Look Around You
| Look Around You | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Robert Popper Peter Serafinowicz |
| Directed by | Tim Kirkby |
| Starring | Robert Popper Peter Serafinowicz |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 10 minutes (series 1) 30 minutes (series 2) |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC2 |
| Release | October 10, 2002 – March 7, 2005 |
Look Around You is a BBC television comedy series devised and written by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz, and, in the first series only, narrated by Nigel Lambert. The first series of eight 10-minute shorts was s tits hown in 2002, and the second series of six 30-minute episodes in 2005, both on BBC2.
The first series was broadcast on BBC America in early 2005, with a slightly edited version of the second series airing in March 2006. The first series of Look Around You was nominated for a BAFTA award in 2003.
Although a third series has been ruled out, Robert Popper has stated that they will do another project together, saying: "Sad news is we are not making a third series of Look Around You, but hope to make a new series of something else silly some time". [1]
Series 1
In the first series, the episodes both satirised and paid homage to 1970s and early 1980s educational films and schools programmes, with a different scientific subject being discussed in each episode, or "module" as they are called in the series.
The modules were, in order of transmission:
The humour is derived from a mixture of patent nonsense and faithful references and homages. For instance, fictional items that have a passing resemblance to everyday objects were created; such items include the Boîte Diabolique, and a performance-enhancing chewing gum called "Garry Gum" (which unfortunately induces diarrhoea - necessitating the consumption of "Anti-Garry Gum") and each episode began with an authentic "countdown clock", similar to the one used on ITV Schools programmes from 1979 to 1987. The original accompanying music to the countdown was replaced with a solo guitar which is heard tuning at the beginning of "The Brain" episode.
The subjects were distorted beyond recognition; for instance, germs were described as coming from Germany. The general format of an episode would be an introduction to the subject, followed by a series of silly experiments performed by the hapless (and normally mute) scientists, played by Popper, Serafinowicz and Edgar Wright, among others. At the end of each module, the narrator would explain what the programme would be about next week such as reggae, romance or Italians, although none of these subjects was ever covered.
The series has been praised for its attention to detail. For example, the colour and overall look of the film is altered, and passably authentic incidental music was overdubbed to complete the parody of the original programmes.
A running gag throughout the series is the fastidious labelling of all items, such as hairdryers, magnets, or a jar of nuts (which contained both types of nut: the foodstuff and fastener). Another recurring joke is the naming of the different materials used in the experiments, such as a Besselheim plate, poking fun at real lab equipment, which is often named after people (e.g. Petri dish, Erlenmeyer flask).
The series was commissioned off the back of a 20-minute pilot episode (twice the length of an episode in the first series but otherwise identical) about calcium; this is included on the DVD release of series 1 as an "advanced double-length module".
The DVD extras also include a music video for the song "Little Mouse" (as featured in the module on music), a selection of mock-Ceefax pages, and a creator's commentary. The joke is taken even further by presenting the DVD subtitles in exactly the same format as those broadcast via teletext.
Unseen episodes
At the end of each episode, reference is made to the "next module" -- although these episodes were never actually made. The episodes that were promised, but never seen:
Series 2
The second series was composed of six 30-minute episodes and was presented in the pop-science vein of programmes such as How? and Tomorrow's World. The series was directed by Tim Kirkby, and Ash Atalla (producer of The Office) worked as executive producer. Running from 31 January to 7 March 2005 on BBC Two at 10 pm, Series 2 comprised the following episodes:
According to the audio commentary, the programme is set around 1980-81. To reinforce the show's retro look, each episode's opening continuity announcement (typically narrated by Serafinowicz) played over the 2-dimensional BBC2 ident from 1979–1986 and the programme was broadcast in the 4:3 "Academy" aspect ratio. This was clearly a deliberate stylistic choice as most BBC programmes since the late 1990s are now broadcast in 16:9 widescreen. Additionally, location footage was shot on 16mm film, of the type used for location filming at the time. The TOTP introduction to Episode 1 used the real countdown background music, Yellow Pearl by Phil Lynott.
The second series differed from the first series in that there was dialogue between the four presenters and their guests, leaving behind both the narrated style of the first series and the anonymity given to the scientists. Popper and Serafinowicz starred as presenters Jack Morgan (the artist responsible for the song 'Little Mouse' as featured in the first series) and Peter Packard respectively, alongside the two new female presenters, Pam Bachelor and Pealy Maghti, played by Olivia Colman and Josie D'Arby respectively.
Several running gags from the first series are also reprised, such as mentions of Imhotep and phrases such as "Bless you, ants. Blants." There was also a measure of continuity throughout this series, as each week inventors (played by a number of UK comic actors) showcased their new products, culminating in the live final programme where a winning invention was chosen, supposedly by "HRH, Sir Prince Charles". Archive footage of Prince Charles was blended with Look Around You footage, Peter Serafinowicz replacing the prince’s real voice with his own perfectly lip-synched impression of it. Other running jokes in this series were "people who liked (topic) so much, they changed their name to it", such as Synthesiser Patel in the "Music" episode and Computer Jones in the "Computers" episode.
The "Music 2000" episode featured a futuristic song contest, showcasing songs we would be hearing in the year 2000. Toni Baxter's 'Sexual Interface' won the contest. The runners-up were "Machadaynu" by Tony Rudd (played by Kevin Eldon) and Anthony Carmichael's 'Rapping Song'.
DVD extras include a quiz, Pages from Ceefax, an alternative Birds of Britain feature, the Scary Picture and the Test Card (A music video). There is also an Easter egg.[citation needed]
Special guests
Each episode featured several additional characters, many of whom were played by well known British comedians.
Episode 1
- Kevin Eldon - "Tony Rudd", school teacher and "Music 2000" contestant who performed the song "Machadaynu".
- Kate Drew - "Toni Baxter", "Music 2000" contestant who performed the song "Sexual Interface" (the vocals were actually performed by Sarah Alexander).
- Chris Obi - "Antony Carmichael", profiteroles chef and "Music 2000" contestant who performed the song "The Rapping Song".
- Harry Enfield - "The Ghost of Tchaikovsky", judge of "Music 2000".
- Sanjeev Kohli - "Synthesiser Patel", synth enthusiast and programmer of the "Easitone 'Play-In-A-Day' 50".
- Michael Fenton Stevens - "Sir Alan Rees", the chairman of ROPRA (The "Royal Pop and Rock Association").
- Mark Heap - "Leonard Hatred", inventor of "Psilence" liquid-skin ear spray.
Episode 2
- Benedict Wong - "Dr Franklin Fu", plastic surgeon and co-worker of the medical robot Medibot. Wong also performed the voice of Medibot.
- Matt Lucas - the voice of "Dr Phillip Lavender", sufferer of "Geodermic Granititis" (also known as "Cobbles") and inventor of its cure, the "Anti-Cobbling Cream".
- Simon Pegg - man with bad teeth in the advertisement for "Jenny" toothpaste. In the list of invented toothpastes that followed the ad, one was called "Pegg".
- Paul Humpoletz - "Prof. Keith Craven", Professor at the "National Sleep Research Centre" at "St. St. Johns" (pronounced "St Singens").
- Geoffrey McGivern - teacher in Prof. Keith Craven's recorded dream.
- Peter Baynham - volunteer at the National Sleep Research Centre who answered phones whilst sleeping (uncredited).
Episode 3
- Sarah Alexander - "Ros Lamb, the Southport Sparrow", World 400,000m champion and world record Shepherds Bush to Aberdeen sprinter, thanks to the ingestion of the rocket fuel for humans called "Di-tutetamine Brohohibe" allowing her to run at 3,500mph. (Alexander is Serafinowicz' partner).
- Graham Linehan - coach of Ros Lamb (uncredited). (Linehan is Serafinowicz' brother-in-law).
- Lewis McLeod - "Mario Abdullah-Levy", BBC Scotland reporter.
- Edgar Wright - "Eddie Yorque", Look Around You's Chief Technician (uncredited).
- Alex Woodhall - "Paul Alan", owner of the horse "Championess". The horse was the inventor of the "Horse Race Predicting Computer".
- Andrew Burt - "Sebastian Jackson" and two of his clones, "Provastian Jackson" and "Ninastian Jackson", designers of special footballs including "Invisiball", "Footcube", "Meat-Ball", "Piggy Ball" and the world's roundest ball.
- Paul Birchard - "Scot Nolan", American inventor of the golf and tennis combination game, "Gonnis".
- Adam Buxton - Bunny Gnowles, Gonnis umpire.
Episode 4
- Paul Elliot - "Tony Parker, the Human Dustbin".
- Ross Lee - "Andy Gough", Slimmer of the Year and the face of "Slimby" diet milkshake.
- Paul Putner - "Clive Pounds", manager of "Big 'C' - The Casserole People" automated fast food outlet. Clive Pounds is the brother of Len Pounds from the Series 1 episode, Sulphur (also played by Putner).
- Richard Leaf - astronaut in the black and white film "Scenes From the World of Tomorrow". (Leaf is the husband of Black Books and Green Wing actress, Tamsin Greig).
- Nicola Cunningham - wife of the astronaut in "Scenes From the World of Tomorrow". (Cunningham played the zombie "Mary" in Shaun of the Dead).
- John Owens - "Teddy Clarke", inventor of the "Vegetable Orchestra System".
Episode 5
- David Walliams - the voice of "Bournemouth", Britain's most technologically advanced computer.
- Paul Jerricho - "Computer Jones", inventor of Bournemouth.
- Alex Lowe - "Lee Grithiffths", owner of "Grithiffths Game Megamart".
- Belinda Stewart-Wilson - "Patricia ", (surname is silent) inventor of the first computer for women, "Petticoat 5".
- This episode also saw the return of Edgar Wright as "Eddie Yorque", Look Around You's Chief Technician.
Episode 6
As this episode revolved around the Invention of the Year award, the inventors from previous episodes returned - "Leonard Hatred" (Mark Heap), "Dr Phillip Lavender" (Matt Lucas), "Teddy Clarke" (John Owens), "Paul Alan" (Alex Woodhall) with "Championess". The episode also saw the return of "Synthesiser Patel" (Sanjeev Kohli), "Computer Jones" (Paul Jerricho) and "Eddie Yorque" (Edgar Wright). It also included several further characters:
- David Mitchell - "Pat Taylor", inventor of the Sex-Change Machine, "Sexmachange".
- Ryan Cartwright - "Sam Macnamara", associate of Pat Taylor and veteran 'volunteer' of 50-60 sex-changes.
- Cavan Clerkin - "Adam Sandwich", the British Counting Backwards Champion.
- Nick Frost - carrier of "HOT JON" placard.
- James Serafinowicz - "Cobalt", the blue man.
Production
A running joke in series 2 is that all guests, when introduced, enter through a series of large blast doors (similar to those from Get Smart). However, these were filmed against a bluescreen, which gave an inferior effect and the creators stated, on the DVD commentary, that they did not like the joke but felt they were "stuck with it". Leonard Hatred's funny walk was not scripted – it was improvised by Mark Heap. His encounter with Championess in the 2nd series finale was also improvised.[1] The "Computers" episode featured clips of fake 1980s computer games created by members of b3ta.[2] Games included "Diarrhea Dan".
Broadcast
When aired on BBC America in 2006, episodes were edited to fit within a 30 minute time slot, including commercials. This triggered a continuity error with the series; Leonard Hatred's initial segment was cut from the first episode, causing him to appear without explanation in the season finale.[citation needed]
Reception
The Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening is a big fan of the show,[3] as are Megan Mullally,[4] Bob Harris,[5] and cartoonist Chris Onstad.[6] On the DVD commentary for the adult swim sketch comedy show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, creators Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim discuss their fondness of the show.
References
- ^ Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz (2006). Look Around You 2, commentary track (DVD). Talkback Thames/BBC.
- ^ "b3ta computer games competition".
- ^ "Matt Groening Interview". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
- ^ "Megan's Favourites". The Megan Mullally Show Official Website. Retrieved 2006-12-03.
- ^ "Bob Harris blog entry". Bob Harris. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ "Chris Onstad interview". Brian M. Palmer. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
External links
