Rhys Thomas OBE’s long overdue tribute to Thotch- yes Thotch AGAIN! I know we’re always talking about them or Brian’s haphazard reissue project but the man is DEAD – front man, genre breaking world music star, plasticine pioneer (Video Only) and friend to snails of all ages – Sir Mr Brian Pern.
From the self serving tribute by part time drummer Philip Collins through Macca , Elton Liberace and Woopy Goldberg to name three that I can remember this was a star splattered love letter to the nearly departed rock deity who perished in a bizarre segway accident.
Fresh stories that Brian wouldn’t allowed to be told when he was alive were the main meat with a particular tale of infidelity involving 70’s drug casualty Orinoco that will mean listening to Wombling Merry Christmas will never be the same again. Of course Pat Quid and Tony Pebble of ver Thotch were on hand to recall their last sessions, lunches, phone calls and chance encounters with Brian.
This tribute should remain on the iplayer for eternity. Or a Tony Pebble organ solo – whichever is shorter. Only fans of Mike Batt could object to this lovingly constructed televisual treat.
(Loved Pern from the start, Simon Day has developed him into a fully rounded comic creation that goes beyond mere parody. Michael Kitchen as Pern’s manager steals the show with his 3 minute interview. Two Dr Who’s show great comic chops as do all the celebrity contributors and it’s a triumph from Collins to Gabriel. I hope the show goes on…)
Just watched last night – laughed out loud several times. Recommended
I guess I must be a Mike Batt fan. Woefully unfunny and given the fixation on Peter Gabriel, around 30 years out of date.
Isn’t the fixation on people 30 years out of date part of the point, the TV documentaries which ot spoofs being aimed at a demographic much like us – people who are more likely to watch a po-faced retrospective about Peter Gabriel than an investigation into latest developments on the grime scene?
You mean a grime scene investigation?
G.S.I. Bow
There is no statute of limitation in taking the piss out of pompous rock n progsters
Would that be G.S.I. Norn Iron in Colin’s case?
Phil Collins was good. As were several of the ‘turns’ – that bloke from Cold Feet as the deranged conspiracist superfamily f’rinstance and Mike Batt. But a lot of it felt a bit like retread, done possibly to enable star fans to get in on the act.
John Thomson does a great line in excitable, passionate but ultimately defeated individuals
I loved the tearing head off Orinoco on TOTP in a Sinead crossed with Phil C’S paint pot
Also the line. ‘I asked for vegan Percy Pigs from M&S. These are Haribo’
Spot on – passionate but ultimately defeated. Perfect AW fodder.
Some great lines. Even the reheated Bi-polar polar bears got a look in.
Amusing, but the feeling of barrels being scraped grew as it went on and the old gags came round the block again. Time to bid Mr Pern a fond farewell IMHO.
I always felt it was a great concept but the actors overdid the effing. It felt like trying to hard and didn’t ring true (to most other rockumentaries) – the odd eff, yes, but not strings of it.
Can’t recall any swearage last night – a nice swerve from Jane Asher that makes you wonder of it was written that way.
But then I’m not so precious about such fucking things
Pebblé, please. Not Pebble.
Sorry, you couldn’t hear my accent
Well I remember patiently drawing these on school exercise books, and my satchel.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t449/GCU_Grey_Area/Thotch-LLDOB_zpskxptrzib.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t449/GCU_Grey_Area/Thotch-TOTT_zpsrmf2irfy.jpg
Tall-ish boys? Ex-RAF greatcoats for goalposts? Acne, Excema and Painful Shyness? Or are they City’s new midfield? Possibly, don’t quote me on that.
I will watch this, but I never found the Brian Pern thing as funny as I thought I would or, indeed, as many my friends do! It just seemed a bit, well, obvious I suppose. Michael Kitchen was always good value, as was John Thompson, but for me it was basically one joke stretched very thinly. I’m glad he’s dead – there, I’ve said it, so sue me!
*spoiler*
He’s not dead
OK – seen it now. As usual, well observed and good for a modest chuckle with most of the best gags generously given to others. I’m glad I’ve seen it, but won’t save it to rewatch and wouldn’t be too sad if this turned out to be Brian Pern’s swan song.
My thoughts as well.
Enjoyed it but time to go.
The captions on ‘at the BBC’ made me laugh out loud.
I never found Brian Perl in the slightest bit funny.
There again I’ve never particularly liked Simon Day as a comedian
There’s a “Down the Line” episode where he plays a reformed criminal who is now an “expert” on crime and victim support – I listenend to this in the car driving home after work one day and I was literally crying with laughter for the final 15 minutes of the episode.
Now, I know humour is completely personal but give that a whirl before you finally write him off
I’ll post if I can find a link. If anyone does look it up I think it was the second of two episodes that he featured in
I love the Down the Line ep where he was Geoffrey Allerton Northern Miserablist poet. Also the “Shat it” caller with the barking dog