Man to Man with Dean Learner
Man to Man with Dean Learner
This is where I attempt to be some sort of reviewer! I like to think of myself as a bit of a TV comedy connoisseur and I feel that it’s right to share some of my thoughts!
Today i’m reviewing Man to Man with Dean Learner. This show is a spin-off from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace. A little background info: Richare Ayoade and Matthew Holness made the Channel 4 show Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace after the successful tour. This is a kind of spoof-deliberately-rubbish show about a hospital where strange happenings take place. In this it was made by Dean Learners (Ayoade) production company and he also stars in it. The character Dean Learner is also Garth Marenghi’s manager. Remember this is all in the sitcom. A little like the Alan Partridge situation.
The pair (Ayoade and Holness) teamed up again for Man to Man making a chat show. Here, Dean Learner is the host and he introduces a different guest each show, all played by Holness. This very much has taken a lot of influence from Alan Partridge in the Knowing me, Knowing you series. It’s a tragic, sort of rubbish show that doesn’t always go to plan but this is what is funny.
There are differences in character between Learner and Partridge. Partridge strikes you as a sad character who cannot help his career go down the drain where Learner is a powerful man who gives the impression he doesn’t need to do the show. There are also areas where he eludes to the fact that he’s had people “hit” for contractual disagreements. Learner gives the impression he doesn’t care when things go wrong. The character, like Partridge does have the odd slip where he’ll have his own rant about subjects he feels strongly about, such as Def Leppard’s name.
Holness’ characters are all very good and they do well to make them quite different. Personal favourites of mine are Marenghi himself and Merriman Weir, a depressing songwriter.
Overall it is more than a spoof chat-show and the characters are more complex than I can give them credit for in this “review”. I was pleasantly surprised with a series that, at the time of airing, I heard very little about. It is cleverly made and the characters have been well thought out. I would recommend watching if you get the chance.