OK, OK, I know we only just posted about CooDon / BryGan a few weeks ago in semi-breathless anticipation of their new series, but now it's almost at an end, we think some remedial appreciation is in order.
The endless (but still funny) James Bond impressions aside, it's been a very different beast to the first season. The power dynamics have shifted, with Rob Brydon in the ascendance, suddenly getting the Hollywood scripts and the young blonde - previously the sole domain of Signor Coogan.
Steve C still gets SOME action, of course (thanks, repeat offender Yolanda the photographer), but they're almost equals now, Brydon with a new strut and a swagger and a much less submissive role as he jousts with Coogan. The most joyous parts, though, are still when they revel in each others' company, egging each other on to do (vaguely obscure) impersonations. Bask in this clip, unseen on TV, but part of the DVD extras:

Two grown men trade improvisational comedy and impressions as they drive around the more panoramic side of northern England. If you haven't seen The Trip, then we're insanely envious because watching it for the first time...well...is this not happiness? Anyway, here at Shandy Pockets, we're barley able to contain ourselves at the thought of the upcoming sequel, set in rural Italy. Read more about the HERE and delight in the clip, below...

Yeah, we're not really sure about this one. On one hand, what's wrong with some live entertainment to liven up the grinding tedium of boarding your flight? Something to click your fingers and tap your feet to as you jam your carry-on luggage into the overhead locker, carelessly squashing hat boxes and packed lunches.

On the other hand, unless you're a fan of musical theatre, the prospect of being a captive audience as a rogue band of chorus members strike up an unavoidable rendition of a Lion King song might be a worse nightmare than substantial turbulence. All I can say is, see how many people are ACTUALLY applauding outside of the people singing. And the guy on the left at the end looks positively mortified.

Some sage advice from Mr B, The Gentleman Rhymer. See his spiffing full interview HERE.

What do you consider the most important virtues when traveling on any kind of shared transport - planes especially?
Only enter into conversation upon descent into your destination, otherwise one may be left with eight hours of some dreadful bore's life story. I shudder at the very thought. And don't tell the crew you're carrying a musical instrument or they may ask for you to give your fellow passengers a bit of a turn.They may not all appreciate it. I know I wouldn't.

IN A TIME...when plane travel was still relatively glamorous, and the funniest thing you could do was spill a glass of cheap wine over poor Joanie Collins. Kind of a risky marketing tactic you'd think, given the exotic stylings of arch rivals Martini, but if you're British and of a certain age, these are the ones you remember...

Journey: A domestic layover at ORD.
The scene: I'm waiting in a small queue to put my things through the x-ray machine at security.
Describe your fellow traveller: A harassed-looking and apparently late John Cusak.
The review: First of all, I'm just putting my things into the trays when some guy cuts in line. I look up, do a slight double take and see it's Hollywood's John Cusak. I like many of his films and he looks inordinately stressed out so I decide to let him go on through. He only has  a small bag, which security pick up on and take a small bottle out of. It's green liquid, just over the regulation size. Security say they'll have to confiscate the bottle. JC does not like this information. He's very late, and now he chooses to argue about the legality of a small bottle of green liquid. He says it's a special kind of shampoo. I have no reason to disbelieve this, but security is standing firm. JC has a choice between arguing for the merits of his irreplaceable shampoo OR heading to catch a flight he is already late for. he makes one more remedial attempt, pulling in all his actorly powers to try and convey how essential this bottle is. Sad to say, not even his hometown security guys can do much for him. He kind of pouts but he doesn't hit diva mode. He runs off into the terminal, shampooless until Hollywood.
Verdict: Minus points for star-jumping the queue, but he remained polite under some (self-inflicted) pressure.
Rating: 3/5