Man to Man with Dean Learner

Between this and my hatred of "The I. T. Crowd" I controversially think the show is nearly as intolerable as "The Big Bang Theory" and that's not even counting all of Graham Linehan's anti-trans nonsense, this only shows that Richard Ayoade is completely thrown off by having to use a live studio audience. They nearly destroy all sense of timing and subtlety in his style of comedy, and for something that's supposed to be a send-up of bad talk shows, it's bizarre the worst part of all of them was presented 100% sincerely.

Well, that, and there's a criminal under-use of Matt Berry in this. Sally Hawkins, too.

I went to the pilot show last summer and as funny as it was I'm not sure how this would work on a weekly basis. All the guest we're played by Mathew Holness (Garth Merenghi)and a lot of the humour came from the banter and mistakes between the two of them. I thought it was really funny but i don't know how much would be lost in the editing room. There was a seriously hilarious music video with Mathew Holness and Matt Berry which opens the box to more surreal musical humour giving the show a bit of backbone. I think Richard ayoade is seriously funny guy and i think if he gets the rest of the boosh and darkplace crews involved it could be another cult classic.

I am so disappointed. After waiting for 3 years for repeats/the DVD of the original masterpiece series "Darkplace" i couldn't wait for this series. The first episode just ended and I am appalled. Everything that was great about Darkplace has been erased here, pretty much. Worst introduction: canned laughter. this takes the original point of it away and just renders it nearly unwatchable. (one joke about Garth's eyes fertilizing the audience was good... the rest i can hardly remember...) it feels like a poor quality "Knowing Me, Knowing You." I hope this improves as the series goes on, otherwise i shall be seriously disappointed. back to "Darkplace..."

"You are the most compassionate man I ever known. And i know God..."

A spin off comedy talk show from the creators of 'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' The new series, Man to Man with Dean Learner, focuses on Garth's manager, publisher and publicity agent, as played by Richard Ayoade.

Nightclub owner, restaurateur, publisher, international playboy - Dean Learner is a one-man brand.

After his co-funded Channel 4 television hit Garth Marenghi's Darkplace he now invites you into his luxury penthouse flat for an all-new, entertaining and immensely stylish TV talk show.

Man to Man with Dean Learner will feature all Dean's remaining celebrity friends, as well as plenty of live music and fine fish-dish cuisine in a show that reeks of class - but not fish!

I attended two of the live recordings and it had me in stitches. There are distinct comparisons to Alan Partridge's 'Knowing me Knowing you' in the layout but Richard Ayoade and Matt Holness's unique writing style take it to another level.

If your a fan of Darkplace then you can't miss it. Catch it when its aired late this summer

I first caught this in October 2006, when it was originally shown on Channel 4. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Over the years I have dipped back into it.