Director's Commentary

Rob Brydon is a talented man, and Director’s Commentary is a corking little gem that ITV totally screwed up by giving it a disastrous airtime – as Brydon joked, it was “the coveted Thursday 11pm slot”. But at least it’s out on DVD for those that missed it.

If you’ve sometimes wondered why the director even bothered recording the commentary on some films (Guy Ritchie’s for Swept Away is a must-hear for ineptitude) then you’ll get the gag here. Brydon plays a fictional television ‘journeyman’ director of old faves from the past like Flambards and Bonanza. So, the real show plays whilst Brydon (in character) offers anecdotes to full blown libelous accusations about some of the people connected with the show itself.

On the whole it works well, there are some moments of fill, but the laugh out loud moments make it worth some time devoted to it. If you’re aware of the Sci-Fi channel’s Mystery Theatre 3000, and indeed like it, then you’ll know the kind of humour on offer, and know that it can be highly amusing.

As Brydon’s star continues to rise – and perhaps catch his mentor Steve Coogan – then this will be one of the shows that people will want to visit again, much like the Day Today works for Alan Partridge/Coogan fans.