The Fast Show - Revision history

Kurt: /* Style and content */

2024-08-25T18:46:53Z

Style and content

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	In the early 1990s, Higson and Whitehouse worked extensively with [[Vic Reeves]] and [[Bob Mortimer]], writing for and performing in the series ''[[The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer]]'' and ''[[Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer]]'' (both of which Higson produced). These series also featured numerous appearances by future ''Fast Show'' cast members Caroline Aherne, Simon Day, Mark Williams and Rhys Thomas. Higson made many appearances in minor roles, while Williams and Whitehouse had recurring roles (with Vic and Bob) in ''The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer'', parodying the members of rock group [[Slade]] in the "Slade in Residence" and "Slade on Holiday" sketches.		In the early 1990s, Higson and Whitehouse worked extensively with [[Vic Reeves]] and [[Bob Mortimer]], writing for and performing in the series ''[[The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer]]'' and ''[[Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer]]'' (both of which Higson produced). These series also featured numerous appearances by future ''Fast Show'' cast members Caroline Aherne, Simon Day, Mark Williams and Rhys Thomas. Higson made many appearances in minor roles, while Williams and Whitehouse had recurring roles (with Vic and Bob) in ''The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer'', parodying the members of rock group [[Slade]] in the "Slade in Residence" and "Slade on Holiday" sketches.

	Inspired by a press preview tape of Enfield's show, compiled by producer friend [[Geoffrey Perkins]] and consisting of fast-cut highlights of Enfield's sketches, the pair began stockpiling material and developing the idea of a rapid-fire 'MTV generation'-format based on quick cuts and soundbites/catchphrases.~~{{When\|date=July 2012}}~~ After unsuccessfully trying to sell the series to [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] through an independent production company, Higson and Whitehouse approached the new controller of [[BBC Two\|BBC2]], [[Michael Jackson (television executive)\|Michael Jackson]]. He was looking for new shows at the time to replace several high-profile series that had been recently lost to [[BBC One\|BBC1]], and their show was picked up.<ref name="Dewhurst"/>		Inspired by a press preview tape of Enfield's show, compiled by producer friend [[Geoffrey Perkins]] and consisting of fast-cut highlights of Enfield's sketches, the pair began stockpiling material and developing the idea of a rapid-fire 'MTV generation'-format based on quick cuts and soundbites/catchphrases. After unsuccessfully trying to sell the series to [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] through an independent production company, Higson and Whitehouse approached the new controller of [[BBC Two\|BBC2]], [[Michael Jackson (television executive)\|Michael Jackson]]. He was looking for new shows at the time to replace several high-profile series that had been recently lost to [[BBC One\|BBC1]], and their show was picked up.<ref name="Dewhurst"/>

	Whitehouse and Higson, as co-producers and main writers, assembled the original team of writers and performers, which included [[David Cummings (musician)\|David Cummings]], Mark Williams, Caroline Aherne, Paul Shearer, Simon Day, Arabella Weir, John Thomson, [[Graham Linehan]] and [[Arthur Mathews (writer)\|Arthur Mathews]] (of ''[[Father Ted]]'' fame), [[Dave Gorman]], Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer and [[Craig Cash]] (who went on to write and perform with Aherne in ''[[The Royle Family]]''). Musical director [[Philip Pope]] was also an established comedy actor with extensive experience in TV and radio comedy, and had previously appeared in series such as ''[[Who Dares Wins (TV series)\|Who Dares Wins]]'' and ''[[KYTV (TV series)\|KYTV]]''; he also enjoyed success as a comedy recording artist as part of [[HeeBeeGeebees\|The HeeBeeGeebees]], the [[Bee Gees]] parody group. ''The Fast Show'' was a [[working title]] disliked by both Whitehouse and Higson but it went unchanged through production and eventually remained as the final title.<ref name="Comedy Connections 2006">Comedy Connections: The Fast Show (Season 4 Episode 1, 2006, BBC TV)</ref>		Whitehouse and Higson, as co-producers and main writers, assembled the original team of writers and performers, which included [[David Cummings (musician)\|David Cummings]], Mark Williams, Caroline Aherne, Paul Shearer, Simon Day, Arabella Weir, John Thomson, [[Graham Linehan]] and [[Arthur Mathews (writer)\|Arthur Mathews]] (of ''[[Father Ted]]'' fame), [[Dave Gorman]], Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer and [[Craig Cash]] (who went on to write and perform with Aherne in ''[[The Royle Family]]''). Musical director [[Philip Pope]] was also an established comedy actor with extensive experience in TV and radio comedy, and had previously appeared in series such as ''[[Who Dares Wins (TV series)\|Who Dares Wins]]'' and ''[[KYTV (TV series)\|KYTV]]''; he also enjoyed success as a comedy recording artist as part of [[HeeBeeGeebees\|The HeeBeeGeebees]], the [[Bee Gees]] parody group. ''The Fast Show'' was a [[working title]] disliked by both Whitehouse and Higson but it went unchanged through production and eventually remained as the final title.<ref name="Comedy Connections 2006">Comedy Connections: The Fast Show (Season 4 Episode 1, 2006, BBC TV)</ref>

Kurt at 18:46, 25 August 2024

2024-08-25T18:46:36Z

Kurt: /* Recurring characters and sketches */

2023-01-13T19:09:37Z

Recurring characters and sketches

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	* '''"Even Better Than That!"''' (Williams), a slack-jawed, not too bright man who comes back from the shops with something ridiculously unnecessary instead of what his wife sent him out for. Written by Bob Mortimer. (series 3)		* '''"Even Better Than That!"''' (Williams), a slack-jawed, not too bright man who comes back from the shops with something ridiculously unnecessary instead of what his wife sent him out for. Written by Bob Mortimer. (series 3)
	* '''Sir Geoffrey Norman MP''' (Higson), a politician who responds to all questions (however innocuous) as if he were performing on-air political damage limitation, refusing outright to answer the question, stonewalling or speaking in legal-ese to explain why he will not answer. (series 2)		* '''Sir Geoffrey Norman MP''' (Higson), a politician who responds to all questions (however innocuous) as if he were performing on-air political damage limitation, refusing outright to answer the question, stonewalling or speaking in legal-ese to explain why he will not answer. (series 2)
	* '''Gideon Soames''' (Day), white-haired, posh-talking architecture and history professor, possibly a cross between [[Simon Schama]] and [[Brian Sewell]], with some elements of [[Bamber Gascoigne]].~~{{citation needed\|date=December 2013}}~~ Despite the serious tone of his speeches, their content becomes increasingly ridiculous. (series 2–3)		* '''Gideon Soames''' (Day), white-haired, posh-talking architecture and history professor, possibly a cross between [[Simon Schama]] and [[Brian Sewell]], with some elements of [[Bamber Gascoigne]]. Despite the serious tone of his speeches, their content becomes increasingly ridiculous. (series 2–3)
	* The '''Historian''' (Williams), a jubilant, but emotionally imbalanced man who patrols the corridors of an historic boys academy alone whilst telling tall tales about former traditions both cruel and unreasonable. (series 3)		* The '''Historian''' (Williams), a jubilant, but emotionally imbalanced man who patrols the corridors of an historic boys academy alone whilst telling tall tales about former traditions both cruel and unreasonable. (series 3)
	* '''"Six Hours In Make-Up"''' (Thomson), an over-the-top thespian describes his character and mentions that he needs to spend six hours being made up when actually it takes a few seconds (series 3)		* '''"Six Hours In Make-Up"''' (Thomson), an over-the-top thespian describes his character and mentions that he needs to spend six hours being made up when actually it takes a few seconds (series 3)
	* '''Monster Monster''' (Whitehouse), a vampire who creeps up on a slumbering woman and gives her betting advice (series 3). The set-up is a parody of a scene from the 1922 German classic horror film ''[[Nosferatu]]'', while the vampire's voice and catchphrase of "Monster, monster" are based on [[Eric Hall]].~~{{citation needed\|date=December 2013}}~~		* '''Monster Monster''' (Whitehouse), a vampire who creeps up on a slumbering woman and gives her betting advice (series 3). The set-up is a parody of a scene from the 1922 German classic horror film ''[[Nosferatu]]'', while the vampire's voice and catchphrase of "Monster, monster" are based on [[Eric Hall]].
	* '''Roger Nouveau: Football Fan''' (Thomson), a man who seems to talk a lot about football as if a true [[Arsenal F.C.\|Arsenal]] supporter, but makes it glaringly obvious he knows nothing about the game. (series 3)		* '''Roger Nouveau: Football Fan''' (Thomson), a man who seems to talk a lot about football as if a true [[Arsenal F.C.\|Arsenal]] supporter, but makes it glaringly obvious he knows nothing about the game. (series 3)
	* '''The Hurried Poor''', a father (Williams), mother and two children only seen in extremely short sketches in which they are rushing from place to place in a panic for no apparent reason. The father is constantly shrieking at his family to "run" or "come on!"		* '''The Hurried Poor''', a father (Williams), mother and two children only seen in extremely short sketches in which they are rushing from place to place in a panic for no apparent reason. The father is constantly shrieking at his family to "run" or "come on!"

Kurt: /* Recurring characters and sketches */

2023-01-13T19:08:56Z

Recurring characters and sketches

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	=== Recurring characters and sketches ===		=== Recurring characters and sketches ===
	~~{{original research\|section\|date=December 2018}}~~
	* '''Checkout Girl''' (Aherne), a simple and chatty young woman working behind the till at a supermarket who passes comment on every item the customer buys regardless of the personal or sensitive nature of the product: "[[K-Y Jelly]]... bit of vaginal dryness?" (series 3)		* '''Checkout Girl''' (Aherne), a simple and chatty young woman working behind the till at a supermarket who passes comment on every item the customer buys regardless of the personal or sensitive nature of the product: "[[K-Y Jelly]]... bit of vaginal dryness?" (series 3)
	* '''Ed Winchester''' ([[Jeff Harding (actor)\|Jeff Harding]]), an American reporter. He beams at the camera introduces himself, "Hi! I'm Ed Winchester!", in an upbeat voice. In one sketch, someone else (Colin McFarlane) introduced himself with "Hi! I'm Ed Winchester!" He later replied with "No I'm not. I don't know why I just said that." (series 1-2)		* '''Ed Winchester''' ([[Jeff Harding (actor)\|Jeff Harding]]), an American reporter. He beams at the camera introduces himself, "Hi! I'm Ed Winchester!", in an upbeat voice. In one sketch, someone else (Colin McFarlane) introduced himself with "Hi! I'm Ed Winchester!" He later replied with "No I'm not. I don't know why I just said that." (series 1-2)

Kurt: /* List of regular characters and sketches {{anchor|List of regular characters}} */

2023-01-13T19:08:37Z

List of regular characters and sketches {{anchor|List of regular characters}}

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	== List of regular characters and sketches {{anchor\|List of regular characters}} ==		== List of regular characters and sketches {{anchor\|List of regular characters}} ==
	~~{{original research\|section\|date=December 2018}}~~
	The show featured many characters and sketches. Some of the more prominent recurring characters/sketches are:		The show featured many characters and sketches. Some of the more prominent recurring characters/sketches are:
	[[File:Unlucky-Alf.JPG\|thumb\|alt=Unlucky" Alf, a lonely old pensioner living somewhere in Northern England for whom nothing ever goes right\|"Unlucky" Alf]]		[[File:Unlucky-Alf.JPG\|thumb\|alt=Unlucky" Alf, a lonely old pensioner living somewhere in Northern England for whom nothing ever goes right\|"Unlucky" Alf]]

Kurt at 19:08, 13 January 2023

2023-01-13T19:08:17Z

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	{{short description\|BBC comedy sketch show}}		{{short description\|BBC comedy sketch show}}
	~~{{redirect\|Scorchio\|the instrumental\|Scorchio (instrumental)}}~~
	~~{{More citations needed\|date=December 2013}}~~
	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	\| image = Fast show fosters funny.png		\| image = Fast show fosters funny.png
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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	~~{{Wikiquote\|The Fast Show}}~~
	* {{BBC programme}}		* {{BBC programme}}
	* {{IMDb title\|id=0108771\|title=The Fast Show}}		* {{IMDb title\|id=0108771\|title=The Fast Show}}
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	{{The Fast Show}}		{{The Fast Show}}

	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2015}}~~

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Fast Show, The}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Fast Show, The}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-12-30T22:44:10Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 17:44, 30 December 2022
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92.0.252.57 at 14:44, 24 December 2022

2022-12-24T14:44:44Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:46, 25 August 2024
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	~~{{short description\|BBC comedy sketch show}}~~
	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	\| image = Fast show fosters funny.png		\| image = Fast show fosters funny.png
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	Other long-standing running jokes in the programme included the fictitious snack food "Cheesy Peas" in various forms, shapes and flavours, in satirical adverts presented by a northern boy who claims, "They're great for your teas!" and has since become a reality thanks to UK TV chef [[Jamie Oliver]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/cheesy-peas \|title=Food \| Recipes (UK) \|publisher=Jamie Oliver \|access-date=31 Dec 2015}}</ref> The earnestness of the [[born-again Christian]] was parodied in another group of sketches where various characters responded to any comment or question by extolling the virtues of "Our Lord Jesus" and ended the sketch with the exclamation "He died for all our sins, didn't he?" or something similar; and "We're from the [[Isle of Man]]," featuring a stereotype of odd townsfolk in a setting portrayed as an impoverished and desolate cultural wasteland.		Other long-standing running jokes in the programme included the fictitious snack food "Cheesy Peas" in various forms, shapes and flavours, in satirical adverts presented by a northern boy who claims, "They're great for your teas!" and has since become a reality thanks to UK TV chef [[Jamie Oliver]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/cheesy-peas \|title=Food \| Recipes (UK) \|publisher=Jamie Oliver \|access-date=31 Dec 2015}}</ref> The earnestness of the [[born-again Christian]] was parodied in another group of sketches where various characters responded to any comment or question by extolling the virtues of "Our Lord Jesus" and ended the sketch with the exclamation "He died for all our sins, didn't he?" or something similar; and "We're from the [[Isle of Man]]," featuring a stereotype of odd townsfolk in a setting portrayed as an impoverished and desolate cultural wasteland.

	Some of the characters resembled parodies of well-known personalities: for example, Louis Balfour, host of "Jazz Club" was reminiscent of [[Bob Harris (radio)\|Bob Harris]] of ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''<ref name="Comedy Connections 2006"/> and Ron Manager of football pundits [[Jimmy Hill]], [[Trevor Brooking]] and [[Graham Taylor]]. Paul Whitehouse said that Ron Manager was based on ex-QPR, Luton Town and Fulham manager [[Alec Stock]].~~{{citation needed\|date=February 2020}}~~ Arthur Atkinson is a composite of [[Arthur Askey]] and [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].		Some of the characters resembled parodies of well-known personalities: for example, Louis Balfour, host of "Jazz Club" was reminiscent of [[Bob Harris (radio)\|Bob Harris]] of ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''<ref name="Comedy Connections 2006"/> and Ron Manager of football pundits [[Jimmy Hill]], [[Trevor Brooking]] and [[Graham Taylor]]. Paul Whitehouse said that Ron Manager was based on ex-QPR, Luton Town and Fulham manager [[Alec Stock]]. Arthur Atkinson is a composite of [[Arthur Askey]] and [[Max Miller (comedian)\|Max Miller]].

	The show ended in 2000, with a three-part "Last Ever" show, in the first episode of which ''Fast Show'' fan [[Johnny Depp]] had a guest-starring role as a customer of The Suit You Tailors, after three series and a Christmas special.		The show ended in 2000, with a three-part "Last Ever" show, in the first episode of which ''Fast Show'' fan [[Johnny Depp]] had a guest-starring role as a customer of The Suit You Tailors, after three series and a Christmas special.
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	* '''Jesse''' (Williams), a taciturn country bumpkin who exclaims his strange diets, fashion tastes and experiments, in a single sentence "This week, I 'ave been mostly..." - except for one sketch, where he says "This week, I 'aven't been 'ungry." (Williams, series 2–3)		* '''Jesse''' (Williams), a taciturn country bumpkin who exclaims his strange diets, fashion tastes and experiments, in a single sentence "This week, I 'ave been mostly..." - except for one sketch, where he says "This week, I 'aven't been 'ungry." (Williams, series 2–3)
	* '''John Actor''' (Day), who plays Inspector Monkfish, the title character in a fictional BBC police drama. Monkfish is a "tough, uncompromising cop" who often exclaims to the nearest woman, "Put your knickers on and make me a cup of tea!" (series 2–3, online series). There were variations on the show's format, two examples being Monkfish as a "tough, uncompromising doctor" in ''Monkfish M.D.'' and Monkfish as a "tough, uncompromising vet" in ''[[All Creatures Great and Small (1978 TV series)\|All Monkfish Great and Small]]''. One Monkfish sketch even crossed over onto Chanel 9 with a promo for a series named after him with his catchphrase spoken in the channel's comedic language. Sometime between the end of series 3 and the last episode, John Actor dies yet the series is apparently continuing in the manner of ''[[Taggart (series)\|Taggart]]'' after the death of the lead actor.		* '''John Actor''' (Day), who plays Inspector Monkfish, the title character in a fictional BBC police drama. Monkfish is a "tough, uncompromising cop" who often exclaims to the nearest woman, "Put your knickers on and make me a cup of tea!" (series 2–3, online series). There were variations on the show's format, two examples being Monkfish as a "tough, uncompromising doctor" in ''Monkfish M.D.'' and Monkfish as a "tough, uncompromising vet" in ''[[All Creatures Great and Small (1978 TV series)\|All Monkfish Great and Small]]''. One Monkfish sketch even crossed over onto Chanel 9 with a promo for a series named after him with his catchphrase spoken in the channel's comedic language. Sometime between the end of series 3 and the last episode, John Actor dies yet the series is apparently continuing in the manner of ''[[Taggart (series)\|Taggart]]'' after the death of the lead actor.
	* '''Johnny Nice Painter''' (Higson), a man who paints a scene, describing all the colours. Whenever he or his wife Katie (Weir) mentions the colour "black", however, he becomes more and more depressed, eventually going somewhat insane and shouting wildly about the despair of mankind ("Where are we sleeping tonight, mother? Father's grave?", "You lock me in a cellar and feed me pins!"), despite the best efforts of his wife to prevent him from doing so. His appearance is allegedly~~{{citation needed\|date=December 2013}}~~ based on bearded TV painter [[Alwyn Crawshaw]]. (series 3, online series)		* '''Johnny Nice Painter''' (Higson), a man who paints a scene, describing all the colours. Whenever he or his wife Katie (Weir) mentions the colour "black", however, he becomes more and more depressed, eventually going somewhat insane and shouting wildly about the despair of mankind ("Where are we sleeping tonight, mother? Father's grave?", "You lock me in a cellar and feed me pins!"), despite the best efforts of his wife to prevent him from doing so. His appearance is allegedly based on bearded TV painter [[Alwyn Crawshaw]]. (series 3, online series)
	* '''Ken and Kenneth''' (Whitehouse and Williams), two tailors in a men's formal wear shop, who bombard potential customers with sexually explicit innuendo about their private life, frequently interjecting the catchphrase "Ooh! Suit you, sir!," much to the discomfort of the customer. They become confused and even frightened in two episodes; one when they get a customer who is gay, and another with a customer (Day) who is as willing to talk about sexual deviance as they are. Due to Williams's absence from the online series, his character Kenneth was written out and replaced by Kenton, played by Charlie Higson. (Ken and Kenneth: series 1,2,3; Ken and Kenton: online specials)		* '''Ken and Kenneth''' (Whitehouse and Williams), two tailors in a men's formal wear shop, who bombard potential customers with sexually explicit innuendo about their private life, frequently interjecting the catchphrase "Ooh! Suit you, sir!," much to the discomfort of the customer. They become confused and even frightened in two episodes; one when they get a customer who is gay, and another with a customer (Day) who is as willing to talk about sexual deviance as they are. Due to Williams's absence from the online series, his character Kenneth was written out and replaced by Kenton, played by Charlie Higson. (Ken and Kenneth: series 1,2,3; Ken and Kenton: online specials)
	* '''Louis Balfour''' (Thomson), pretentious and ultra laid-back presenter of ''Jazz Club'' (a parody of ''[[Old Grey Whistle Test\|The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''), based on a blend of [[Bob Harris (radio)\|Bob Harris]] and [[Roger Moore]].<ref name="Suit You 1999"/> Seemingly having done his "research", he introduces his guests by comparing them to avant-garde jazz musicians or describing their style/technique by using complex musical phraseology. These guests usually turn out to be utterly talentless "experimentalists", generally to his bemusement. Although he also often appears to appreciate the music, he once followed his apparent appreciation with a look of disgust. His catchphrase "Nice!" was delivered by turning to a different camera for that word only. Later he delivered other words in a similar manner. His jazz characters often have ridiculous names of real places, such as 'Theydon Bois' on drums and 'Stamford Brook' on bass (both stations on the [[London Underground]] map), and 'Stepney Green', son of [[Soylent Green\|Soylent]]. In addition, some guests were obvious parodies of real musicians such as [[Jay Kay]], [[Tony Bennett]] and [[Nigel Kennedy]]. (series 2–3, online series) In one episode Jazz Club was parodied as "Indie Club", presented by Simon Rhodes (Day) as an obvious parody of the music journalism of the time. The musical guests, Colon, were described as dangerous and uncompromising, only for the music to be twee jangly indie-pop.		* '''Louis Balfour''' (Thomson), pretentious and ultra laid-back presenter of ''Jazz Club'' (a parody of ''[[Old Grey Whistle Test\|The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''), based on a blend of [[Bob Harris (radio)\|Bob Harris]] and [[Roger Moore]].<ref name="Suit You 1999"/> Seemingly having done his "research", he introduces his guests by comparing them to avant-garde jazz musicians or describing their style/technique by using complex musical phraseology. These guests usually turn out to be utterly talentless "experimentalists", generally to his bemusement. Although he also often appears to appreciate the music, he once followed his apparent appreciation with a look of disgust. His catchphrase "Nice!" was delivered by turning to a different camera for that word only. Later he delivered other words in a similar manner. His jazz characters often have ridiculous names of real places, such as 'Theydon Bois' on drums and 'Stamford Brook' on bass (both stations on the [[London Underground]] map), and 'Stepney Green', son of [[Soylent Green\|Soylent]]. In addition, some guests were obvious parodies of real musicians such as [[Jay Kay]], [[Tony Bennett]] and [[Nigel Kennedy]]. (series 2–3, online series) In one episode Jazz Club was parodied as "Indie Club", presented by Simon Rhodes (Day) as an obvious parody of the music journalism of the time. The musical guests, Colon, were described as dangerous and uncompromising, only for the music to be twee jangly indie-pop.