Cruise Of The Gods (BBC-2 2002, Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan)

Comedy drama Cruise Of The Gods focused on Andy Van Allen, the star of a cult 1980s British TV show called “Children of Castor” – since those days though he has fallen on hard times. He is invited as guest of honour on a cruise ship organised by fans of the show – with no better financial offers he reluctantly agrees but he holds the obsessive fans in a barely veiled contempt.

His co-star in the 80s show, Nick Lee, has since hit the big time in America as star of a show called “Sherlock Holmes in Miami” (which only makes the pain worse for Andy) and he joins the cruise later on and is only too happy to get into the spirit of the thing.

production details
UK / BBC Two / 1×90 minute episode / Broadcast 23 December 2002 @ 9:00pm

Writer: Tim Firth / Producer: Alison MacPhail / Director: Declan Lowney

cast
ROB BRYDON as Andy Van Allen
STEVE COOGAN as Nick Lee
JAMES CORDEN as Russell
HELEN COKER Jenny
DAVID WALLIAMS
PHILIP JACKSON as Hugh Bispham
NIALL BUGGY as Graham
RACHEL SHELLEY as Yasmina

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.