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'''Little Britain''' is a character-based sketch show first appearing on BBC radio and then television. It was written by and stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams, and relies largely on simplistic caricatures and heavy use of catch-phrases. Its title is an of the terms 'Little England' and 'Great Britain', and is also the name of a Victorian neighbourhood and modern street in London [1]. An American version of the series will be made for HBO by Lucas and Walliams in 2007.
Many of the characters on the show have their own often-repeated catchphrases. Many have become well-known in the United Kingdom, and the show has gained a mainstream following.
History
Most of the TV material was adapted from the radio version, but with more emphasis on recurring characters and catchphrases. As a result of its success, the first television series was repeated on the more mainstream channel BBC Two. Although reactions were mixed, many critics were enthusiastic, and the show was commissioned for another run.
The second TV series, featuring several new characters, began on BBC Three October 19, 2004. Because of its popularity, the scheduled repeats were "promoted" to BBC One, starting December 3 2004, which guaranteed higher ratings. However, the episodes were edited for their BBC One run, as the material was deemed too offensive for the BBC One audience.
A third series began on 17 November 2005 on BBC One, and ended six weeks later. After its transmission, it was unclear whether there would be another, as so many sketches were given dramatic twists and "wrapped up" — see individual character articles for examples. Lucas and Walliams were reportedly in talks for a fourth series with the BBC. Furthermore, they admitted in an interview they preferred to "kill off" certain characters in order to make way for new ones. As part of Red Nose Day 2007, BBC One broadcast sketches recorded at the live stage show version featuring the real Dennis Waterman as well as supermodel Kate Moss in sketches.
Radio 4 began a rerun of all nine episodes in February 2004. Unusually, this overlapped with a rerun on digital radio channel BBC 7 of the first five, which began in mid-March. In June–July 2004, BBC 7 broadcast the remaining four.
All the episodes for the series were filmed at Pinewood Studios.
Style and content
The format of the show is a compilation of short sketches featuring recurring characters, linked by narration from Tom Baker (most famous as the Fourth Doctor on ''Doctor Who''). The voiceovers take a wry look at Britain, with comically absurd statements on the nation's character, such as, "Britain. .. We've had running water for over 10 years, an underground tunnel linking us to Peru, and we invented the cat" or, "Unlike other countries, Britain has people of two genders: women and men."
The style of ''Little Britain'' has evolved over the years. The radio series and first season on TV tended to consist of surreal concepts taken to logical extremes (such as the witch employing contractors to build her gingerbread house or the man leaving increasingly bizarre messages on his answering machine.) The sketches that caught the public's imagination, however, tended to be those which gave rise to memorable catchphrases and memes.
Cast
Matt Lucas and David Walliams play all the main characters in the show. Tom Baker narrates and Paul Putner, Steve Furst, Sally Rogers, David Foxxe, Samantha Power, Yuki Kushida and Stirling Gallacher regularly appear as several different characters.
Other regular cast include Anthony Head as the Prime Minister, Ruth Jones as Myfanwy, Charu Bala Chokshi as Meera and Joann Condon as Fat Pat.
Guest appearances
Since its debut on television, ''Little Britain'' has featured many guest appearances from celebrities and television personalities playing characters. These include Rob Brydon as Bubbles DeVere's ex-husband Roman, Jamie Theakston as Prime Minister's old friend, Dawn French as Vicky Pollard's mother Shelly, Nigel Havers as the Leader of the Opposition, Patricia Kane as an elderly resident of Llandewi Breffi, Peter Kay as Dudley Punt's brother Les and Ruth Madoc as Daffyd Thomas' mother.
Many have also appeared as themselves including David Baddiel, Tyson Reinhardt, Jennie Bond, Ronnie Corbett, Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee (deleted scenes), Cat Deeley, Vanessa Feltz, Trisha Goddard, Keith Harris (deleted scenes), Elton John, Derek Martin, Paul McKenna, George Michael, Richard Madeley, Judy Finnigan, David Soul, Les McKeown, Mollie Sugden and Robbie Williams.
Main characters
Main articles: Little Britain characters
As a sketch show, ''Little Britain'' features many characters, most are played by Lucas and Walliams with varying degrees of costume and makeup. The following is a summary of the most well known.
★ 'Vicky Pollard': rude, 18-year-old Bristolian chav with twelve children, ridiculing the stereotypical "chav" image of teenage parenthood. She is known for her rapid-fire speech, which often starts with "But yeah, but no, but yeah, but no, but yeah..."
★ 'Daffyd Thomas': a homosexual with homophobiahomophobic tendencies who believes he is the "only gay in the village", constantly denying the presence of other gays though he is confronted with them in each sketch. He is always dressed in tiny, skin tight, and ridiculous outfits (such as a vinyl sailor suit).
★ 'Bubbles DeVere': An obese woman and sexual predator. Her scenes all transpire in the spa where she has been staying for an undetermined (but obviously long) time. She believes herself to be irresistibly charming and gorgeous.
★ 'Desiree DeVere': Bubbles' obese Anglo-African rival.
★ 'Lou Todd and Andy Pipkin': Andy feigns needing a wheelchair in order to have Lou, his kindly yet oblivious personal carer, do all his chores and work for him. Andy also delights in tormenting Lou with contradictory requests.
★ 'Marjorie Dawes': leader of the "Fat Fighters" weight loss group. She enjoys taunting her group, despite being overweight herself. Her "policies" include trying to convince her members that eating dust is a good way to lose weight, and to cut food in half because "by eating half the calories, you can have twice as much".
★ 'Edward 'Emily' Howard': "rubbish transvestite" who tries, unsuccessfully, to convince everyone that he is a "lady". Has a similar friend named Florence.
★ 'Sebastian Love': An exuberantly camp Prime Ministerial aide. He is smitten with his superior. He often acts like a childish school-girl.
★ 'Anne and Dr Lawrence': part-time mental health patient and her caregiver. Anne is completely normal, except in the presence of Dr Lawrence. The doctor insists that she is showing great promise due to his treatment, though she continues to do things like pour coffee over his head and stroke strangers' faces.
★ 'Dennis Waterman': a small out-of-work actor (a caricature of his real-life namesake), who always wants to "write the feem toon, sing the feem toon" (Series 1–2). The recent ''Little Britain Live'' stage show included a mock ad-lib sequence in which Lucas and Walliams question the logic of their caricature, which in fact bears little resemblance to Waterman. In a recent special recording of the sketch for Comic Relief 2007, Waterman himself appears on stage and confronts the two, forcing them to admit that in voice and appearance there is no resemblance. He is forced to concede that he has often written and sung the "feem toon" of programmes in which he has appeared.
★ 'Mr Mann, Roy, and Margaret': Mr Mann always visits Roy's shop to buy an impossibly exact item, for which Roy has to ask Margaret (who is never seen, and eventually remarks that she's limbless).
★ 'Carol Beer': listless bank worker (later a travel agent and then holiday rep) who processes customers' requests on her computer, usually responding with a flat and disinterested "Computer says no ...", and a discourteous cough at the customer. However, in the 2005 Christmas special, she is asked about a virtually impossible cruise at a giveaway price, to which she responds "Computer says yes!". The customer then coughs towards her. (Series 2–3, ''Little Britain Abroad'')
★ 'Bernard Chumley': an aging failed actor that lives in public housing (The Sandy Toksvig House) with his invalid sister, who he admits was crippled in a car accident that was his fault ("of course, we can laugh about it now, but at the time it was terrible"). He steals her meals on wheels and tries to have her taken away for burial before she is actually dead.
★ 'Harvey Pincher': a soon-to-be-married upper-class man, who shocks outsiders of his family by his unusual habit — he is still breast fed (Series 2).
★ 'Ray McCooney': an irritating, bizarre Scottish hotel owner who speaks in arcane riddles, punctuating his speech with short but elaborate melodies (often TV themes) played on a flute-like instrument he calls a 'piccolillo'.
★ 'Jason & Gary': Gary lives in a lower-class family in a flat, but Jason has hallucinations that Gary's Grandmother is "beautiful".
★ 'Mrs Emery': A casual, friendly, elderly lady, but seems to have Urinating Problems.
Catchphrases
Carol Beer: "Computer says 'No'."
Desiree DeVere
A lot of the humour in the show relies heavily on the consistent use of character based catchphrases. These are some of the most well-known:
| Character | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Andy Pipkin | "Yeah I know", as well as "Don't like it", "I want that one", "She pushed me", "I look a pillock" and "Stop repeatin' evryfin' I say!" |
| Lou Todd | "What a kerfuffle", ''(to Andy)'' "But you said...,''(insert abnormally long paraphrasing here)'' "Are you sure you want this one?" |
| Vicky Pollard | "No but yeah but no but yeah but. ..", "Oh my God I so can't believe you just said that!" "SHUT AP!!", "Don't go giving me evils!" "Ahriiiiiiiight!" "I didnt even do nuffin or nuffin!" and "I'm gettin' there!" |
| Sebastian Love | "Whatevah", "Ooh Michael!", "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT?!" "Yes Priministah!" and "Bitch!" |
| Marjorie Dawes | "Dust? Anybody? No? Dust?", "Oooh man I love the cake!", "Do it again!" and "''(in a stereotypical Jamaican accent)'' You is fat! Oooh man you is fat! You one big fat thing! You fatty fatty fatty!", "Scrrrrrreew You!", "-But yyyyooooou are summin else!" "Hello, fatties!" "Oh, it's not easy is it?" "Some of you may have noticed that we have a neeeeeeeeeeeewwww face here at Fat Fighters!" and "Right then Fat Fighters! |
| Bubbles DeVere | "Hello Darling!", "Champagne! Champagne for everyone!" "Take a picture, it'll last longer!" and "Call me Bubbles darling, everybody does." |
| Desiree DeVere | "This is so fatiguing to me!", "Oh hullo Bubby (baby), so nice to meet you. ''(eyes rolling)'' and "How dare you make personal remarks about my air-hole!" |
| Daffyd Thomas | "I am the only gay in the village.", "I am a gay you know.", "I can't because I'm gay.", "I'm here, I'm queer, get used to it!", "Another Bacardi and Coke please, Myfanwy.", "Homophobe!", "I (sentence) and that's that!" and "It's not easy being the only gay in the village, in fact it's bloody hard!" |
| Carol Beer | "Computer says no. ''(cough)''" |
| Emily Howard | "I'm a lady!", "Well being a lady, I do ladies things! (and sometimes end her long sentence with "... and shit.)" |
| Roy and Margaret | 'Roy': "I don't know what to suggest! Margaret will know.", "Margaret! Margaret!" ''(very long pause)'' 'Margaret' "...Yes?" and after showing Mr Mann the product, 'Roy': "Well, what d'you reckon?" |
| Dennis Waterman | "So they want me to star in it, write the feem toon, sing the feem toon. .." and "Don't patronize me" |
| Des Kaye | "Wicky woo!" and "Top of the morning, where's me breakfast?" |
| Kenny Craig | "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don't look around the eyes, look into my eyes. ..''(clicks fingers)'' you're under!" and "3-2-1, you're back in the room!" |
| Harvey Pincher | "Bitty. .." |
| Anne | "EH EH EHHHH!" and (on phone) "Er, hello, hi I'm (describing where she is) can I call you back?" |
| Ray McCooney | "Yeeeeeesss." and "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not." "Ye know too much!" |
| Ting Tong Macadangdang | "Pwease Mr Dudwey!" |
| Linda Flint | "Hello Martin, it's Linda", "That's right, ''(insert insulting adjective)''" ,"You know (Person's name)". |
| Viv Tudor | "Aww he's Gawwwwgeous!!" |
| Dame Sally Markham | "How many pages Miss Grace?" |
| Jason | "Oh! Hell-lo!" and "Oh baby, oh baby" |
Episodes
Main articles: List of Little Britain episodes
As of April 2007 there are three series of ''Little Britain'' consisting of 20 episodes. Additionally there is a separate pilot episode, two charity specials and a two part Christmas special known as ''Little Britain Abroad'', which was broadcast in December 2006. This makes a total of 25 episodes to date.
Charity
★ In 2005, to raise money for Comic Relief, David Walliams and Matt Lucas made a special edition of the show, dubbed ''Little, Little Britain''. The episode included a variety of sketches with celebrities. These included George Michael, Robbie Williams and Elton John. This was released on a limited edition DVD and was released in the United States as "Little, Little Britain" on the region 1 version of the Little Britain Season 2 DVD.
★ A live Little Britain show was made for Comic Relief at the Hammersmith Apollo on November 22 2006 and featured many guest artists and celebrities, this was released in March 2007 and televised as part of Comic Relief: The Big One.
★
★ Kate Moss appeared as Vicky Pollard's twin sister.[2]
★
★ Dawn French as barmaid Myfanwy in the Llandewi Breffi village pub. . Also appeared in the 2006 Christmas special as Vicky Pollard's Mother.
★
★ Russell Brand as a crossdressing plumber who comes out to "fellow crossdresser", Emily Howard.
★
★ Jonathan Ross as the celebrity guest that Judy vomits on at the village fete.
★
★ Chris Moyles as an overweight victim of Marjorie's fatfighter's club.
★
★ Dennis Waterman as himself, complaining about his portrayal in the Dennis Waterman sketch.
★
★ Peter Kay as wheelchair bound Brian Potter.
★
★ David Baddiel as a member of the audience brought onstage.
★
★ Jeremy Edwards as a raped contestant of Des Kaye's "Hide the Sausage" game
★
★ Patsy Kensit as a girl with hairy armpits who went to seek advice from Linda Flint.
★
★ Kate Thornton also had a cameo role.
★ Matt Lucas as Andy Pipkin recorded a remake of "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" with The Proclaimers and Brian Potter (Peter Kay) in March 2007.
Criticism
The series, and in particular its second and third season, have been criticised for their perceived treatment of minority groups. For example, Johann Hari, writing in ''The Independent'', stated:
Similarly, Fergus Sheppard, writing in ''The Scotsman'' wrote:
The programme has become increasingly popular with children, despite being shown after the watershed; however, there has been criticism from teachers that the programme leads to copycat behaviour in the playground.[3]
Although the series' supporters have dismissed these attacks, the suggestions of unhelpful attitudes towards race are hard to shake off, since regular characters in series 3 included an obese black woman (played by Walliams, albeit that she is the enemy of an obese white woman), and an unattractive Thai bride (played by Lucas, though she is married to an equally unattractive white man). This is in contrast to the first TV series, which contained a sketch apparently aimed at racist attitudes: two men in blackface (as once seen in ''The Black and White Minstrel Show'') are shown unable to find a room in a bed and breakfast. Counter-critics respond however that they believe Little Britain has only been carrying on the brand of non-politically correct humour that originated with Monty Python, Bernard Manning, ''Curry and Chips'', and Benny Hill.
Future of ''Little Britain''
Screenshot of ''Little Britain Abroad''.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams have recently signed a three-year deal with the BBC. The duo are currently planning a new show — one in which some of their best-known characters return, but it will be a "totally new and different series".[4] However, it was revealed that ''Little Britain'' would return for a fourth series on the British Comedy Awards 2006. It is unknown whether this is related in any way to the new show.
A two part ''Little Britain'' Christmas special entitled ''Little Britain Abroad'' aired over the 2006 Christmas season. Part one aired on Christmas Day, followed by part two on 30 December. The special took the characters and put them into locations other than Britain. Themes included Vicky Pollard being caught drug-trafficking In Thailand along with her equally repulsive mum (played by Dawn French); Ronnie Corbett being seduced by Bubbles DeVere in France; Carol Beer who has gone to lead a group tour in Spain; Lou and Andy becoming stranded on an island in the Atlantic Ocean while on their way to Walt Disney World; Marjorie Dawes of Fat Fighters going to Miami; and Peter Kay appearing in his caravan in Belgium as Dudley's brother, who had a Russian bride Julia Davis.[5] These ''Little Britain Abroad'' episodes will be screened in Australia, sometime in 2007[6].
Lucas and Walliams announced that the British series was over for them.[7] Lucas and Walliams are expected to produce a new series for the BBC as per their holding deal. Lucas was quoted as saying he "likes the idea of starting over again".
American version
Walliams and Lucas are due to create an American version of ''Little Britain'' for HBO. ''Little Britain'' will follow the model of ''Da Ali G Show'', a series and character created by the British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, which was later also created for American audiences for the network. Simon Fuller has been recruited to co-write the series with the duo, along with a team of American writers.[8]
Lucas revealed that he and Walliams have been practicing with a vocal coach for their new US series which will contain "old and new characters".[9] Ten new characters have been written. "They range from the nice to the really gruesome — and we’re having a ball inventing them", revealed Lucas.[10]
The six-part series will film in January 2008 and will air on HBO in 2008.[11]
Israeli version
Starting in February 2007, Israel's Channel 2 began showing an Israeli version of the series, starring Tsiyyōn Brōkh, Asī Yisrā'elōf, and Shālōm Mikhā'elishvīllī, and narrated by veteran television and radio broadcaster Dān Kanār, called ''ha-Yisre'elīm'' (''The Israelis''). [5] Like the British version, ''The Israelis'' spoofs various characters in Israeli society and has spawned several catch-phrases. Also like the British version, however, the Israeli version has attracted criticism for alleged discrimination in its portrayal of minorities and the underprivileged.[12] It should be noted that Walliams and Lucas have nothing to do with ''ha-Yisre'elīm''.
Russian version
In 2006, Moscow-based national TV company "TNT" ("ТНТ") licensed the format of "Little Britain" to create their own similar show - "Nasha Russia" (literally, "Our Russia"). Two writers - Mikhail Galustyan and Sergey Svetlakov - completed two series of the show (about 20 episodes in total), which were well appreciated by the Russian audience. Some of their sketches can be viewed online on the official site.[13]. As with the Israeli version, Walliams and Lucas have nothing to do with this show.
Worldwide broadcast
| Region | Channel |
|---|---|
| Argentina | I.Sat |
| Australia | ABC, UK.TV |
| Austria | ORF1 |
| Belgium | Canvas |
| Canada | BBC Canada, Showcase Television, BBC Kids |
| Continental Europe | BBC Prime |
| Denmark | TV 2 Zulu, TV 2 |
| Finland | SubTV |
| Germany | Sat.1 Comedy, Comedy Central |
| Hungary | Cool TV |
| Iceland | Sjónvarpið |
| India | Star World |
| Republic of Ireland | RTÉ Two |
| Israel | Yes |
| Italy | Jimmy |
| Japan | WOWOW |
| Malaysia | Star World |
| Netherlands | Nederland 3, VPRO |
| New Zealand | C4, (previously by Prime) |
| Norway | NRK |
| Pakistan | Star World |
| Philippines | Star World |
| Poland | TVP2 (censored version), and BBC Prime(uncensored) |
| Portugal | RTP2, Sic Radical |
| Romania | TVR 2 |
| Singapore | Arts Central (censored version) |
| South Africa | BBC Prime |
| Spain | Canal+ |
| Sweden | SVT |
| Switzerland | SF |
| Thailand | Star World BBC Entertainment |
| United Arab Emirates | Star World |
| United States | BBC America[14] |
Stage show: "Little Britain Live"
The 2005–06 Tour is a stage show of ''Little Britain'' sketches that played at venues throughout the UK and Ireland. Tickets quickly sold out. In 2007 "Little Britain Live" toured around Australia, after most dates sold out within days of tickets going on sale, the last live UK show was at the Hammersmith Apollo on 16 December 2006.[7]. The DVD was filmed at the Blackpool Opera House on Tuesday 9th May, 2006.
See also
★ Little Britain merchandise
References
1. 'Victorian London - Districts - Little Britain'
2. Model Moss joins Little Britain
3. BBC News: Head calls for Little Britain ban URL accessed 12 December 2006
4. BBC News: Lucas and Walliams reign set to last URL accessed 20 July 2006
5. "Little Britain Christmas special lineup revealed". Retrieved September 5, 2006.
6. "BBC Signs Chinese Deal". Retrieved September 5, 2006.
7. [1]. "David Walliams and Matt Lucas Dump Little Britain". Now Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
8. Times Online. "''Little Britain'' aiming for huge remake in America". Retrieved August 25 2006.
9. [2]. The Sun Online. Retrieved May 31, 2007.
10. [3]. The Sun. "TV; Little Britain... American Style". Retrieved August 5 2007.
11. [4]. "Untitled US Series". Retrieved July 11, 2007.
12. Ynet. 'Ha-Yisre'lī hakhī mekho`ār (The Ugliest Israeli)'. Retrieved 04 April 2007.
13. [6] Nasha Russia Official Site
14. Little Britain
Further reading
★ Schema theory and the humour of Little Britain, Julia Snell, , , English Today,
External links
★ BBC Radio 4 ''Little Britain'' site
★ ''bbc.co.uk'' - ''Little Britain''
★ Lucas and Walliams pre-'Little Britain' shows
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