The Peter Serafinowicz Show is a British sketch comedy show written by and starring Peter Serafinowicz. Its debut was on 4 October 2007 at 21:30 on BBC Two as part of the newly launched "Thursdays Are Funny" brand on the channel and Thursdays on ABC2. On 1 August 2008, American cable network G4 began broadcasting the show as part of their "Duty Free TV" block of international programming. The BBC decided not to produce a second series. A Christmas Special was aired on 23 December 2008.

Background

The show was commissioned after Serafinowicz posted O! News, a parody of E! News, on YouTube, under the name "Immenstrides". Robert Popper, who co-wrote, and co-starred in, both seasons of Look Around You with Serafinowicz, co-wrote four episodes of The Peter Serafinowicz Show and was a programme consultant for the entire series.

Format

The show was a mixture of sketches based on parodies of British television, using Serafinowicz's and other actors' impressions of notable television personalities. Examples include Heads or Tails, which is a parody of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, using the same mannerisms as Chris Tarrant. (Channel Five later created a real show based on the same principles.) In addition to Serafinowicz, recurring cast members included Belinda Stewart-Wilson, Catherine Shepherd, Paul Putner, Alex Lowe, Bronagh Gallagher, Sarah Alexander and Benedict Wong. Robert Popper, Sanjeev Kohli and Matt Berry also made onscreen appearances.

Ratings

Cancellation

The show was cancelled after its first series by the BBC. Serafinowicz posted a mock BBC News interview on YouTube stating he was leaving of his own accord due to being "unhappy with the BBC's decision to not recommission the series." The series was released on DVD on 1 February 2010.

Recurring characters and sketches

Episode list

Awards

For his performances in this series, Serafinowicz was awarded the Best Entertainer prize at the 2008 Rose d'Or ceremony. The series was also nominated for Best Comedy Programme at the 2009 BAFTA Television Awards.

Home Media

The series 1 DVD was released on 1 February 2010.