TV Review: Brian Pern - A Tribute

Starring Simon Day, Rhys Thomas

Channel: BBC4


After the sudden death of the one time Thotch front man and inventor of World Music the BBC broadcast a tribute featuring contributions from other rock legends like Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and Elton John. Brian Pern is or course the fictional creation of Simon Day who plays Pern and Rhys Thomas who kinds of plays himself as the director of the film. The show plays with the format of such programmes with various talking heads like Brian's band mates played by Nigel Havers and Day's Fast Show cast mate Paul Whitehouse, his ex wives with his first one played by Jane Asher who had her own relationship with Paul McCartney in the 1960's and his manger played by deadpan wit of the highest order by Michael Kitchen. Another Fast Show cast member John Thomson makes a hilarious appearance as a Thotch fan who believes that Brian has faked his death and is now living in the Amazon. Doctor Who fans will be delighted by the appearances of both Christopher Eccleston and Peter Davison, Eccleston plays an edgy record producer who is not happy with producing a Prog Rock record while Davison as himself lambasted Brian's acting abilities when  Brian appeared on Doctor Who with clips showing his non acting ability. Brian's Advenntures in sound have provided some of the biggest laugh out moments of recent years so it is sad to see him go though they may be a chance that this is not the last we have seen of him.