I mean, your whole gig is making people laugh and heaps of people who have never heard of you will be watching, so you really want to be putting your best foot forward.

Well, that's what I expect when I hear a comedian has put together his own show.

It's clear UK comic Jack Whitehall doesn't feel the same way.

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He's in a doco series called Travels With My Father, where - as the title suggests - goes places with his dad, TV producer and talent agent Michael.

The vast bulk of the comedy in the series comes from Michael, who comes across as an upper class snob who gets around in suit jackets and hats and looks down his nose at everyone else.

His son - who is supposed to be a stand-up comedian - comes across as an awkward sidekick who mistakenly thinks he's funny.

Now, I'm pretty sure the father is not like this in real life; he's likely playing a caricature of himself. If that's what he was really like, it's hard to see him getting many acting clients.

Though that caricature has lost a lot of its sheen by the fourth season - in which they visit Australia - which is now available on Netflix.

Rather than decide to end the show after season three - which is what they should have done - they've tried to branch out and create more depth in the storyline.

So we have to sit through Jack having a heart-to-heart with his mother about how he feels like such a disappointment because, while his younger sister is getting married, he can't find a partner.

It's a conversation that is really dull and stilted and so out of character for the show.

Another huge problem is the overly scripted nature of this season. Sure, the show has always been scripted, but it's been done with a light touch.

This time out, it feels really heavy-handed and obvious. Some scenes - like the parents turning up at Jack's speed dating night - are so clearly put on for the cameras.

It leaves me with the feeling that the show has jumped the shark but hasn't realised it.

And not even the dad's grumpy schtick can save it.

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