User Reviews

In an era of comedies that are over-hyped and undercooked Toast of London has, with hardly anyone noticing, delivered the goods. The travails of stage actor and frequent voice over artist Steven Toast are, in the hands of lead actor Matt berry (who also wrote the theme music) and writer Arthur (Father Ted) Mathews a clever mix of parody and pratfall with musical interludes which reveal Toasts world to be populated by colourful grotesques and passing fools. The situations that develop are delightfully eccentric and frankly not easy to describe as so much is down to pure timing, a hand gesture and a thrown look. Suffice to say if you enjoyed the more lunatic, surreal outer reaches of Father Ted you should be ready to try a slice of Toast.

The humour is so outrageous and insane (similar to an earlier series which Matt Berry was involved with The Mighty Boosh) that you can't help but laugh. Every week you get another 30 minute long helping of Steven Toast's failing acting career which has a minute possibility of working out, but this is the same show that featured a book publisher spontaneously com busting so anything can happen. One of the best and funniest comedy series from the last 5 years, Toast of London is brilliant entertainment. And much better than the hugely overrated BBC series Mrs Browns Boys which seems to be the only comedy show which gets good viewing figures nowadays.

One of the most hilarious comedies of recent past. Each episode is about 23 minutes long, and probably 15 minutes of that duration you'll ask yourself why you are watching this show, but somewhere in there there will be one routine, one joke or one moment where you will suddenly burst out laughing at jokes that you might have so far told yourself that you would never laugh at.

It's over the top, it's crazy but it has a lot of heart. A gem in Britain's comedy collection.

"Hello Stephen, this is Clem Fandango. Can you hear me?" :-D

I was already a fan of Matt Berry after seeing him in The IT Crowd, even though he wasn't a major character. But he really gets to shine in Toast of London, where he is both the writer and the star. His character, Steven Toast, is unsuccessful actor on the fringes of the profession. He is always finding himself in absurd situations and surrounded by silly characters, some of whom only last an episode. His agent Jane is a riot because she is always screwing up his bookings and putting him in humiliating situations. His arch-nemesis, Ray "bloody" Purchase, is also lots of fun, and since he's an actor Toast ends up seeing him all the time. But my absolute favorite scenes are when Toast is in the studio doing voice-overs. The 2 studio guys, including Clem Fandango, are outrageously funny. I look forward to these scenes every episode. I should also mention that each episode has a brief musical number, which seems to be the trend in absurd British comedies (Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy, The Mighty Boosh, etc). If you like absurd comedy, I suggest giving Toast of London a chance. From the pilot episode, it just gets better and better. And it was renewed for Season 2 which is just as brilliant as the first!

This glorious sitcom follows the life of Steven Toast. An actor and voice over actor that's somewhat of an underachiever, a little unlucky in life, he finds himself in some surreal situations. He has a definite eye for the ladies, and is supported in everyday life by his brother (and housemate) Ed and his agent Jane Plough. He often finds himself at loggerheads with his nemesis an fellow artiste Ray Purchase, caused by indiscretions with Ray's wife.

I have loved this show since the very fist episode, Matt Berry is just wonderful, a truly creative mind, he truly delivers and does not fail to disappoint. I love the character of Toast, he's such a cool guy, I love the hair. He's physically very funny too.

There are some fabulous performances, Clem Fandango and Jane Plough are both class, total caricatures, they are hilarious.

The guest performances are awesome too, Peter Davison is just brilliant. One of my favourites is from Stanley Townsend as Mr Fasili, the man has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

It's a great show, so surreal in many ways, the musical interludes are great, it is class! 10/10

This needs a series 4 this year. It really does. I first saw Matt Berry on the house of fools show, and saw him in the BAFTA's for this show.

Now, the absolute brilliance of this show. ALL of the characters fit in perfectly. What I think I like about this show is that the entire cast consists of secondary characters, all made to revolve around the single main character: Steven Toast.

It seems that the true comedy from Toast comes from his reaction to all the manic events around him.

For example, in certain scenes, Steven Toast wouldn't be half as funny if the secondary characters were replaced.

I think it is just the way Steven Toast deals with things with his incredibly out of place and eccentric personality makes it all the better. He treats it almost as if it is just normal. And his unpredictability always takes you by surprise, and always gets you laughing.

I found this show by accident two years ago, and I fell immediately in love with it. Of course it is sometimes crazy, unpredictable, and over the top, of course it is well scripted and well played. Together with "Drifters" it's my favorite comedy show.

But here is why I really was caught: My mother (rest in peace, mum) was an actress, and so I got some insight as a boy growing up, from six to fourteen approximately, into the local actor's "family".

So, many characters, behaviors, and events in this show are not uncommon for me. I recognize all this vanity, envy, life-long hate, sexual promiscuity, hubris, fear.....whatever you want, that makes an actor's or actress's life special and interesting, but also stressful because of the exaltation of most aspects of the normal life - even poverty or the struggle for income. For example, the life of an actor is torn apart from the beginning between the need to become famous and the need to have privacy...sailing these waters is always a difficult thing, because if you get much of one, you loose the other.

I remember me constantly being astonished about those strange people I met then, and I think that was the reason why I took another path - those people can also be very strenuous.

Toast let us have a view at the struggles of an actor who has his little moments of fame, but never gets really successful. He fails at most things in his life, but nevertheless survives ridiculously proud.

And believe me, although I grew up with Austrian actors, where everything is much smaller, it's the same here and there, and as strange that may sound, Toast is not far from reality as it is to be lived as a member of the biz.

If you don't have a background like me, you can of course enjoy this little show, which constantly (and successfully) tries to surprise you, mostly with black humor, or disarming humor, always well-meant, never (or rarely, to be precise) disgusting.

It's a little gem, and the only thing I have to criticize is, that it's only six episodes a season.

I'd never heard of Matt Berry until I watched What We Do in the Shadows (the series) and he steals the screen as Laszlo the vampire. I'm really getting into British comedy so I saw Toast of London on Netflix and decided to watch it. Matt is so entertaining as struggling (not in his mind) actor, Steven Toast who also happens to be quite the ladies man. Doon Mackichan is a scene stealer as his agent Jane. Other supporting characters who are really funny ; Harry Peacock as Steven's nemesis and fellow actor, Ray Purchase, Tracy Ann Oberman as Mrs Purchase, Ray's wife and Steven's sometime bedmate. My favorite character doesn't have a huge part but he cracks me up every time is Shazad Latif as Clem Fandango.

"Toast of London" is the story of a terrible actor and terrible person, Steven Toast (Matt Berry). He's so terrible that the show seems to be all about watching the guy ruin his life for our entertainment....a clear case of 'schadenfreude'. Since Berry can be a bombastic over-actor, he's just fine in the lead...and he creates someone you cannot help but dislike.

In many ways, this show plays a bit like a British and non-animated version of "BoJack Horseman"....where years and years of stepping on others is being repaid by watching the lead's career spiral downward. Very enjoyable and worth seeing.

This is a Channel 4 sitcom in which Matt Berry plays an unsuccessful actor in London.

It's brilliantly written and acted. All of the characters are hilarious.

There's a pilot episode and three series of six episodes each. Every one of the nineteen episodes is excellent.

A dry comedy show based in England that takes place in the setting of b-rated theatre and movie stages due to it's lead being a semi-known actor. It also revolves around his close friend, his agent and his love life. This is another one of those shows that could just as well have featured Matt LeBlanc and been in a Hollywood setting, the only difference being that this has some hitting (read; funny) dry humor (that at times is one of a kind and inventative). However, that is mixed out with a music number now and then (those are slipped in somewhat well) as well as not so original or not hitting comedic bits, overall it's alright as it actually leads to a few real laughs and a lot of chuckles.

Regarding the dry humor it is alright, it's not at par with coupling or "the worst..." "...of my life" neither is it close to the true older giants but it's funnier than most projects coming out of Hollywood - so it has that going for it. The dialogue is also wittingly written.

End Rant: Humor today needs a revamp. For me it seems like most have gone loud and taken an unintelligent turn (with few exceptions). Though, at least in the nation I'm in, the new names aren't taken care of in any way near a good way (there are new comedic names that arise but none to keep them in business and advance them - as far as i know).

I read the synopsis and the rave reviews and thought I would enjoy this sitcom but I watched the first episode and couldn't get into it so have ditched watching the rest of the series.

It's about an eccentric middle-aged actor who's just got divorce and whose career has seen better days. It's childish and crude all the things I thought I'd find funny but it didn't make me laugh out loud like others have said it made them do.

It's got some cracking actors in it which drew me to this series in the first place. Would it have got better for me if I stuck at it and watched more episodes? I doubt it and I don't think I'll bother to find out either.

I love the show; I'm a fan of UK humour anyway as im Australian but at first I wasn't totally sure I liked it, i was happy enough, BUT after 3+ episodes the show just explodes into life. The characters are established. Berry is killing it and it's funny as hell. The only poor reviews are from people who watched 1 or 2 episodes. Dead set check out the gay porn voice over scene near end of series 1 it's absolutely hysterical.

I LOVE BRITISH HUMOR, coming from a Armenian background I can relate to it so this show especially in Glendale California def has a cult following we love him and the way he pronounces everything is hilarious. Love the show.

I'm ecstatic today as I just found out that 'Toast' has been released for a fouth season - This is the best UK Comedy show of the last decade. Great to see people are still prepared to make non-PC comedy, although you would have to try very hard to find this offensive!

All of the Characters are brilliant: Matt Berry - always great, but this is his best role; Robert Bathurst as Ed - Deserves his own show, glad to see return as Toast's flatmate; Ray Purchase - Perfect pantomime villain; Mrs Puchase - great femme fatale; Clem Fandago - Toast's Nemesis: please return!

And all of the famous actors who appear for guest appearances add more great humour. Surely Peter Davidson can come and visit again?

This show got me through lockdown - I've watched each series 4-5 times now and I still get great joy out of each time - the sign of a truly quality show.

Please make series 5 Channel 4!

I watched this show as a 20 year old who loved how stupid it was. 10 years later, its nonsense has somehow gained profundity. Top 5 comedy shows of the decade.

Hands down one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. Matt Berry might very well be the funniest man alive. Under appreciated comedy about a down on his luck actor. Harry Peacock shines as Toast's arch nemesis Ray Purchase. Give it a try. You'll be glad you did.

Tgchan's rating: 6.5 /10

I love all that's British. I enjoyed it a lot but the jokes are stale and unfunny most of the time. I love England and all stuff related to be honest, so it was a joy for me watching it. I think it is mediocre at best, unless you fancy that kind of humour etc.

It was nice to watch during one of the darkest time in my life so far. Easy to enjoy and light enough to cheer you up.

The Toast Of London

Matt Berry leads the cast as the washed up, flaky thespian on the search for work more interesting than voice-over work, that appears to be matched with his limited skills.

He pursues his particular brand of quirky surreal situation comedy and it's a winning and inventive formula.

I'm giving this a firm 8 outta 10.

I watched the first episode of this show months ago and decided it wasn't for me. Nothing particularly wrong withit, but not what I was expecting.

This week it appeared on my suggested list and, because I'm a fan of Matt Berry, I thought I'd give it a second chance. Knowing what to expect this time made it a whole different experience.

It's odd, irreverent and very niche, but what it does it does well. Matt Berry is arrogant and blundering as ever, but no one does it better. The entire cast have an exaggerated charm about them that adds to the absurd appeal of this show.

It's not for everyone, but I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a change and an off the wall show with genuine talent at the helm.

This needs another review letting people know that great humour is very subjective and very difficult to achieve. In my option Steven Toast is not just an annoying character, but also not funny at all. 'Toast of London' is trying to be slapstick, but falls flat with shallow jokes and bloodless acting. But please, see for yourself, humour is very subjective as I say...

I really wish they'd release this show on a region free bluray because it's hilarious and when I can't find it on streaming I'm going to be very upset.