Walliams & Friend

In structural terms, WALLIAMS AND FRIEND is an old-fashioned sketch show of the kind found in Eighties comedies such as THE TWO RONNIES and THE MIKE YARWOOD SHOW. Designed to show off the versatility of the star, it proves that he possesses comic talent, especially in cross-gender roles.

Some of the sketches are funnier than others; I especially enjoyed a spoof of THE GREAT British BAKE-OFF where Walliams (as Paul Hollywood) and guest Joanna Lumley (as Mary Berry) indulge in a lewd exchange of pleasantries involving the names of cakes and buns. I also liked Walliams's parody newsreader sketch reminiscent of Ronnie Barker at his best.

Joanna Lumley has great fun playing a variety of roles, including a sketch where she lectures a group of Lumley clones in how to behave in Lumleyesque fashion.