Watch Brian Pern

Brian Pern is a mockumentary series that premiered on BBC4 in 2014. This hilarious show revolves around the life and career of fictional rock star Brian Pern, played by Simon Day. The series is a parody of rock documentaries and chronicles the rise, fall, and attempted comeback of Brian Pern, who is presented as a washed-up has-been trying to stay in the spotlight.

The show uses a combination of interviews with real-life musicians, fictional documentary footage, and flashbacks to tell the story of Brian Pern's career, which spans several decades. The series features a star-studded cast with appearances from various musical icons, including Michael Kitchen, Roger Allam, Christopher Eccleston, and Jack Whitehall.

Brian Pern is a character who is larger than life, and his antics and eccentricities are a major part of the show. He is presented as a self-important and deluded rock star who is convinced of his own genius despite the fact that his career has stalled. Throughout the series, Pern attempts to stay relevant by embarking on a variety of bizarre schemes and publicity stunts, which often backfire in hilarious ways.

One of the funniest aspects of the show is how it parodies rock documentaries and the music industry. The series takes on the tropes of music documentaries, such as the endless shots of concert footage, backstage interviews, and dramatic voiceovers. The fictional characters within the show are also exaggerated versions of real-life musicians, with their own quirks and eccentricities. The show also pokes fun at the music industry, with its focus on image over substance, and how fame can be fickle and fleeting.

The humor in Brian Pern is broad and often absurd, with many of the jokes relying on physical comedy and puns. The show also features a lot of witty wordplay and clever references to popular culture. Despite the humor being often surreal, the show also manages to be poignant at times. There are moments of genuine pathos, particularly when the reality of Pern's faded career is shown in stark contrast to his former glory.

The show also features excellent music, with original songs written and performed by Simon Day and his co-writers. The music is a mix of different genres and styles, ranging from punk to indie to glam rock. The songs are often hilarious parodies of different musical genres, with lyrics that poke fun at the industry and the characters within the show.

Overall, Brian Pern is a hilarious and clever mockumentary series that will appeal to fans of rock music, comedy, and satire. The show's combination of humor and pathos, along with its clever parody of rock documentaries and music industry tropes, make it a standout comedy that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.