The Life of Rock with Brian Pern
| Brian Pern: A Life in Rock | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Life of Rock with Brian Pern |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Written by | |
| Directed by | Rhys Thomas |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 6 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Saurabh Kakkar |
| Producer(s) | Rhys Thomas |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) | BBC Comedy |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel |
|
| Picture format | 16:9 1080i |
| Original run | 10 February 2014 – 22 December 2014 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Brian Pern: A Life in Rock is a British comedy spoof documentary following ageing rock star Brian Pern, former frontman of the 1970s progressive rock group Thotch. Series 1, titled The Life of Rock, with Brian Pern, was originally broadcast in three weekly parts on BBC Four from 10 February 2014. A second series of three episodes was promoted to BBC Two and aired from 9 December 2014, retitled Brian Pern: A Life in Rock. The series is written by Rhys Thomas and Simon Day, and directed and produced by Rhys Thomas. The character of Pern, who claims to have "invented world music" and been "the first musician to use Plasticine in videos", is an affectionate parody of Peter Gabriel.[1]
The show has yet to be released on DVD.
Cast
In addition to the actors below, the following appear as themselves: Roger Moore, David Arnold, Peter Gabriel, David Baddiel, Noel Edmonds, Roger Taylor, Jools Holland, Rick Wakeman, Miranda Sawyer, John Humphrys, Dan Cruickshank, Rick Parfitt, Mike Read, Jack Whitehall, Martin Freeman, Kathy Burke, Chrissie Hynde, Tim Rice, Alan Yentob, Billy Bragg, Roy Wood, Paul Young, Simon McCoy, Mark King and Annie Nightingale.
- Simon Day as Brian Pern
- Michael Kitchen as John Farrow
- Paul Whitehouse as Pat Quid/Mike Smash
- Nigel Havers as Tony Pebblé
- Vic Reeves as Dermot O'Hare
- Bob Mortimer as Dermot Mulligan
- Kathy Burke as Musical Director (Series 2)
- Lucy Montgomery as Pepita/Xanadu Bramble/Gorilla Keeper/other voices
- Matt Lucas as Ray Thomas
- Martin Freeman as Young Brian Pern
- Anna Maxwell Martin as Jess Parish, Head of Global Music.
- Danny John-Jules as Nigel Rogers
- Michael Smiley as Micky Murray
- Frances Barber as Wendy Mankowicz
- Tony Way as Rick Parfitt/Captain Cupnutz
- Rhys Thomas as himself/Leo Sayer/Commander Perry Benson/Jim Henson/Raoni Metuktire
- Al Murray as Jon Westmore (Series 1) / Eddie Mount: Drummer (Series 2)
- Jack Whitehall as Young Tony Pebblé
- Philip Pope as Mike Philips
- Dave Cummings as John
- Stephen Burge as Norman Wheatcroft
- Dean Thomas as Mike Spelling
- Justyn Thomas as Jed
Production
The commissioning of the series was announced by Janice Hadlow on 22 August 2013 at the Edinburgh International Television Festival under the name of Rock Ratatouille.[2][3][4][5][6] The series is a BBC Comedy production.[7]
Reception
Musician Peter Gabriel, on whom the character of Pern is based, said of the series: "It made me laugh a lot, even though it was at my expense. I love to laugh. Spike Milligan was a hero to me and I was a big Fast Show fan, but I’m not sure that part of me comes across when I bore people about politics and social stuff. People can’t always see who you really are."[8]
Reviews
Reviews for the series were overwhelmingly positive with many citing the biting satire of the rock and roll industry and how every detail of the rock documentary was mercifully spoofed.
Episode list
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | UK viewers (millions)[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | "Birth of Rock" | Rhys Thomas | Rhys Thomas and Simon Day | 10 February 2014 | N/A |
| 1.2 | "Middle Age of Rock" | Rhys Thomas | Rhys Thomas and Simon Day | 17 February 2014 | N/A |
| 1.3 | "Death of Rock" | Rhys Thomas | Rhys Thomas and Simon Day | 24 February 2014 | N/A |
| 2.1 | "Jukebox Musical" | Rhys Thomas | Rhys Thomas and Simon Day | 9 December 2014 | N/A |
| 2.2 | "The Day Of The Triffids" | Rhys Thomas | Rhys Thomas and Simon Day | 16 December 2014 | N/A |
| 2.3 | "Bi-Polar Polar Bear Aid" | Rhys Thomas | Rhys Thomas and Simon Day | 22 December 2014 | N/A |
References
- ↑ "The Life of Rock with Brian Pern". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ↑ "BBC reveals new commissions at the Edinburgh Festival". BBC. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ "Janice Hadlow announces raft of new BBC Two and BBC Four commissions". BBC. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ "BBC Four orders Simon Day series Rock Ratatouille". British Comedy Guide. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ "Simon Day to front rock mockumentary". Chortle. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ Jeffery, Morgan (22 August 2013). "'Fast Show' star Simon Day for new BBC Four comedy 'Rock Ratatouille'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ "BBC Four announces new comedies for 2014". BBC. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ↑ "'I'm glad my adolescent fantasies were explored to some extent': How fame hit Peter Gabriel like a Sledgehammer". Mail Online. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ↑ "BARB Top 30s".