Dear old Rowley was always my favourite Fast Show character, and this was one of his best sketches, largely because the sad tone is so unexpected, as evidenced by the audience's uncertain laughter and the delay before the deserved applause.

I picked up the Fast Show box set recently at a bargain price, and was delighted to be reminded of just how funny it was. Plus, the extras include Johnny Depp doing a spot-on Rowley B impersonation. As the great man himself would say: "Mumbleincoherentmumble - Cairo! Aaah! - mumblemumble..."

I agree it is brilliantly done. First time I've seen it actually. Talented chap, that Paul Whitehouse.

Keith Richards' interviews on 'Blues Britannia'?

I've been watching the Dave re-runs with mounting enjoyment, especially the Arthur Atkinson stuff which left me cold as a callow youth. It now looks like Beckett with an absurdist and slightly menacing feel (I've seen ya wrappin presents. When its nobodies birthday!). I laughed for 10 minutes recently whilst watching it.

The creation of such a detailed history for the character - beginning in music hall, via 1940's propoganda films until finally ending up in 70's sex films is so beautifully realised it woould be the highlight of most shows - is a triumph in every way. And most people didnt even like the character.

It's very funny but occasionally deeply sad and often quite unsettling.

And what have we now? Mock The Week?

was always my favourite on the Fast Show. In particular the trumpet stylings of Jackson Jeffrey Jackson.

Best quote ever?

"Tune? This is jazz!"

I must sort out the drainage in the lower field.

via the magic of Yoytube that PW's history of Arthur Atkinson has him appearing in a Beckett-ish "Krapps Last Tape" styled play.

Presumably Mr Whitehouse had this in mind all along, turning a clown into something deeply dark and sinister.

The guy is an unbeleivably good actor though. The Ted and Ralph sketch where he's being abused by an aristocratic grouse shooter stands out. From servility to menace in second and still totally believable (I wouldn't walk in these woods at night sir. You heard what I said)

Amazing stuff. Life of Reilly has been re-comissioned.

I love the Arthur stuff as well as Competitive Dad. I found the Ted sketches boring and overated. But nearly everything else was spot on. Why is he reduced to that stupid ad about the Pompey fan,sad?

godlike

Simon Day's Billy Bleach spin-off series, Grass, being an understated and criminally-overlooked delight. And the Swiss Toni series were none too shabby either.

Is everyone here also aware of Down The Line? Basically a mini Fast Show reunion on the radio, and of similar quality.

http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/radio/down_the_line/

I'm not sure if that was fair or noble?

The lighting in that sketch is brilliant, the way the whites of his eyes jump out at you. It really draws you in to what he is saying.

"listen, the moon is weeping in a secret room"

Did anyone see the series Help that Whitehouse did with Chris Langham? It was the one where Langham played a psychotherapist and Whitehouse took on the role of virtually all his patients. Obviously it all got shelved after Langham's conviction but I thought the first series was excellent with Whitehouse excelling in all the parts he played. Arguably his greatest acting to date.

Here's a clip:

The taxi driver he played (Monty?) talking breezily and stoically about looking after his obviously very ill wife is startlingly good. It's the eyes.

Does anyone else become useless and nailed to the sofa when Discovery or whatever spends all day re-running both series of Industrial Revelations? I know I've seen them all before. I just like Mark Williams.

Everyone laughed, apart from Guy Ritchie...starring Owen Unconvincing