Big School

Series one, episode two
David Walliams’ tedious documentary ‘Snapshot in Time’, in which he reunited old school chums, might have given cause for concern about his sitcom, entering its second episode tonight. But ‘Big School’ is genuinely funny, the absolute highlight being Headmistress Baron, played by Frances de la Tour, who’s brilliantly dry and has all the best lines. ‘It had better not be a play about talking fannies,’ she drawls from behind her huge desk before gulping from a glass of wine.

And Catherine Tate’s not bad either as French teacher Miss Postern. Is it just us, or is she getting less outlandish (read: annoying) the more she’s on telly? We approve. Miss Postern’s unfounded haughtiness is snigger-worthy, especially when she’s referring to mega pop star ‘La Femme Gah Gah’. You see, this week the school is running a talent show and the teachers are taking part, giving Walliams’s uptight character Mr Church a chance to get his oboe out for the ladies. Not laugh-a-minute stuff, but there are certainly enough funnies to amuse.