I have a confession to make, Scoopers. I’ve been putting a brave face on things, Boosh-wise. I’m still convinced Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt are two of the most unique minds working in television at the moment, and I *have* enjoyed the series thus far, but I’m afraid even last week’s episode (Journey To The Centre Of The Punk), which I could totally appreciate the genius of, left me without that buzz that means I don’t just love the Boosh – I’m a fan of it, the way one is of a band that just makes you supremely happy.

You might remember that I described episodes from series one and two as pairs of old shoes – comfy and familiar. This series on the other hand has, so far, been more akin to designer killer heels – beautiful, and clearly made with infinite care, but ultimately requiring a lot of bedding in. But last night’s episode, The Power Of The Crimp, is something else entirely. We’re talking slipper-esque, and yet with that brilliant sparkle which reminds you why you fell in love with the show in the first place. (Don’t worry, the shoe metaphor ends here).

This epsiode didn’t feature any far-off worlds or love-sick sea-monsters, but what it had was the best dialogue seen in the Boosh since… well probably since the first series to be honest. It followed Howard and Vince as they tried to reclaim their style from the charlatan copy-cats the Flighty Zeus (played by Tom Meeten and Simon Farnaby). That is, to be honest, the entirety of the plot, but when you have an episode that is this sweet, and this funny, who cares about plot?

Having the Boosh discuss their own style, their own little quirks and idiosyncrasies, was an absolute joy for a long-term fan like myself, and I have absolutely no doubt that the more a viewer has invested in the Boosh previously, the more he or she will have got out of this episode. Everything I love about Noel/Vince and Julian/Howard was discussed, explored, reminisced about, and celebrated.

There was genuine affection between the shopkeepers, there were little in-jokes about their crappy scheduling, the cute a-capella songs that act as a secret language between the two ensured their victory, they acknowledged out-loud that they create one person together – Bob Fossil was back and dancing for goodness sake! It was as if Noel and Julian were saying “actually, we *know* what drew you to the show in the first place, it’s just that we’ve decided to stretch you most of the time. It’s for your own good. But go on, you can have this one.” What was endearing about this episode was the level of self-awareness – it is a great thing to know oneself, and to be able to laugh while simultaneously being genuinely affectionate.

I am willing to accept that this episode may not be the most accomplished overall, (though the songs were probably the most memorable of the series so far) and that others with denser plotting and interesting characters will grow on me in time, but like Charlie from the first series, or Milky Joe from the second, I know that I’ll be reaching for this when I want a half hour of pure Booshiness.

TV Review – The Mighty Boosh: Eels
TV Review – The Mighty Boosh: Journey To The Centre Of The Punk
Why I Love… The Mighty Boosh
The Mighty Boosh… Why?