For other uses, see Little Britain (disambiguation). Little Britain Characters on Little Britain: The Complete Second Series DVD cover Genre Sketch comedy Running time 30 mins Creator(s) David Walliams and Matt Lucas Starring David Walliams Matt Lucas Tom Baker Anthony Stewart Head Paul Putner Steve Furst Charu Bala Chokshi Joann Condon Ruth Jones Country of origin UK Original network/channel BBC Three (Series 1&2), BBC One (Series 3+) Original run September 16, 2003 – Present No. of episodes 22 (including Pilot and Comic Relief special) Official website IMDb profile TV.com summary 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'. It made its debut 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 show is currently being rested while its stars perform a series-based tour throughout 2006. Matt Lucas intends the programme to return for a 2006 Christmas special and a fourth series during 2007. Contents 1 Background 2 Overseas 3 Style and content 3.1 Catchphrases 4 The cast 5 Guest appearances 5.1 As themselves 5.2 As characters 6 Major characters 7 Trivia 7.1 Doctor Who 7.2 Other 8 CDs 9 DVDs 10 Books 11 Stage show 12 See also 13 External links 13.1 Official sites 13.2 Episode guides 13.3 Other related sites Background Most of the TV material was adapted from the radio version, but some new sketches featured recurring characters. Due to its success, the first television series was repeated on the mainstream channel BBC Two. Although reactions to it 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 Thursday 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 are reportedly in talks for a fourth series with the BBC. Furthermore, they admitted in a recent interview they preferred to "kill off" certain characters in order to make way for new ones. 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. Overseas The show is aired in Continental Europe on BBC Prime, in the United States by BBC America [1], in Canada by BBC Canada and Showcase Television, in Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, in New Zealand by C4 (Channel 4, of CanWest), in Sweden by SVT, in Ireland by BBC and RTÉ, in The Netherlands on Nederland 3 by VPRO [2], in Finland by SubTV, in Norway by NRK, in the United Arab Emirates, in India, Pakistan & Malaysia by Star World, in Belgium on Canvas TV Station, in Italy by Jimmy, in Austria on ORF1, in Israel by Yes [3] and in Switzerland by SF DRS, in Singapore by Arts Central Style and content Superficially it appears to be vulgar, 'lowest denominator' comedy, but embedded within are societal truisms and intelligent humour. It plays heavily on memorable catchphrases that have become ingrained in playgrounds and offices around the UK. The format of the show is a compilation of short sketches featuring familiar 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 and we invented the cat" or, "Unlike other countries, Britain has people of two genders: male and female." Catchphrases Certain of the characters' catchphrases have entered the public consciousness throughout Britain and overseas: "Yeah, I know!", "I want tha' one" "Yeah, but no, but yeah, but..." "Eh eh ehh" "I'm the only gay in the village." "Compu'er says 'No'" "Martin, it's Linda." "Dust... anybody? No? Dust... anybody? No? Dust." "I am a laydee" "Look into my eyes. The eyes. The eyes. Not around the eyes. Don't look around my eyes. Look into my eyes. [snap] You're under." "Wha' a kefuffle!" "Why don't you take a photo, it'll last longer?" The cast Matt Lucas and David Walliams play all the main characters in the show. Other cast: Tom Baker: Narrator Anthony Stewart Head: The Prime Minister (2003–2005) Rob Brydon: Roman De Vere (2005) Ruth Jones: Myfanwy Geraldine James: Mrs. Pincher (2004) Ruth Madoc: Daffyd's Mother (2004–2005) Paul Putner: Various Steve Furst: Various Charu Bala Chokshi: Meera (2003–2005) Joann Condon: Fat Pat (2003–2005) Evie Garratt: Nan (2003, 2004) Stirling Gallacher: Prime Minister's wife/Margaret Nigel Havers: Leader of the opposition Sally Rogers: Various David Foxxe: Various Guest appearances Since its debut on television, Little Britain has featured guest appearances from celebrities and television personalities, the most prominent of these being Anthony Head as the Prime Minister. As themselves Vanessa Feltz (Marjorie Dawes sketch, series 2) Mollie Sugden (Liz and Clive sketch, series 1) Robbie Williams (Emily and Florence sketch, Comic Relief special) Jennie Bond (Peter Andre sketch, series 1) Elton John (Daffyd sketch, Comic Relief special) George Michael (Lou and Andy sketch, Comic Relief special) Cat Deeley (Anne sketch, series 3) Keith Harris (Deleted Scene - Peter Andre sketch, series 1) Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee (Deleted Scene - Peter Andre sketch, series 1) David Soul (Hospitalized girl's parents sketch, series 1) Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan (Lou and Andy sketch, series 3) Derek Martin (Marjorie Dawes sketch, series 3) Trisha Goddard (Vicky Pollard sketch, Comic Relief special) Bruce Forsyth (Lou and Andy sketch, series 2) As characters Simon Callow, Christian Coulson, Mark Gatiss, Nigel Havers, Jon Culshaw, Imelda Staunton, David Baddiel, Indira Varma and Jamie Theakston. Major characters Main article: Little Britain characters Lou (Right) and Andy (Left) Vicky Pollard sniffing Pritt Stick Marjorie Dawes "Dust is low in fat" Vicky Pollard: teenage chav with serious attitude problems, and sixteen children Daffyd Thomas: out homosexual who believes he is the "only gay in the village". However, he is very obviously not, despite his attempts to deceive himself. Lou Todd and Andy Pipkin: Andy is in a wheelchair (of which he has no need) and Lou is his oblivious caregiver. Marjorie Dawes: merciless leader of the Fat Fighters diet group Ray McCooney: eccentric Scottish hotel manager (Series 1) Edward 'Emily' Howard: "rubbish transvestite" who tries to convince everyone that he is a "laydee" Fred 'Florence' Rose: Emily's moustachioed companion, who can be similarly described. (Series 2–3) Maggie Blackamoor: an upper-class Conservative, accompanied by her friend Judy Pike — she is very picky about what she eats, or more specifically, who prepares it (Series 2–3) Sebastian Love: smitten aide of the Prime Minister — woe betide anyone who comes between them Anne & Dr. Lawrence: part-time mental health patient and her caregiver who is oblivious to the fact that Anne isn't disabled in any way Dame Sally Markham: an elderly romantic novelist who's short on ideas (Series 1) Kenny Craig: a stage hypnotist, who tries to use his technique to personal advantage (Series 1–2, Series 3 deleted scene) Dennis Waterman: a minuscule out-of-work actor (a caricature of his real-life namesake), who always wants to "write the theme tune, sing the theme tune" (Series 1–2) Mr. Cleeves: a school teacher who instructs his students on eccentric and random subjects, and constantly makes life difficult for them (Series 1) Sir Bernard Chumley: a sinister former actor who keeps his invalid sister, Kitty, locked away. He is noted for wearing a range of very obvious toupées (Series 1) Gary and Jason: Jason is head-over-heels in love with Gary's grandmother — a fact to which Gary is completely oblivious, even though they are best mates (Series 1, Series 2 deleted scene) 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) Bubbles DeVere: overweight woman who has spent months at a spa without paying her bill, usually by dodging the management (Series 2–3) Mr. Hutton: Hill Grange Health Spa owner who is constantly chasing Bubbles for debts owed (Series 2) Roman and Desiree DeVere: Bubbles' ex-husband and his new lover (Series 3) Carol Beer: disinterested bank worker (then travel agent) who processes customers' requests on her computer, usually responding flatly, "Computer says no..." (Series 2–3) 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 (Series 3) Linda Flint: a university counsellor who insults students on some aspect of their appearance (Series 2–3) Mrs Emery: Severely incontinent, elderly woman (Series 3). The name is a reference to Dick Emery Sir Norman Fry MP: always apologising to the media over being found in a compromising situation (Series 3) Sid Pegg: zealous Neighbour Watch leader (Series 3) Trivia Doctor Who There are many references to the popular science-fiction series: In Jeremy Rent's Office in the pilot episode, you can see a picture of Tom Baker (the show's narrator) in his Fourth Doctor costume on the wall. In an Andy and Lou sketch from Series 2, some yobs shout abuse at them in the park. Andy snaps and beats them up when they shout, "Oi, Davros!" — Davros is the (similarly wheelchair-bound) creator of the Daleks. Matthew Waterhouse is named after the actor who played Adric, one of the companions of the Fourth and Fifth Doctors. One of the Judy & Maggie (Women's Institute) sketches in Series 2 features actor Paul Darrow as a Conservative MP. He played Avon in Blake's 7, as well as roles in the Doctor Who stories "Doctor Who and the Silurians" and "Timelash". In the pilot's Dennis Waterman sketches, his agent was named "Sir Michael Craze", an allusion to Michael Craze, who played Ben Jackson, a companion to William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton (the First and Second Doctor, respectively). The name reappeared in a sketch for the Matthew Waterhouse character, in which it was identity of the play producer to whom he pitched ideas for various musicals. One of Tom Baker's narrations refers directly to Doctor Who (and Blackadder — another TV series in which he appeared) when discussing popular video rentals in season one. Other Lou and Andy are the only characters to appear in every single episode of the show (including the Comic Relief special), Marjorie Dawes is in second place: she appears throughout the recurring series. Several sketches were removed from Series 1. Two featured April and Neville, another pair included the Peter Andre character, while also excised were some in which Mr Cleeves and the Piano Player appeared. Lou and Andy are named after Lou Reed and Andy Warhol. Jamie Theakston appeared in Series 2 after he worked with Lucas and Walliams on Rock Profile. On "Little Britain Night" on BBC Three, the duo announced that they will do a Christmas special of the programme in 2006. In Series 3, there is an homage to One Foot in the Grave and its character Victor Meldrew when Bubbles De Vere says the popular catchphrase, "I don't believe it!", as her first line in the series. On October 10, 2005, waxworks of Lou and Andy were unveiled at Madame Tussaud's in London, having been announced three months earlier, and cost in excess of £100,000 each. This event tied in with the DVD release of the second TV series. In 2005, Heat magazine reported that a request by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to appear in one of the sketches was turned down, with Walliams and Lucas stating that they did not want to be seen as supporting any particular political party in the run-up to the general election [4]. CDs The complete radio series (along with much supplemental material, including the pilot show), was released on 7 November 2005 as Little Britain... on Radio (ISBN 0563504145). Subsequently issued were: Little Britain: Best of TV Series 1, 3 October 2005, ISBN 0563504951 Little Britain: Best of TV Series 2, 3 October 2005, ISBN 0563504951 Little Britain: Best of TV Series 3, 1 May 2006, ISBN 0563504285 DVDs Little Britain: The Complete First Series, 11 October 2004, BBCDVD1494 Little Britain: The Complete Second Series, 10 October 2005, BBCDVD1675 Little Britain: Series One & Two, 14 November 2005, BBCDVD1864 In January 2005, a half-hour episode was specially commissioned and released on DVD in aid of the Comic Relief charity fundraising event. It features guest appearances from Elton John, Robbie Williams, Simon Callow, Trisha Goddard and George Michael, and was broadcast 11 March 2005. Little Britain: The Complete Third Series, due for release 4 September 2006, BBCDVD1919 Books Little Britain: The Complete Scripts and Stuff: Series One, 20 September 2004, ISBN 0007193025 Little Britain: The Complete Scripts and Stuff: Series Two, 3 October 2005, ISBN 0007198728 Stage show See 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. See also Cross-dressing in film and television External links Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Little Britain Official sites BBC Little Britain site BBC Radio 4 Little Britain site BBC Three Little Britain site Episode guides Little Britain at the Internet Movie Database Little Britain episode guide at TV.com Little Britain at the British Sitcom Guide Little Britain episode guide at TVRage.com Little Britain Series 1, 2 and 3 guides Other related sites Little Britain Fans Little Britain Fan Site Audioville Clips of Little Britain radio series 1 & 2 Little Britain BBC idents at Idents.tv. Little Britain video clips at www.comedyclips.nl Little Britain Fansite Little Britain Top Sites Search Term: "Little_Britain" Categories: BBC television programmes | British cultural icons | Little Britain | UKTV programmes