The sketch-by-sketch review:
Butterfield Karaoke Bar: I don't like this Butterfield character, who served a purpose in episode 1, but the joke's already worn thin. Here, the dour, obese man tries to sell us his karoke bar. A mildly amusing rap rescues it from the doldrums.
Vader In Love: Peter's a huge Star Wars fan (he was Darth Maul's voice) so I suppose a Star Wars sketch was inevitable. Fortunately, the affection really comes through and the idea is sound. Basically, Darth Vader is sidetracked from his nefarious schemes by Commander Ada Larkin (the future Ada Vader?), a pink version of himself, whom he falls in love with. This was a recurring sketch and one of the funniest.
Internet Ham: Another of those daft adverts, this time taking the mickey out of internet shopping, where you get ham delivered to your CD-ROM by entering a special code into a website.
O! News: Hit-and-miss, but I liked the idea Gary Numan has become Gary Oldman... Cake Hospital's donut rape raised a grin... but more could have been done with David Lynch parody You'll Get Diarrhoea.
Acting Masterclass... with Kevin Spacey: A return to from after the unfunny Al Pacino last week, with a good impression of Spacey from Peter. I like the twisting of him into a hurtful, egotistical prick. The way he belittled a student for "lying" in improv was excellent.
Lola Llarlagh & Nancy Cohlesterhols: Two women (one played by Peter, with an annoying extended laugh), who sell "Gem Mania" on a TV shopping channel. Quite amusing.
BBN News: The buzzer sketch is a little highlight for me, have to admit.
Antiques Eater: Weak idea, really. A crusty antiques expert eats expensive or sentimental items the public have brought him for valuation.
Michael-6: This joke wasn't funny the first time, but atleast the robotic presenter's sketch is over with quickly.
Which Hand Is It In? Like the Millionaire sketch in episode 1, another random and silly game, this time in the style of The Weakest Link. Poor.
Caveman Chat: Ug.
Modern Life... Let's Have An Orgy: Wonderful! These are the highlights of the series and should get their own spin-off. Peter's somehow perfectly suited to parodies of 70s instructional films, and this is the best yet. Love the Orgy P69 you need from the post office!
Gravies Of The Ancients: Humdrum advert about a gravy magazine.
Ringo Remembers... Goldfinger: The awful Beatles sketch last week is avoided, with Ringo instead drumming away to an unused theme tune to Goldfinger. Annoyingly catchy song, but not quite hilarious.
So yes. An improvement on episode 2, but not quite as good as episode 1 (probably because it's lost its freshness now). This series is still a disappointment to me. It lacks much intelligence and has nothing new to add to the sketch comedy form. But.. it kept me entertained for 30-minutes.
