Little Britain (TV series)

Little Britain
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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	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	24 (including Pilot, Comic Relief special, two-part Christmas special) (list of episodes)
Production
Running time	30 mins
Original release
Network	BBC Three (Series 1 & 2) BBC One (Series 3)
Release	16 September, 2003

Little Britain is a character-based BBC radio and television sketch show written by and starring 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 neighborhood and modern street in London . It made its début on BBC Radio 4 in 2001, running for two short series of five and four half-hour episodes respectively. In 2003, it transferred to television, with an eight-episode series on the BBC's digital-only channel BBC Three. Two more series, of six episodes each, have followed since. The programme returned for a 2006 Christmas special and Lucas and Walliams continue to deny press speculation that the third series would be the last. The BBC regards the series so far as a success. There is also a Little Britain live tour of the show. An American version is due in 2007 for HBO. A video game called Little Britain: The Video Game was released on February 2, 2007. There is also the possibility of a film version in the US.

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 cult 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, this showing did not feature material from the original run that 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.

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.

Main characters

This is only a list and small description of the most popular or well-known characters. A full list and descriptions can be found here:

Main article: Little Britain characters

• Vicky Pollard: rude, 16-year-old Bristolian chav with twelve children, ridiculing the stereotypical "chav" image of teenage parenthood.
• Daffyd Thomas: a homosexual who believes he is the "only gay in the village", constantly denying the presence of other gays.
• Bubbles DeVere: an obese woman and sexual predator.
• 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.
• 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 to convince everyone that he is a "lady".
• Sebastian Love: smitten Prime Ministerial aide, who is constantly shown to be infatuated with his superior, much to the latter's discomfort. In the 2006 Christmas special, Sebastian finds a white substance on the Prime Minister's jacket and licks it off. Sebastian says it "tastes familiar". Later, Prime Minister and the President say goodbye to each other as the President blows the Prime Minister a kiss, and he responds by licking his lips. See [1] for more.
• Anne and Dr Lawrence: part-time mental health patient and her caregiver. Anne frequently has deranged outbursts, though she has occasional moments of lucidity, particularly when on the phone.
• 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 but apparently 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 cruise, to which she reponds "Computer says yes!". The customer then coughs towards her. (Series 2–3, Little Britain Abroad)
• 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).
• Dudley Punt and Ting Tong Macadangdang: middle-aged man and his awkward, mail-order Thai wife. Ting Tong is shown to possibly be a man in one of the episodes. (Series 3)
• Ray McCooney: a bizarre Scottish hotel owner who speaks in arcane riddles, punctuating his speech with short but elaborate melodies (often TV themes) played on an flute-like instrument he calls a 'piccolillo'.

Catchphrases

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Lou (right) and Andy (left)

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Vicky Pollard

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Marjorie Dawes: "Dust is low in fat"

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Carol Beer: "Computer says 'No'."

These are some of the most well-known catchphrases from Little Britain:

• "Yeah I know," as well as "Don't like it", "I want that one" and "I look a pillock" ~ Andy Pipkin
• "What a kerfuffle", (to Andy)"But you said...*insert abnormally long paraphrasing here*" ~ Lou Todd
• "Yeah but no but yeah but...", "Oh my god I so can't believe you just said that!" and "Don't go giving me evils!" ~ Vicky Pollard
• "Whatevah", "Yes, Prime Minister," ~ Sebastian Love
• "Dust? Anybody? No? Dust?", "Oooh man I love the cake!", "It's not easy is it?" and "Do it again!" and "*Jamacian voice* You is fat! Oooh man you is fat! You one big fat thing! You fatty fatty fatty! Ooh you's a fatty fatty boom boom!" ~ Marjorie Dawes
• "Hello Darling!", "Champagne for everyone!" and "Call me Bubbles darling, everybody does." ~ Bubbles DeVere
• "I am the only gay in the village.", "Yeah I'm gay, get over it!", "Another Bacardi and Coke please, Myfanwy." and "Homophobe!" ~ Daffyd Thomas
• "Computer says no. *coughs*" ~ Carol Beer
• "I am a lady!" ~ Emily Howard
• "Margaret! Margaret!" *long pause* "...Yes?" ~ Roy and Margaret
• "So they want me to star in it, write the feem toon, sing the feem toon..." ~ Dennis Waterman
• "Wicky woo!" and "Top of the morning, where's me breakfast?" ~ Des Kaye
• "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* you're under!" and "3-2-1, you're back in the room!" ~ Kenny Craig
• "Bitty..." ~ Harvey Pincher
• "EH EH EHHHH!" ~ Anne
• "Yeeeeeesss." and "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not." ~ Ray McCooney
• "Please Mr Dudwey!" ~ Ting Tong Macadangdang
• "Hello Martin, it's Linda", "That's right, *insulting adjective*" and "mmm.... lovely biscuit" ~ Linda Flint
• "Here's one for ya!" ~ Matthew Waterhouse
• " And yes we have a new boy here today and I don't want you to treat him any differently" - Mr Cleaves
• "Bleeeeeuuuuuurrrrrggghhh!" (throws up) - Maggie Blackamoor
• " Aww he's Gawwwwgeous!!" - Viv Tudor
• "I'm an actor yes!" "I didn't push her" - Sir Bernard Chumley
• "'Allo Dear" - Mrs Emery
• " Yes, I'll have the -- to start..." - Michael Dinner
• "How many pages Miss Grace?.." - Dame Sally Markham
• "Hallelujah" - Reverend Jesse King

Criticism

Several people have complained that Bubbles DeVere is based on Elizabeth Taylor and have asked the creators several times to confirm if it is, this confirmation is yet to have been received. The series, in particular the second and third series, 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."

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."

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.

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.

Nevertheless, critics still claim the two latter series to be inferior, being based more on visual gags, grotesque humour and catchphrases, rather than more surreal elements seen in the first series.

Episodes

See List of Little Britain episodes

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.
  • 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 and Kate Thornton also had cameo roles.
• 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.

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". 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 who has gone for a holiday in Spain, Lou and Andy becoming stranded on an island in The Pacific Ocean and Peter Kay appearing in his caravan in The Netherlands as Dudley's brother who had a Russian bride.

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. Williams and Lucas have stated that this is the next project they will be working on, and that the next series of Little Britain will have to wait.

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). [2] 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.

Overseas

The show is aired in Continental Europe, Scandinavia and southern Africa on BBC Prime, in Denmark by TV 2 Zulu, in the United States by BBC America[3], in Canada by BBC Canada, Showcase Television, BBC Kids, in Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and pay-TV channel UK.TV, in New Zealand by C4 (previously by [Prime], in Sweden by SVT, in Iceland on Sjónvarpið, in Ireland by RTÉ, in The Netherlands on Nederland 3 by VPRO, in Finland by SubTV, in Norway by NRK, in the United Arab Emirates, in India, Pakistan and Malaysia by Star World, in Belgium on Canvas, in Italy by Jimmy, in Poland on TVP2, in Portugal on RTP, in Austria on ORF1, in Israel by Yes, in Switzerland by SF, in Hungary by COOL TV, in Singapore by Arts Central (censored version), in Spain by Canal+, in Germany by Sat.1 Comedy, in Romania by TVR 2 and in Japan on WOWOW.

Stage show

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Main article: Little Britain Live

The 2005–06 Tour is a stage show of Little Britain sketches that played at venues throughout the UK. 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.[4].

The 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 Stewart 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 guest appearances from celebrities and television personalities playing characters. These include Rob Brydon as Bubbles DeVere's ex-husband Roman, 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 Thonas' mother.

Many have also appeared as themselves including [[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 and Judy Finnigan, David Soul, Les McKeown, Mollie Sugden and Robbie Williams.

See also

• Little Britain trivia and outside references
• Little Britain merchandise

Further reading

• Julia Snell (2006). "Schema theory and the humour of Little Britain". English Today. 22. Cambridge University Press: 59–64. doi:10.1017/S0266078406001118.

External links

• BBC Radio 4 Little Britain site
• bbc.co.uk - Little Britain