Review of World Of Pub

Introduction

Brothers Garry (Peter Serafinowicz) and Barry (Phil Cornwell) run the least successful pub in the East End. Luckily they have a mate, Dodgy Phil (Kevin Eldon); a man who`s always one phone call away from transforming the pub into the next sure thing. Amongst his many contacts are Tribute Tom, Tribute Tribute Tom, Lovely Susan, Renovation Reg, Memorabilia Mick, Big Screen Dean and Paparazzi Paul.

Episode list:

Queen - It`s the 500th anniversary of the East End and the Queen is coming to visit. Dodgy Phil thinks this is an opportunity to boost trade at the King`s Head.

Drink - The pub re-opens as The Gym & Tonic sports bar but there`s competition from Needles leading to the ultimate in sports bar one-upmanship, culminating in a drink-off between Needles and Garry.

Bookshop - Trade is down (again) in the pub cum bookshop, but the East End is the new West End thanks to internationally acclaimed actress Julia Robbins. Robbins loves all things cockney and Dodgy Phil decides that dating her would boost trade.

Sixties - London becomes hip and trendy again with a bit of a sixties vibe. Dodgy Phil reckons the pub would be a winner converted to a live music venue and books latest music sensations The Cockneys for opening night.

Caine - Trade is down again and Dodgy Phil has the idea of converting the pub into a celebrity restaurant selling toast. Unfortunately Michael Caine gets wind of the ruse to cash in on his good cockney name.

Ladies - After the pub is nearly destroyed by football fans, the lads decide to open a pub for women after meeting Lovely Susan. Dodgy Phil is not impressed…

Video

Good picture as expected from the BBC.

Audio

Standard audio soundtrack that is well-subtitled, although there are a few minor errors such as `piece` being misspelled as `peace`.

Features

Eighty-six, nix.

Conclusion

I thought when I first received this DVD that it was one of those new fangled BBC3 sit coms that never makes it onto the mainstream BBC channels and therefore would be a bit crap. Not so, my jellied eels; it`s not even new, it was made in 2001. And it`s very very funny.

Written by Tony Roche, who`s also penned the recent The Thick Of It, World of Pub is a foray into the surreal world of the East End and all things cockney. It`s like a mix between Eastenders and the Self-Righteous Brothers with a bit of Father Ted built in. The plot, such as it is, revolves around increasing trade in the least successful pub ever and always ends with said pub in complete ruins, after either burning down, falling down or being blown up. With such a simple plot each week, there`s plenty of room for jokes and very surreal mini-sketches, and they are packed in very tightly. The comedy is quick and extremely funny, lots of counter culture references thrown in all over the place, most of them obvious.

It`s not often I find English comedy programmes that funny these days (yes, I speak of you Little Britain and the League of whatever) but I didn`t stop laughing throughout the entire but short run of 6 episodes. Excellent stuff.