Little Britain
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| Little Britain | |
|---|---|
| Image:Little Britain Logo.PNG | |
| Format | Sketch comedy |
| Created by | David Walliams and Matt Lucas |
| Starring | David Walliams Matt Lucas Tom Baker Anthony Head Paul Putner Steve Furst Charu Bala Chokshi Joann Condon Ruth Jones |
| Country of origin | Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 25 (including Pilot, Comic Relief special, two-part Christmas special) (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 mins |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC Three (Series 1 & 2) BBC One (Series 3) |
| Original run | September 16, 2003 – December 30, 2006 |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
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. Its title is an amalgamation 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 2008.
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.
Contents |
[edit] 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 November 17, 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). 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.
[edit] 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 a witch that employs 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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: Tyson Reinhardt, David Baddiel, 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.
[edit] Main 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: A rude, 14-year-old Bristolian chav with six children, ridiculing the stereotypical "chav" image of teenage parenthood. She is known for her rapid-fire speech, which often starts with "Yeah but, no but, yeah but, no but, yeah but..."
- Daffyd Thomas: A self-proclaimed homosexual in the fictional Welsh village of Llandewi Brefi[2] (named after Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion) with homophobic tendencies who believes he is "the only gay in the village". Daffyd[3] constantly denies the presence of other gays despite proof to the contrary in nearly every sketch. He is overweight but in denial about it; Daffyd wears skin-tight outfits (such as a vinyl sailor suit) and often tells Myfanwy about the woes of having such a beautiful body.
- Bubbles DeVere: An obese woman and sexual predator. Her scenes all take place 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: Obese Anglo-African rival to Bubbles DeVere.
- 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. The sketch usually includes Andy getting out of the wheelchair when not seen by Lou.
- 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".
- 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, and 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". 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 uninterested "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.
- 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.
- Ray McCooney: An irritating and 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'.
- Gary and Jason: Gary lives in a lower-class family in a flat, and Jason has has a crush on Gary's grandmother.
- Mrs. Emery: A friendly, elderly lady that seems to have urinating problems.
- Maggie Blackamoor: A middle-aged bigot who vomits profusely on others when she discovers her food was prepared by someone who is not white, not straight, etc.
[edit] Catchphrases
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", "Don't like it", "I want that one", and "I look a pillock" (usually said after insisting upon wearing a certain outfit) |
| Lou Todd | "What a kerfuffle", (to Andy), "Are you sure you want this one?", and paraphrasing Andy's off-screen insightful comments in a long manner. |
| Vicky Pollard | "No but yeah but no but yeah but...", "Oh my God I so can't believe you just said that!", "SHUT AP!!", "I never even done nothing or nothing!", "Don't go giving me evils!", "You are well out of order", and "I only did this AS A JOOOKE!", |
| Daffyd Thomas | "I am the only gay in the village.", "I am a gay you know.", "I can't because I'm gay.", "Another Bacardi and Coke please, Myfanwy.", "Homophobe!", and "It's not easy being the only gay in the village, in fact, it's bloody hard!" |
| Sebastian Love | "Whatevah", "Ooh Michael!", "WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!", "Yes Priministah!" and "Bitch!" |
| Marjorie Dawes | "Dust? Anybody? No? Dust?", "Oooh man, I love the cake!", "(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?" and not understanding or misunderstanding Meera (who has a bit of an accent) and asking her to repeat herself many times. |
| Emily Howard | "I'm a lady!", "Well being a lady, I do ladies' things!" and sometimes end long sentences with "... and shit." |
| Bubbles DeVere | "Hello Dah-ling!", "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!", (sarcastically) "Oh, hullo Bubby (baby), so nice to meet you." and "How dare you make personal remarks about my a-hole!" |
| Carol Beer | "Computer says no. (cough)" |
| Roy and Margaret | Together, their catchphrase is the following conversation: Roy: "I don't know what to suggest! Margaret will know. (calling to the back of the store) 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 (i.e. theme tune), sing the feem toon..." and "Don't patronize me." There is also a running joke regarding Waterman's stature. In the series he appears as minature version of himself. |
| 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... (snaps fingers) you're under!" and "3-2-1, you're back in the room!" |
| Harvey Pincher | "Bitty...." |
| Anne | "Eh eh ehhhh!" and acting normal only while on the phone. |
| Ray McCooney | "Yeeeeeesss", "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not." and "Ye know too much!" |
| Ting Tong Macadangdang | "Pwease Mr. Dudwey!", "Hawo Mr. Dudwey", and "Did you have good time?" |
| Dudley Punt | "Get out o' my flat!", and, following Ting Tong's begging, "Alright, you can stay, just one more night." |
| Linda Flint | "Hello Martin, it's Linda", "You know, (person's name)", and "That's right, (insert degrading nickname about person sitting in her office)." |
| Dame Sally Markham | "How many pages Miss Grace?" |
More Little Britain quotes can be found on Wikiquote.
[edit] Episodes
As of December 2006, 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.
[edit] 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 version was released in March 2007 and televised as part of Comic Relief: The Big One. Guests artists included:
- Kate Moss as Vicky Pollard's twin sister.[4]
- Dawn French as barmaid Myfanwy in the Llandewi Breffi village pub.[4] Also appeared in the 2006 Christmas special as Vicky Pollard's Mother.
- Russell Brand as a cross-dressing plumber who comes out to "fellow cross dresser", Emily Howard.
- Jonathan Ross as the celebrity guest that Judy vomits on at the village fête.
- Chris Moyles as an overweight victim of Marjorie's Fat Fighters 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.
- Cat Deely as the presenter of Stars In Their Eyes, introducing Anne.
- Matt Lucas and Peter Kay, in the guise of their characters Andy Pipkin and Brian Potter, re-recorded the song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" with its creators, The Proclaimers. This version was released as a charity single for Comic Relief on March 19, 2007.
[edit] 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:
| “ | "Little Britain has been a vehicle for two rich kids to make themselves into multi-millionaires by mocking the weakest people in Britain. Their targets are almost invariably the easiest, cheapest groups to mock: the disabled, poor, elderly, gay or fat. In one fell swoop, they have demolished protections against mocking the weak that took decades to build up."[5] | ” |
Similarly, Fergus Sheppard, writing in The Scotsman wrote:
| “ | "The latest series of the hit BBC comedy Little Britain may be hauling in record viewing figures, but it has also sparked a previously unthinkable chorus of criticism, with claims that the show has lost its way, trading early ingenuity for swelling amounts of toilet humour in the search for cheap laughs, and becoming increasingly offensive."[6] | ” |
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.[7]
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 politically incorrect humour that originated with Monty Python, Bernard Manning, Curry and Chips, and Benny Hill.[citation needed] It is argued that the characters are so absurd that it is hard to claim they are representative of anything.
Ricky Gervais, in the Second series of Extras makes a derogative reference to shows, like Little Britain, that rely on "cheap catchphrase comedy". His character, Andy Millman, is the reluctant star of a similarly inane show called "When the Whistle Blows".
[edit] Future of Little Britain
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".[8] 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.[9] These Little Britain Abroad episodes have now been filmed in Australia, sometime in 2007[10].
Lucas and Walliams announced that the British series was over for them.[11] 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".
[edit] American version
- Further information: Little Britain USA
[edit] 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 "הישראלים", ("ha-Yisre'elīm" meaning "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.
[edit] Russian version
In 2006, Moscow-based national TV company "TNT" ("ТНТ") licensed the format of "Little Britain" to create their own similar show, "Наша Russia" ("Nasha Russia" meaning "Our Russia"). Two performers - 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. Currently TNT shows the third season of the program.
[edit] Belarusian version
In 2007, Minsk-based national TV company "ONT" ("ОНТ") started a show called "Наша Belarussia" ("Nasha Belarussia", meaning "Our Belarus") in the format of "Little Britain". It is still unclear if the show was licenced by BBC. A team of performers consists of more than two persons here, it's actually a product of former KVN teammates, who played for various Belorussian teams in the past, including Vadim Galygin, a popular TV showman among Russian-speaking audiences. The show producers never confirmed any connection between the BBC version of the program and theirs.
[edit] Worldwide broadcast
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ 'Victorian London - Districts - Little Britain'
- ^ Spelling of village confirmed in opening credits of series 1
- ^ Spelling of name confirmed on [1] and [2], accessed 2008-01-03
- ^ a b Model Moss joins Little Britain. BBC (2006-11-23). Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ Independent Online Edition: Why I Hate Little Britain URL accessed 3 July 2006
- ^ Scotsman.com: Little Britain's in trouble... no buts about it URL accessed 3 July 2006
- ^ BBC News: Head calls for Little Britain ban URL accessed 12 December 2006
- ^ BBC News: Lucas and Walliams reign set to last URL accessed 20 July 2006
- ^ "Little Britain Christmas special lineup revealed". Retrieved September 5, 2006.
- ^ "BBC Signs Chinese Deal". Retrieved September 5, 2006.
- ^ [3]. "David Walliams and Matt Lucas Dump Little Britain". Now Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
- ^ Ynet. 'Ha-Yisre'lī hakhī mekho`ār (The Ugliest Israeli)'. Retrieved 04 April 2007.
- ^ [4] Nasha Russia Official Site
- ^ Little Britain. BBC America. Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
[edit] Further reading
- Julia Snell (2006). "Schema theory and the humour of Little Britain". English Today 22: 59–64. Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/S0266078406001118.
[edit] External links
- Little Britain at bbc.co.uk
- Little Britain at bbc.co.uk/radio4
- Lucas and Walliams pre-'Little Britain' shows
- Little Britain USA Fansite
- Little Britain Fans | The Ultimate Little Britain Fansite
- Polish Little Britain Fansite
de:Little Britain es:Little Britain fr:Little Britain gl:Little Britain it:Little Britain nl:Little Britain ja:リトル・ブリテン no:Little Britain pl:Mała Brytania pt:Little Britain fi:Pikku-Britannia sv:Little Britain
