Man to Man with Dean Learner

The first episode of 'Man to Man with Dean Learner' that just aired was at least up to scratch with most episodes of 'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' and had me at "My Maisonette". Hope it keeps up the good work of 'faux terribles' on my TV. Richard Ayoade is one of the best in the new breed of "alternative comedy"(I hate this phrase but am too lazy too think of another one.) comedians on TV today.I'm glad that on a trip of local DVD retailers today "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" was sold out across the board. Even from his brief stint in Nathan Barley I knew that Ayoade was a serious talent and I'm sure he would have been great as Dixon Bainbridge in 'The Mighty Boosh' To continued success! In the vein of these programs I also felt it necessary to extend my review, in order to secure a place on this public domain.

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.

'Man to Man with Dean Learner' is fabulous continuation to 'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' with its continuing universe of absurd and crude humor and continuity errors (on one moment Dean Learner lights a cigarette and in the next one he smokes a cigar). Dean Learner continues to surprise us with his own egocentric and disillusioned genius persona, like he himself single handedly created the (entertainment)world. At this point in the history Dean Learner's character comes across like distorted hybrid of Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump.

But the real treat of the series is the showcase of Matthew Holness's talents who portrays all the six quests in the show, including infamous Garth Marenghi. Those six different characters are very different, and they don't feel simply comedic routines, but comedic characters with real person in them. What I mean is, when you watch them, you don't see Matthew Holness doing absurd cross parodies of different artists, but you see an actual person like Merriman Weir, or Randolph Caer. In the comedic key of course.

If you loved 'Darplace' there is very high chance that you will like 'Man to Man'.

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..."

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.