House of Fools, BBC2 - TV review

Step aside, Manuel, Bosh is officially the worst waiter in sitcom history

House of Fools (BBC)

It was a welcome return for House of Fools. A Vic'n'Bob sitcom was always going to be fast-paced and surreal, but the first series occasionally felt as if it was frantically throwing out gags and hoping some would raise a laugh. Some did, of course (it's Vic'n'Bob!), but this more confident second series promises us a better hit ratio.

House of Fools has learned how to make the conventions of Seventies sitcom all its own, and so a simple sight gag involving badly stacked mugs was exaggerated into hilarity and the surprise of some near nudity was good for at least four laughs. Even Vic's awkward brother (Dan Skinner) seems to have finally found his place in the universe. Step aside, Manuel, Bosh is officially the worst waiter in sitcom history.

Seduction, music and slapstick are favourite topics for the duo and this episode combined all three to great effect. Vic and Bob fell out over a gig they were scheduled to perform at Julie's Bistro, on the same night that Erik had a blind date there, and the whole evening climaxed in a triumphant sing-along of Seventies R&B hit "Reunited". Foolish, but fabulous.