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Man To Man with Dean Learner [2006]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £5.93 (subject to change)

When it works it works!
Review date: 2008-07-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

...but when it doesn't it falls flat.

Fortunately it works most of the time.

This is part of the extended Garth Marenghi universe which you either know and love or gave up on when the show originally aired.

Richard Ayoade rocks with his dead pan delivery but unfortunately neither Matt Berry (in the cut-scenes) or Matthew Holness (as the guest every week) can match him.

If this had truly been a Dean Learner show and not a Matthew Holness vehicle then it could have been great. Unfortunately tying itself to Matthew Holness has dragged it down. Behind the scenes he'd be fantastic but in front of the camera we're unlikely to see anything better than his Darkplace.

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Reviews


Dark place this ain't
Review date: 2008-06-14 Rating: 6 out of 10

It is the same gang that did the excellent 'dark place'

Here the format is more 'Alan Partridge Knowing me, Knowing you'

Occassionally funny, but not in the same league.

Hit and miss.. but real moments of genius
Review date: 2007-10-24 Rating: 6 out of 10

I haven't yet bought the DVD but having watched the series this is an up and down affair. But the folk singer (Merriman Weir) episode is absolutely brilliant, contrary to what some other reviewers here seem to think. I suppose you either get it or you don't.

These guys are quite new to us and, to an extent, this series is a testing ground for potential comedy characters in the same way as some of Steve Coogan's programmes of the mid-90s were. Coogan eventually settled for the wonderful Alan Partridge. It'll be interesting to see if any of these characters are still around in a few years time.

an undiscovered gem
Review date: 2007-10-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is an excellent show that was never given a proper chance when it was aired. Like Darkplace, poor scheduling and ill-considered reviews denied a great programme its due. I recall Darkplace getting panned by critics and comedy fans alike when it first came out - now it's seen as a cult hit. The ironic thing is that the same thing seems to have happened to Man to Man, but without the chance of it building a cult following before the DVD release. In many ways I believe this to be superior show to the (rightly now-praised) Darkplace. There's more variety, the performances are sharper and some of the characters, especially Learner himself, show real depth here.

As for the current debate about audience laughter, i find it very tiresome. One of my favourite pieces of comedy is the Peter Cook special on Clive Anderson, filmed in front of an audience to loud (genuine) audience laughter. In fact that show has more in common with M2M in terms of feel and structure than Alan Partridge. On Partridge, the guests were more or less stooges for Coogan. Here the guests shine as much as the hosts. This is not to knock Partridge or the (well played) guests - it's a great show - I just think that was more of a one man show than this. Man to Man a great comedy that manages to parody the mutual back-slapping that most interview shows have become. And it would be almost perverse if the show wasn't in front of an audience. It IS a comedy show and thousands of comedy shows are in front of audiences. Plus it FEELS live and not canned - it WAS recorded infront of an audience. It feels like the laughter on Parkinson or Jonathan Ross.

Lastly, the extras and menus are just superb with hours of great features (and if you really can't stand the laughter you can watch all pre-recorded VT clips like the excellent War of the Wasps without audience response). I haven't ever written a review of a show before, but I think the nay-sayers must be countered! I think this will be seen as a worthy companion to Darkplace - a programme that allows characters to be presented in a different but equally valid and funny way to the more clearly spoofy framework of Garth Marenghi. I couldn't recommend it highly enough - a real grower - and a great DVD package.

I can't let Mr. Milne call this a one star show
Review date: 2007-10-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

I just rec'd my dvd of this show and it is just as good the second time around. i'm very surprised (and sad) that some dude called this a one star show: if you don't find yourself laughing out loud at this show then it sounds like you are taking everything in life WAY too seriously. Kick back and enjoy the show! These guys are very, very good at what they do. I can't wait to see what they do next. Also, Amazon appears to be ignorant of all the extras (at least, all the extras that came with my disk). They are:

DISC 1 EXTRAS

VT Clips without audience laughter. Go to the end of the 'Episodes' menu EASTER EGG

Crab Ball Invite
DISC 2 EXTRAS

Dean and his illustrious guest all have individual video clips for their menu pages. One contains an Easter Egg.

MR. DEAN LEARNER ESQ

Interview Compilation
Colour Bars
Series Trailers
Stills Gallery
The Man to Man LP
MR. RANDOLPH CAER ESQ

Alternate 'Inside Face' Interview
Full 'Crab Ball' Meeting
Extended 'Crab Ball'
Extended 'Bros Roads'
Dean Talking Crabs
Episode Trailer
MR. GARTH MARENGHI ESQ

War of the Wasps with Stereo Full Music mix
War of the Wasps with 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound mix
Garth's Storyboard Animation for War of the Wasps
Episode Trailer
MR. STEVE PISING ESQ

Extended Pising in the Driving Seat
Pising Press Conference
Extended 'The Learner'
Additional 'The Learner'
Episode Trailer
MR. GLYNN NIMRON ESQ

Deleted 'Bot' Scenes with and without audio commentary
Extended Sci-Fi Convention
MR. MERRIMAN WEIR ESQ

'Gallows Man' Live
Pilot Episode - Merriman Backstage
Episode Trailers
MR. AMIR CHANAN ESQ

Extended Bathtime with Amir
Episode Trailers
EASTER EGGS

Pillow Fight
Extra Glynn
Steve Pising's Camel Commentary


ENJOY!!!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Matthew Holness
Richard Ayoade

Creators:
Richard Ayoade (Primary Contributor)
Matthew Holness (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Channel 4 DVD
Manufacturer: Channel 4 DVD
EAN: 6867441015499
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-03
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 150 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)

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