BBC Babble – Lunacy in Little Britain

As a wee boy I cut my comedy teeth on Monty Python’s Flying Circus and The Benny Hill Show. Watching the silly escapades of the Python crew and the ribald frivolity of Benny Hill made my tear ducts flow with joy. Both these seminal programs laid the groundwork for sketch comedy smashes like Saturday Night Live, The Kids in the Hall and In Living Color.  While I dig American improv immensely, I’ve always carried a soft spot for the British brand of humor.

The latest comedy cavalcade to cross the Atlantic is Little Britain. What began as a radio gig evolved into a hit TV satire starting in 2003.  Matt Lucas and David Walliams are the dynamic duo responsible for creating a host of barmy characters meant to reflect the disparate personalities of contemporary England. Be it teenage girls or senile old bags, Matt and David spoof all types and classes, sparing no one.

Like most sketch shows it’s all about hits and misses. Not all of Little Britain‘s parodies work, but the successes outweigh the failures. A few, in particular, stand out for me.

Here’s the best of the best:

Marjorie Dawes – Played by Lucas, Dawes is the portly leader of Fat Fighters, a self-help group for the obese. The only thing worse than her pointed barbs is her raging insensitivity. Kill ‘em with hatred is Marjorie’s motto. She revels in other people’s pain. Call her brutally honest or call her a spiteful bitch. You be the judge.

Emily and Florence – The ugliest transvestites in the world. Too bad they are completely oblivious. Despite facial hair and manly voices, these two abominations are convinced they are “ladies.” Of course no one else buys their act, making this skit appropriately absurd.

Vicky Pollard – Lucas nails this portrayal of a transgressing teen whose motor mouth gets her into as much trouble as it gets her out of. Annoying is not a strong enough word to describe this ill-behaving pile of nuisance. She steals from the local market, pees in the public swimming pool and smokes wherever it’s prohibited.

Sebastian – Aid to the Prime Minister, Walliams plays Sebastian as a gay man in love with his boss. Often seen in compromising, suggestive positions, Sebastian lives to serve the PM’s every need and desire. His unrelenting advances are ignored, but that doesn’t sway Sebastian from feeling intense jealousy over other men who steal the Prime Minister’s attention. Yes, that is Anthony Head from Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Britain’s top dog.

Lou and Andy – Lou takes care of his wheelchair-bound pal Andy. Together, they go shopping, visit a museum and feed the ducks. Seems like a lasting friendship, except for that fact that Andy can walk and Lou has no clue. Whenever poor Lou turns his back, Andy engages in all sorts of activities such as climbing trees, leaping from diving platforms and beating-up ruffians.

Little Britain is 100% politically incorrect, which is why I admire it so much. Hopefully, the stick-in-the-mud special interest groups will keep their traps shut and leave this daring series alone. I remember a time long, long ago when people could take a joke at face value without crying for boycotts and firings. We’re becoming a nation of thin-skinned pansies. Humor comes in all shapes and sizes. Just because someone deems something improper doesn’t mean it should be silenced.

Alright, I’ll step down from my soapbox. Little Britain runs at various times on BBC America and a U.S. version debuted on HBO last September. The show is preposterous and vulgar. If this kind of comedy is your cup of tea, give it a taste.

Clacked by Scott Tunstall
on Jan 21, 2009 @ 15:00 EST5EDT