If scientists on the Human Genome Project fancied isolating the gene responsible for insufferable smugness, might I suggest taking a blood sample from Benet Brandreth. A large blood sample. Say, six pints...Benet’s father, Gyles, ex-Tory MP, Just A Minute regular and resident of Countdown’s Dictionary Corner, is undoubtedly smug but gets away with it. Just. By being witty, erudite and the only Brandreth we knew about. Brandreth junior takes smugness to a terrifying new level in this show. Just look at the poster if you don’t believe me: the arrogant, reptilian cunning in his eyes, the self-satisfied smile, that stupid Easter-Island chin...It doesn’t help that Brandreth has chosen to exaggerate the least attractive of his qualities, creating a sort of ultra-arrogant James Bond alter ego. As a fictional creation, a monstrous uber-twat could be fantastic fun but the ensuing monologue is unremittingly dull.The narrative sees our hero take a call from our glorious Prime Minister (and there’s no hint that Cameron should be, or could be, perceived as anything other than the saviour of the nation) and become embroiled in an overly complicated plot involving kidnapped royalty. This reviewer lost interest almost from the off.I found Brandreth a charisma-vacuum whose piece is hideously overwritten, though I’ll admit there’s a good description of a naked Duke Of Edinburgh falling into a vat of olive oil. Dispiriting.
