes" sections of Brydon getting increasingly nervous and paranoid, and of the conversations and events surrounding the guests on the show before they go on.
The best way to describe what's going on in Annually Retentive is to compare it to Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which Larry David plays an over the top version of himself with lots of improvisation and only a vague direction for each episode to develop from. Annually Retentive is in a similar style - Brydon plays a caricatured (and nastier, more insecure) version of himself, with several of the celebrity guests on the show similarly parodying themselves exaggerating their media personas.
Annually Retentive is clever, well embedded in British TV/celebrity culture, and a superb study of the world of showbusiness and the frustrations and potential for fragility therein. Most of all though, it's just very funny.
The episode I particularly enjoyed is the one where Russell Brand appears on Annually Retentive and we see Brydon in his office moaning about Brand's shtick, saying how Brand will sit quietly and politely before bursting into an over the top and floor-holding soliloquy on some topic or other, which Brydon does an absolutely hilarious impression of. This particular scene has a great sting in the tale which, like the whole of the series, I don't want to spoil.
If you didn't catch it on TV then definitely check out the DVD. Even once watched though, like the Alan Partridge programmes, it's well worth owning a copy to watch with friends and introduce to newbies. Five stars.
The best way to describe what's going on in Annually Retentive is to compare it to Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which Larry David plays an over the top version of himself with lots of improvisation and only a vague direction for each episode to develop from. Annually Retentive is in a similar style - Brydon plays a caricatured (and nastier, more insecure) version of himself, with several of the celebrity guests on the show similarly parodying themselves exaggerating their media personas.
Annually Retentive is clever, well embedded in British TV/celebrity culture, and a superb study of the world of showbusiness and the frustrations and potential for fragility therein. Most of all though, it's just very funny.
The episode I particularly enjoyed is the one where Russell Brand appears on Annually Retentive and we see Brydon in his office moaning about Brand's shtick, saying how Brand will sit quietly and politely before bursting into an over the top and floor-holding soliloquy on some topic or other, which Brydon does an absolutely hilarious impression of. This particular scene has a great sting in the tale which, like the whole of the series, I don't want to spoil.
If you didn't catch it on TV then definitely check out the DVD. Even once watched though, like the Alan Partridge programmes, it's well worth owning a copy to watch with friends and introduce to newbies. Five stars.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
As if this only has 3 reviews!
As another reviewer pointed out, this is a rare diamond in the rough from BBC3 (oddly, it's on ITV DVD, not sure what the story is there). Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009 by M. Davies
A broadside against a celebrity-obsessed media
This is wonderful stuff: toe-curling in the embarrassing situations it creates and wildly amusing as its targets get skewered. Postmodern is the word, I think. Read more
Published on 12 Jun 2007 by Dr. George L. Sik
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