Little Britain

Little Britain is a BBC radio and television sketch show written by and starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams. The original series debuted on BBC Radio 4 in 2001, running for two short series of five and four half-hour episodes respectively. In 2003, the show began as a television series on the BBC's digital-only channel BBC 3, running to 8 episodes. Most of the TV material was adapted from the original radio sketches, but there were also some original sketches featuring new recurring characters. Due to the success of the series, the first series was repeated on the mainstream channel BBC 2. Although reactions to the series were mixed, many critics were enthusiastic, and the show was recommissioned for another series. Interestingly, unlike many radio-based successes which have crossed over to television, it is understood that a new radio series of the programme is also planned. A second TV series featuring several new characters began on BBC 3 on October 19, 2004, and due to the show's popularity the scheduled repeat run was "promoted" to BBC 1, starting on December 3, 2004, guaranteeing higher ratings. However, the repeat showing did not feature material from the original run deemed too offensive for the BBC 1 audience.

Pilot Episode

The pilot episode was made in 2002, and contained many sketches that would be remade for the series. It is included on the DVD set of the first series.

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The sketches included:

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• The sketch where Vicky Pollard is tried for theft. It is almost the same as the broadcast version, but carries on for slightly longer and reveals that Vicky has stolen her solictor's purse. Vicky has a slightly deeper voice, and doesn't speak as fast as in the series.
• A version of Ray McCooney's initial sketch, but set in Mr. Aberdoon's Stook Hoose (Steak House). McCooney becomes Aberdoon, the chef, and the conversation is largely the same, though Aberdoon gives a few extra ingredients to the soup. His appearance is completely different: he has pointy ears, no glasses, a beard and red hair. He also wears different clothes.
• A number of scenes featuring Latymer, a masseuse who tries to get his clients to calm down in strange ways, usually by describing scenes of graphic carnage.
• Emily Howard going to the local sports center for a swim, and nearly being thrown out by the attendant after trying to get into the Ladies' changing room. S/he has different clothing and more make-up, plus a higher voice.
• Mr. Mann's initial sketch. It is exactly the same as it was in the broadcast version. Only the first half is in it, however. There was not enough time for the conclusion from the series to be shown.
• The Prime Minister's press conference with a number of children's magazines. Also the same as the broadcast version.
• Marjorie Dawes holding a Fat Fighters meeting. The meeting is set at her house instead of the village hall, and only has four people in attendance, Paul, Pat (played by a different actress), Meera and Christopher Halliday, a 13-year-old boy.
• The sketch with the PM and Sebastian Love holding an approval poll meeting, then having Love pin the PM to the couch pretending that a sniper is near the window. Runs a few seconds longer than the broadcast version, and ends with the PM's wife irritatedly suggesting that Love be fired.
• Jeremy Rent offering Dennis Waterman the chance to appear in a new film called Lucky Runnings, only for Waterman to dismiss it out of hand after discovering that the theme tune has already been written. Rent reminds Waterman of the effect this is having and also reminds him that he was nearly cast as Indiana Jones' brother in a new film. The producers on that film then call Rent and offer Waterman the role again (due to the chosen actor being decapitated), only for Waterman to instantly mess up in his usual style. The office is different.
• A slightly different version of the initial Gary and Jason sketch, featuring a different cast for the family. An extended version of this scene can be found in the Deleted Scenes, in which Jason tries to seduce Nan with sexy music. Gary and Jason look the same, but the house is different.
• Daffyd's initial sketch, but in a different pub. The characters and dialog are the same as they were in the broadcast version. There is a different person playing Myfanwy, and Daffyd and the lodger's outfits are different.
• An attempt at breaking the world record in toppled dominoes. The attempt fails when the men only use a single standard-sized box of dominoes.

Trivia

The show features several references to Doctor Who, a show which Walliams remains a big fan of.

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• In Jeremy Rent's Office in the Pilot, 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, yobs shout abuse at them in the park. Andy snaps and beats them up when they shout "Oi, Davros!" Davros is the creator of the Daleks in Doctor Who
• Matthew Waterhouse is named after the actor who played Adric, one of the companions of the Fifth Doctor on Doctor Who
• One of the Judy & Maggie (Women's Institute) sketches in Season 2 features actor Paul Darrow as a Conservative MP. Darrow played roles in the Doctor Who stories The Silurians and Timelash, he is best known for his portrayal of Kerr Avon in BBC sci-fi series Blake's 7.