I somehow missed the fifth episode, so the reviews jump straight to the finale. A sketch-by-sketch:Calling Card Criminal: Funny sketch about incompetent cops who can't find a criminal who makes it painfully obvious who he is, by leaving an abundance of clues and "calling cards" to trace.
Helivets - Fish: I think these characters were supposed to be the new Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit, but the joke is even thinner here. A pet needs help, the Helivets arrive by helicopter in their pink jumpsuits, realize the pet is actually stone dead, and fly away. Rinse and repeat. Yawn. This sketch is only mildly better than most, because of the exploding fish shot at the end – although they missed a trick not showing it expanding and blowing up like a balloon.
Scarecrow Love Rival: One of those nicely skewed ideas M&W come up with from time to time. Here, a married couple play match-maker for their single friend at a dinner party, by ensuring the other guests are an attractive woman for him to woo, a crash-test dummy and a scarecrow. Surely he'll be the focus of attention? Unfortunately, the scarecrow is a poetic, romantic lothario. Amusing.
Nude Scene: A seedy director encourages a young actor called Dan to strip naked for a nude scene, under the pretence of art. The sketch is returned to later, where Dan finds the script has changed so he has to be naked chained to a revolving disc, surrounded by pervs. Funny.
War On Oddie: A news channel report that the world has given up the War On Terror for something more achievable: to defeat former-comic, turned wildlife expert Bill Oddie. A bit limp, but I liked the opening gag aimed at Sir Jimmy Saville.
Horse Birthday: God. Why, oh why, oh why? These horse sketches just aren't funny. In the slightest.
Football Fan: The office co-worker sketches are minor highlights, as the writing seems to improve once there's a real studio audience in attendance. This one is based on the annoying way football fans talk about "their" team as if they are actively involved in matches.
Holy Grail: The chalice that grants its drinker immortality is found going cheap at a car boot sale. A bit obvious, but amusing. And do I detect an Indiana Jones stream of consciousness, following Indy's mention in the preceding football sketch?
Wigs: The behind-the-scenes sketches have been very poor this year, and this one is no exception. It revolves around the idea that David Mitchell is actually bald.
Numberwang Night: A treat for Numberwang fans, as the popular recurring sketch from last season has become a cult favourite. This is a special "Numberwang Night", with A History Of Numberwang, the revelation that Numberwang is decided by a giant robot called Collosson, a visit to the Faculty Of Numbers, a trip back in time to Bletchley Park for an Enigma Machine spoof, and some archive footage of Numberwang games from yesteryear. Enjoyable, especially if you love Numberwang.
If I catch a repeat of the fifth episode, I'll review it – but, for now, that's the end of Mitchell & Webb's "difficult second series". It was definitely a poorer effort than last year, but there were still some funny moments. The only memorable moments for me were the spoof of adverts for football and the bizarre Flamingo Land sketch. But it's still refreshing to watch a sketch show where 85% of the material is new stuff every week, and not reliant on repetition and catchphrases.
27 March 2008
BBC2, 9.00 pm
