Little Britain is a British character-based comedy sketch show which was first broadcast on
BBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
radio and then turned into a television show. It was written by comic duo
David WalliamsDavid Edward Walliams is an English comedian, writer and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the TV sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile...
and
Matt LucasMatthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
. The show's title is an amalgamation of the terms '
Little EnglandLittle Englander is an epithet applied in criticisms of English people who are regarded as "xenophobic" and/or overly nationalistic and are often accused of being "ignorant" and "boorish". It is applied to opponents of globalism; for instance those who are against membership of the European Union...
' and 'Great Britain', and is also the name of a
VictorianThe term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
neighbourhood and modern street in London.
The show comprises sketches involving exaggerated parodies of British people from all walks of life in various situations familiar to the British. These sketches are presented to the viewer together with narration in a manner which suggests that the programme is a guide — aimed at non-British people — to the ways of life of various classes of British society. Despite the narrator's description of great British institutions, the comedy is derived from the British audience's self-deprecating understanding of either themselves or people known to them.
An American version of the show, with the same two main actors, entitled
Little Britain USALittle Britain USA, an American television series, originated as a spin-off of the British BBC's Little Britain show.As in the British series, Matt Lucas and David Walliams play the majority of the characters: originals such as Lou and Andy, Daffyd Thomas,Sebastian Love, Marjorie Dawes and Vicky...
was created in 2008. This series is shown on HBO in the USA, and also in Canada on
HBO CanadaHBO Canada is a Canadian television channel, which airs programming sourced from the HBO subscription service in the United States. HBO Canada is not available as a standalone channel, but as one channel within the TMN and Movie Central multiplexes....
and The Comedy Network. It is shown on the
BBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in the UK, and is shown in Australia on
Network TenNetwork Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
.
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.
Radio show
Little Britain initially appeared as a radio show on
BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, produced by Ashley Blaker.
Radio 4 began a
rerunA rerun or repeat is a re-airing of an episode of a radio or television broadcast. The invention of the rerun is generally credited to Desi Arnaz. There are two types of reruns—those that occur during a hiatus, and those that occur when a program is syndicated. Reruns can also be, as the...
of all nine episodes in February 2004 (which were slightly edited for content to suit the 6:30pm timeslot). Unusually, this overlapped with a rerun on
digital radioDigital radio has several meanings:1. Today the most common meaning is digital radio broadcasting technologies, such as the digital audio broadcasting system, also known as Eureka 147. In these systems, the analog audio signal is digitized into zeros and ones, compressed using formats such as...
channel
BBC 7BBC Radio 4 Extra, formerly known as BBC 7 and BBC Radio 7, is a British digital radio station broadcasting comedy, drama, and children's programming nationally 24 hours a day. It is the principal broadcasting outlet for the BBC's archive of spoken-word entertainment...
of the first five, which began in mid-March. In June–July 2004, BBC 7 broadcast the remaining four.
Ronnie CorbettRonald Balfour "Ronnie" Corbett, OBE is a Scottish actor and comedian of Scottish and English parentage who had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the British television comedy series The Two Ronnies...
commented that the characters as portrayed in the radio series were "well drawn-out".
Television series
Like several other BBC comedy shows (such as
Dead RingersDead Ringers is a UK radio and television comedy impressions broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and later BBC Two. The programme was devised by producer Bill Dare and developed with Jon Holmes, Andy Hurst and Simon Blackwell. It starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Kevin Connelly and Mark Perry...
and
The Mighty BooshThe Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows and a six episode radio series, it has since spawned a total of twenty television episodes for BBC Three and two live tours of the UK, as well as two live shows in the...
),
Little Britain made the transition from radio to television. All the episodes for the series were filmed at
Pinewood StudiosPinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
. Much of the TV material was adapted from the radio version, but with more emphasis on recurring characters and catchphrases.
Series One, 2003
As a result of its success, the first television series was repeated on the more mainstream channel
BBC TwoBBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
. Although reactions were mixed, many critics were enthusiastic, and the show was commissioned for another run. Paul W S Finlay starred in 5 episodes
Series Two, 2004
The second TV series, featuring several new characters, began on BBC Three 19 October 2004. Because of its popularity, the scheduled repeats were "promoted" to
BBC OneBBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, starting 3 December 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.
Series Three, 2005
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 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.
Little, Little Britain, 2005
In 2005, to raise money for
Comic ReliefComic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
, Walliams and Lucas made a special edition of the show, dubbed
Little, Little Britain. The episode included a variety of sketches with celebrities including
George MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
,
Robbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
and Sir 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.
Little Britain Abroad, 2006
In 2006, two
ChristmasChristmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
specials were released. In each, characters from the show were depicted as visiting other countries.
Little Britain Live
As a success of the television series, Lucas and Walliams created a travelling stage show based upon their series.
Comic Relief Does Little Britain Live, 2007
A special live version, featuring appearances from celebrities such as
Russell BrandRussell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
and
Dennis WatermanDennis Waterman is a British actor and singer, best known for his tough-guy roles in television series including The Sweeney, Minder and New Tricks.-Early life:...
was filmed in 2006 and appeared on 2007's Comic Relief show.
Little Britain USA
In 2007, Matt Lucas and David Walliams announced that the British
Little Britain will no longer continue, however they have filmed an American version of the show entitled
Little Britain USALittle Britain USA, an American television series, originated as a spin-off of the British BBC's Little Britain show.As in the British series, Matt Lucas and David Walliams play the majority of the characters: originals such as Lou and Andy, Daffyd Thomas,Sebastian Love, Marjorie Dawes and Vicky...
, which will feature both returning characters from the British series as well as new American ones. According to David Walliams, the new show is "effectively
Little Britain season four." The show debuted on HBO at 10:30 pm EST Sunday 28 September 2008, then the following week on
BBC OneBBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
in Britain. It also started airing on The Comedy Network in Canada in January, 2010.
Other
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)"I'm Gonna Be " is a song written and performed by The Proclaimers. It was released on their 1988 Sunshine on Leith album, and subsequently as a single. It has become one of their most popular songs, reaching No. 11 in the UK charts and No. 1 on the Australian ARIA Charts in 1989, plus, five years...
" with its creators,
The ProclaimersThe Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers, Charlie and Craig Reid . They are probably best known for the songs "Letter from America", "I'm On My Way" and "I'm Gonna Be ". The band tours extensively throughout Europe and other continents...
. This version was released as a charity single for
Comic ReliefComic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
on 19 March 2007.
The Russian series
Nasha RussiaNasha Russia is a Russian sketch show created by Comedy Club Productions. It was written by former KVN player Semyon Slepakov and producer Garik Martirosyan. This show has not got a license from the famous English sketch show Little Britain....
is inspired by
Little Britain (without having purchased the rights).
In 2010, characters returned for
Nationwide Building SocietyNationwide Building Society is a British building society, and is the largest in the world. It has its headquarters in Swindon, England, and maintains significant administration centres in Bournemouth and Northampton...
adverts. Including,
Lou and AndyLou Todd and Andy Pipkin are fictional characters from the cult BBC TV and radio show Little Britain, played by David Walliams and Matt Lucas respectively. Andy's catchphrases include, "Yeah I know", "Want that one" and " Don't like it", while Lou's catchphrase is "What a kerfuffle!"Lou is kind,...
,
Vicky PollardVicky Pollard is a fictional character from the British comedy TV series Little Britain, which aired on BBC.Vicky Pollard is a stereotypical chav. She is a teenage mother and juvenile delinquent and is known for her inarticulate and incredibly fast speech and incessant gossip...
,
Eddie (Emily) HowardEddie "Emily" Howard is a character from the TV and radio series Little Britain, which aired on the BBC.Emily is an awkward and extremely unconvincing transvestite...
and
Bubbles DeVereDenise or Mavis DeVere is a fictional character in the second and third series of the BBC television sketch show Little Britain and its US spin-off. She is played by Matt Lucas.-Personality:...
.
Cast
Matt LucasMatthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
and
David WalliamsDavid Edward Walliams is an English comedian, writer and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the TV sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile...
play all the main characters in the show.
Tom BakerThomas Stewart "Tom" Baker is a British actor. He is best known for playing the fourth incarnation of the Doctor in the science fiction television series Doctor Who, a role he played from 1974 to 1981.-Early life:...
narrates and
Paul Putner-Life and career:He was born in East Grinstead. He studied at LAMDA where he won, amongst other prizes, the Kenneth More prize for comedy acting.His first significant TV role saw Putner as numerous characters in The Glam Metal Detectives shown on BBC2. His real break in comedy came after he set up...
,
Steve FurstSteven Larry Furst is a comedian, actor and writer. Furst says his father told him that he arrived as an immigrant from Hungary with "nothing but a violin under my arm"...
,
Sally RogersSally Rogers is an English actress currently best known for her role as Detective Constable / Sergeant Jo Masters in ITV's The Bill....
, David Foxxe, Samantha Power,
Yuki KushidaYuki Kushida is an English-speaking actress and teacher of Japanese origin living and working in England as a language teacher at Chatham Grammar School for Boys....
, and
Stirling GallacherStirling Gallacher is an English actress.-Career:Gallacher is possibly best-known for her role as Dr. Georgina Woodson in the British TV drama Doctors from which she left on Friday, 27 March 2009 after 6 years...
regularly appear as several different characters.
Other regular cast include:
Anthony HeadAnthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
as the Prime Minister,
Ruth JonesRuth Jones is a Welsh TV actress and writer. She starred in and co-wrote the multi-award winning TV comedy Gavin & Stacey and has appeared in many other successful comedies over recent years...
as Myfanwy, Charu Bala Chokshi as Meera, and
Joann CondonJoann Condon is a British actress of stage and screen, best known for her role as Pat, a member of the Fat Fighters group in the BBC television comedy Little Britain, written by and starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams...
as Fat Pat.
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.
Episodes
As of December 2006, 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. There has also been the Little Britain Live show.
Criticism
The series, and in particular its second and third season, have been criticised for their perceived treatment of minority groups. For example,
Johann HariJohann Hari is an award winning British journalist who has been a columnist at The Independent, the The Huffington Post, and contributed to several other publications. In 2011, Hari was accused of plagiarism; he subsequently was suspended from The Independent and surrendered his 2008 Orwell Prize...
, writing in
The IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, stated:
Similarly, Fergus Sheppard wrote in
The ScotsmanThe Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
:
The programme has become increasingly popular with children, despite being shown after the
watershedIn television, the term watershed denotes the time period in a television schedule during which programs with adult content can air....
. There has also been criticism from teachers that the programme leads to copycat behaviour in the playground.
Singles
The song, "I'm Gay", that Matt Lucas' character Daffyd Thomas sang at the end of the
Little Britain LiveLittle Britain Live is a stage show based on the TV sketch series Little Britain, performed by its stars, Matt Lucas and David Walliams, and directed by Jeremy Sams. Supporting characters are played by Paul Putner and Samantha Power . As in the TV show, Tom Baker is the narrator, although his lines...
shows was released as a CD single in Australia in March 2007 and is available to download on
iTunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
Further reading
- Carol Szabolcs (2008). Little Britain in America. Minorities under subverted scrutiny. Grin Verlag. ISBN 978-3-640-30153-9.
External links
/radio4