LITTLE BRITAIN
SERIES TWO
Starring:
Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Anthony Head, Geraldine James, Ruth Madoc, Tom
Baker, Nigel Havers and Vanessa Feltz
Created by:
Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Out to buy on DVD 10/10/05
"I want that one"
"Britain, Britain, Britain! Population: One millions, Number of towns, Nine. Average height, Thirty. Shoe size... But just who are Britain? Over the next eleventeen weeks we aim to find out by following the lives of ordinary British folk. What do they, who is they and why?"
Every now and again a comedy series hits the UK and it becomes part of the culture with the whole population quoting from their favourite sketches. 'Little Britain' is that show in the new Millennium.
Similar to hit comedy series like 'Vic Reeves' Big Night Out', 'The Harry Enfield Television Show' and 'The Fast Show' that came before it, 'Little Britain' has become a sketch show phenomenon. With instantly quotable catchphrases, outrageous characters and a certain little hint of surrealism, the show is quirky and balances on the edge of decency, just what the British people love.
After emerging from radio on to the small screen, the mammoth success of first series put great pressure on writers and creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams to push the show even further in its second series. The good news is that they succeed in taking the show to the next level. The problem with all sketch shows is that reoccurring characters can easily become repetitive and very samey but in the hands of Lucas and Walliams, even the most popular characters are still fresh.
Vicky Pollard continues to say everything isn't her fault. Marjorie Dawes continues to torment the people at Fat Fighters. Lou is still taking care of his best friend Andy. Sebastian is still fiercely loyal to the Prime Minster. Daffyd insists that he is still the only gay in the village. Emily has found another 'Lady' to do Lady things with. Dennis Waterman still wants to sing and write the theme tune to everything his agent gets him. With all your favourites returning, the formula for continued success is there.
When you add new characters into the mix like Judy and Maggie from the Women's Institute who are quite as accepting of difference cultures as they should be, Bubbles DeVere who will do anything to get out of paying her spa fees and Harvey who introduces his very close family to his fiancée Jane, you have more quotable characters for the public to fall in love with. There are also characters that appear throughout each episode, that get a big a laugh as any of the favourites.
The 'Little Britain' formula works but it can probably only work for so long. The second series keeps the formula running at full steam however. While the series does get a bit repetitive if you keep watching it and looses most of its freshness with repeat viewing but that will not bother fans. With all your favourites returning and some hilarious new characters, 'Little Britain' looks like it won't be running out of steam anytime soon.
PICTURE AND SOUND
Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack the transfer is very good.
BONUS FEATURES
Disc 1
Episode Commentaries
Matt Lucas and David Walliams provide audio commentary tracks for all of
the six episodes of season two. These tracks are just as funny as what you
are watching on screen, with the pair, who are joined by other members of
the production team, talking about the evolution of the characters and the
new characters introduced in this run of the series. These are just as fun
to listen to as watching the episodes and a must listen for fans.
Disc 2
Little Documentary (43.46 mins)
Joe Cornish and Dan Mudford take you behind the scenes of the second series
of 'Little Britain'. With contributions from Jamie Theakston, Vanessa Feltz,
Geraldine James, and Anthony Head, Joe and Dan follow series creators Matt
Lucas and David Walliams to places that you have never seen before, including
some very risqué places. We hear about the origins of some of the sketches
and characters as Matt, David and the rest of the cast rehearse for the
new series. The documentary then goes on location as we meet both Matt and
David's family, as they talk about their now very famous family members.
The location shoot also reveals how the magic of special effects allowed
for Judy and Maggie's reaction to the food at the summer fate. We also see
how Matt became Bubbles. From then on the documentary takes you behind the
scenes of the recording in front of a live studio audience at the BBC Television
Centre. This is a very funny look at the recording of the series and a must
watch for fans.
Comic Relief Special (22.03 mins)
With optional commentary from David Walliams and Matt Lucas, this is the
special edition episode recorded for Comic Relief. The episode includes
guest appearances from Robbie Williams, Elton John and George Michael.
Comic Relief Outtakes (2.53 mins)
Watch a montage of gaffs and mistakes recorded during the making of the
Comic Relief special.
Deleted Scenes (49.52 mins)
With optional commentary from Matt Lucas, David Walliams and producer Geoff
Posner, these are the sketches, characters and sequences that didn't quite
make the second series. The trio explain why these didn't make it into the
series via the commentary but these are still some very funny sketches and
new characters. At almost of the length as two episodes this is a real bonus
for fans.
Little Britain at the NFT (43.17 mins)
Ex-Goodie Dr Graeme Garden interviews Matt Lucas and David Walliams at the
National Film Theatre. In front of a live audience Graeme Garden asks the
'Little Britain' creators about how they met, working together, 'Rock Profiles'
and then onto there latest series. The pair chats about the creation and
development of the characters and how the show is moving on since the first
series.
The Chris Moyles Show Interview (34.47 mins)
Listen to the BBC Radio One interview with the saviour of the Breakfast
airwaves as the comic pair talk about the second series of the show and
get involved with Chris, Comedy Dave and the rest of the morning team.
Jonathan Ross Radio Show Interview (34.56 mins)
Listen to the pair's BBC Radio Two with the station's top rated presenter,
Jonathan Ross.
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross Interview (9.56 mins)
Watch Matt and David's interview on Jonathan Ross's BBC chat show.
Richard & Judy Sketch (1.03 mins)
See Britain's premiere evening chat show hosts try and do their own version
of Lou and Andy.
Daffyd Sketch (1.59 mins)
Watch the only gay in the village sketch that was considered a little too
much for BBC One.
OVERALL
The BBC have done a great job with the second season of DVD. The inclusion of commentary tracks on every episode and the special Comic Relief show is excellent and the behind the scenes documentaries and the deleted scenes only add to the quality of the release. There are no yeah but, no buts about buying this DVD set if you are a fan of the series.
DVD
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