Phoenix Nights 2 [2001]

This second instalment of Peter Kay's cult sit-com is more upbeat than the first, with some genuine success coming to the characters and club, but it still has its hilariously subversive undertones: a botched hit job; an inflatable castle with an extra appendage; and Brian stuck on his stair lift for a day after a power cut, to take just three examples. The script remains brilliantly surreal and incredibly funny. All the favourite characters remain, with club bouncers Paddy and Max featuring in a couple of the meatier storylines (perhaps setting them up for their own spin-off series?) and Jerry continuing to wow the crowds with his original vocal stylings, the highlight being the grand Stars in Their Eyes final in which he offers his own unique clubland take on Eminem. It's brilliantly original stuff: roll on Series 3. --Kristen Bowditch

Based in a fictional working mens club in bolton, the pheonix club is run by Brian Potter (Peter Kay), a man wheel chair bound by a falling fruit machine, ably supported by his 'manuel' jerry st. clair (the compare) and hindered by the compulsive liar kenny snr, the man with a face painted like a tiger - kenny jnr, the aptly named mulleted DJ Ray Von, Ant and Dec the chinese illegal immigrants, Holy Mary the sweet jesus loving barmaid, and finished off with max (also played by Peter Kay) and paddy the bouncers. You cannot also forget the guest appearance of Jim Bowen as the Blackpool Hotelier.

Starting the series with his beloved club burn't down by the evil den perry, and his license revoked, Brian Potter has to rebuild the pheonix into 'sunshine indoors', the team some how over the series manage to get through a family fun day with a 20 foot penis shaped bouncy castle, a crimewatch reconstruction, a booze cruise, a ladies night, one failed assassination, and a stars in their eyes event where the stars didn't turn up. Yet they manage to regain the support of the brewery and convict the evil den perry for arson.

There are episodes where you laugh so much it hurts.

I cannot recommend this title more.


ACE!!   August 12, 2003
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Phoenix nights is a classic piece of work from the man from the top of the tower himself Peter Kay. Like in the first he plays Mr Brian Potter & Max the bouncer. This second series continues on from the first with Brian having to rebuild the club 'Phoenix Nights'. If this DVD is anything like the first with special features such as deleted clips, and episode commentary, then it will be a sure hit. However if you have yet to purchase series 1 and want series 2 I would recommend waiting for the box set, which includes both, this will be released later in the year around November. Overall I give phoenix nights series 2 5/5, definitely worth a purchase.


Phoenix Nights - Ding Dang Doo   September 4, 2003
david bedlow (derby, derbyshire United Kingdom)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Even better than Series 1, the series starts on a high with Brian re-recruiting all his old staff ("singing to folk in Asda - call that a career").

Each episode is excellent but episode 5 where the main focus is the opening of the Golden Phoenix restaurant is the best.

Due to the nature of the language, I cannot quote verbatum what is said but the moment when the fortune cookie is broken open and the end sequence when the audition is happening are pant-wettingly funny.

If it is anything like the first DVD, it will also be worthwhile buying for the xtras.

Shabba


Pull off into paradise!   August 20, 2003
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Alright, so it's not a particularly original comment now, but I'll say it anyway - Phoenix Nights is the funniest, most original thing to hit the small screen since Fawlty Towers, but it has managed, unlike some other sit-coms which had a great first series, but then fell a bit flat on the second (The Office??), to come back just as good the second time around.

Picking out favourite scenes is difficult because there are so many. As has become a kind of style with Phoenix Nights, the opening lines to some scenes are just plain hysterical - listen out for the receptionist on the 'phone at The Ponderosa: "Anyway mum, I'll have to call you back!" - nobody does stuff like this as well as Peter Kay. As per series one, there's some great cameos - Jim Bowen as "big time" Ponderosa owner Frank "Hoss" Cartwright for example: "I've got all rooms on suit (sic), lift to all floors, a soralium (sic) and if Carole's leg pays out, we're gonna get a jacuzzi!".

Like series one, there's no slack in the whole series, with each episode hitting the mark spot-on. The Ladies Night is pure gold - Paddy as stripper Lord Love Rocket ("They'd 'ave ripped me to bits if I hadn't farted!), and Brian getting trapped in his stairlift by a power cut ("Now, what would Thora Hird do?").
The final episode, with the Stars in Their Eyes night is a classic too - watch for Kenny Senior as Britney Spears ("That costume wasn't in the hamper!") - priceless!

And listen out for song lyrics patched into the dialogue: "You're twistin' me melon man!" and "Come on Jerry - ridicule's nothing to be scared of" - to list but two.

Also, don't miss Max & Paddy driving the minibus whilst singing "Is this the way to Amorillo?" - Tony Christie, eat your heart out!

Superb stuff, as usual from Mr Kay, and if the special features on the DVD are as good as series 1, this is money well spent!


The Phoenix has Risen!   October 6, 2003
Mr. C. Watmore (England)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

I am a big fan of Peter Kay and a big fan of his stand up shows and his TV series like 'That Peter Kay Thing' and of course 'Phoenix Nights'. Having watched the first series of Phoenix Nights roughly fifty times by now, I have been waiting for the release of the second series. The second series is even better than the first in my opinion.
The series starts where the first left off, the club has been burnt down, the Phoenix is no more. Everyone has got on with their lives except poor old Brian Potter (Kay). He still has a dream to make the Phoenix the number one club in clubland. But with no licence, no brewery backing and no club it doesn't seem possible. With determination and a great sales pitch he gets all his old friends to come back and pitch in to get the club up and running again.
There are great episodes in this series the first which shows you the characters in their normal lives Jerry and Alan singing about products in Asda. Kenny Senior a school lollipop man who lies to kids about knowing Jackie Chan, Max & Paddy running minibuses for Asian Elders.
The second episode sees Brian have the idea for a family funday to get the money raised to repair the Phoenix and also make people aware it's back. This results in an amusing Bouncy Castle which would probably make even Jordan blush. This episode also sees Max & Paddy on a run to France to load a lorry full of cheap booze to sell in the club. Unfortunatly they bring back more than just booze in the form of two Chinese men who are adopted by Brian to work in the clubs kitchen, who he then names 'Ant & Dec'.
There rest of the series features storys about a quiz night to win a years supply of a new Japanese Larger. Brian takes the Phoenix onto Crimetime (Similar to Crimewatch) to not only try and catch the culprit of the arson attack but also get free sponsorship for the club. A ladies night which sees one woman approach Max to try and get him to assinate her husband. The brewery wants to give the Phoenix a licence but needs to see a good show first, enter their version of Stars in Your Eyes, featuring Lulu, Adam Ant, Britney Spears, Meatloaf, Eminem and more.
Each episode is packed with laughs and there are many hidden gags you won't probably spot until you have watched it a few times or at least watched it with the commentary on for example the 'In Memory of Alan' signs in the first episode are Peter Kay's humerous acknowledgement of a Coronation Street Storyline, remember Alan Bradley and the Tram in Blackpool well he's brought the memory back, with Brian wheeling past the spot where flowers have been left.
This DVD comes packed with the usual extra features similar to the first series. There is a commentary be Peter Kay, Patrick McGuiness (Paddy), Steve Edge (Alan) and Archie Kelly (Kenny Senior). There are out-takes split into three sections, one features the out-takes for most of the cast, the second are the out-take for scenes with Max & Paddy and the third is simple titled 'The Bowan' featuring Jim Bowan's out-takes.
You have the usual trailers for the show and each episode which were screened on channel 4. Then there is a 'Special Treats' section. In here you'll find a video of an actual performer who featured on the show doing his routine. I admit I skipped over this a bit but will go back and watch it. For me though the best extras are 'The Van Song 1' and 'The Van Song 2' anyone who has seen the show and seen the first episode of season 2 can remember Max & Paddy in the minibus. Well here Patrick McGuiness and Peter Kay provide us with two more songs as they drive between filming locations, and better yet these songs are only available to the DVD owners, so if you like VHS and haven't upgraded to DVD yet, your missing out on seeing Peter Kay singing 'You Spin me Right Round' and the classic 'I Could Be So Good For You".
If you bought the first series get the second. If you haven't bought the first series get both. If you've never seen the show nows your chance. Buy it you'll not regret it. Perfect DVD for those miserable dark winter nights just around the corner.