Please someone give Richard Ayoade and Matt Lucas their own show

There’s a certain chemistry between the two in the latest ‘Travel Man’… although not as much as Lucas would like.

When in Rome... Matt Lucas and Richard Ayoade engage in some swordplay. Source: SBS

If you’re a regular viewer of Travel Man (and not necessarily across all the latest British stand-up comedians), you might find yourself unfamiliar with some of host Richard Ayoade’s sightseeing companions. When he heads to Rome, however, he’s accompanied by one of the best-known faces in modern comedy: Matt Lucas.

The pairing works incredibly well, with the Little Britain creator and star a match for Ayoade in comic timing and off-the-cuff one-liners. There’s also a fun bit where Lucas wants to hold Ayoade’s hand and is rebuffed. More than once. They only have 20 or so minutes together on air and already they’ve created a running gag.

Source: SBS

While it remains to be seen whether Lucas and Ayoade will team up again, the prospect of a new comedy partner couldn’t come at a better time for Lucas. Little Britain is unlikely to be revived any time soon, and his recently released autobiography, Little Me, highlights a complicated relationship between Lucas and his former TV partner, David Walliams.

For now, we can enjoy seeing Lucas and Ayoade trip around the Italian capital, taking in ancient sites, testing their gladiatorial skills and definitely not holding hands. But who knows what the future holds?    

 

Watch the Rome episode of Travel Man on Monday 13 November at 8pm on SBS VICELAND.

Missed the last episode, where Ayoade falls apart in Miami? Watch it at SBS On Demand: