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''Little Britain'' is a character-based by Lucas and Walliams in 2007. Many of the characters on the show have their own often-repeated catchphrases. Many have become well-known in the United Kingdom , and the show has gained a mainstream following. HISTORY Most of the TV material was adapted from the radio version, but with more emphasis on recurring characters and catchphrases. As a result of its success, the first television series was repeated on the more mainstream channel BBC Two . Although reactions 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, the episodes were edited for their BBC One run, as the material was deemed too offensive for the BBC One audience. A third series began on 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 were reportedly in talks for a fourth series with the BBC. Furthermore, they admitted in an interview they preferred to "kill off" certain characters in order to make way for new ones. As part of Red Nose Day 2007 , BBC One broadcast sketches recorded at the live stage show version featuring the real Dennis Waterman as well as supermodel Kate Moss in sketches. 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. All the episodes for the series were filmed at Pinewood Studios . STYLE AND CONTENT The format of the show is a compilation of short sketches featuring recurring 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, an underground tunnel linking us to Peru, and we invented the cat" or, "Unlike other countries, Britain has people of two genders: women and men." The style of ''Little Britain'' has evolved over the years. The radio series and first season on TV tended to consist of surreal concepts taken to logical extremes (such as the Witch employing Contractors to build her Gingerbread House or the man leaving increasingly bizarre messages on his Answering Machine .) The sketches that caught the public's imagination, however, tended to be those which gave rise to memorable Catchphrases and memes. CAST Matt Lucas and David Walliams play all the main characters in the show. Tom Baker narrates and Paul Putner , Steve Furst , Sally Rogers , David Foxxe , Samantha Power , Yuki Kushida and Stirling Gallacher regularly appear as several different characters. Other regular cast include Anthony Head as the Prime Minister, Ruth Jones as Myfanwy, Charu Bala Chokshi as Meera and Joann Condon as Fat Pat. Guest appearances Since its debut on television, ''Little Britain'' has featured many guest appearances from celebrities and television personalities playing characters. These include Rob Brydon as Bubbles DeVere 's ex-husband Roman, Jamie Theakston as Prime Minister's old friend, Dawn French as Vicky Pollard 's mother Shelly, Nigel Havers as the Leader of the Opposition, Patricia Kane as an elderly resident of Llandewi Breffi, Peter Kay as Dudley Punt 's brother Les and Ruth Madoc as Daffyd Thomas ' mother. Many have also appeared as themselves including David Baddiel , Tyson Reinhardt , Jennie Bond , Ronnie Corbett , Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee (deleted scenes), Cat Deeley , Vanessa Feltz , Trisha Goddard , Keith Harris (deleted scenes), Elton John , Derek Martin , Paul McKenna , George Michael , Richard Madeley , Judy Finnigan , David Soul , Les McKeown , Mollie Sugden and Robbie Williams . MAIN CHARACTERS See Also: Little Britain characters As a sketch show, ''Little Britain'' features many characters, most are played by Lucas and Walliams with varying degrees of costume and makeup. The following is a summary of the most well known.
CATCHPHRASES A lot of the humour in the show relies heavily on the consistent use of character based catchphrases. These are some of the most well-known: EPISODES See Also: List of Little Britain episodes As of April 2007 there are three series of ''Little Britain'' consisting of 20 episodes. Additionally there is a separate pilot episode, two Charity Specials and a two part Christmas special known as ''Little Britain Abroad'', which was broadcast in December 2006. This makes a total of 25 episodes to date. CHARITY
CRITICISM The series, and in particular its second and third season, have been criticised for their perceived treatment of minority groups. For example, Johann Hari , writing in '' The Independent '', stated: Similarly, Fergus Sheppard, writing in '' The Scotsman '' wrote: The programme has become increasingly popular with children, despite being shown after the 2006 Although the series' supporters have dismissed these attacks, the suggestions of unhelpful attitudes towards race are hard to shake off, since regular characters in series 3 included an obese black woman (played by Walliams, albeit that she is the enemy of an obese white woman), and an unattractive Thai bride (played by Lucas, though she is married to an equally unattractive white man). This is in contrast to the first TV series, which contained a sketch apparently aimed at racist attitudes: two men in Blackface (as once seen in '' The Black And White Minstrel Show '') are shown unable to find a room in a Bed And Breakfast . Counter-critics respond however that they believe Little Britain has only been carrying on the brand of non-politically correct humour that originated with Monty Python , Bernard Manning , '' Curry And Chips '', and Benny Hill . FUTURE OF ''LITTLE BRITAIN'' Matt Lucas and David Walliams have recently signed a three-year deal with the BBC. The duo are currently planning a new show — one in which some of their best-known characters return, but it will be a "totally new and different series". BBC News: Lucas and Walliams reign set to last URL accessed 20 July 2006 However, it was revealed that ''Little Britain'' would return for a fourth series on the British Comedy Awards 2006. It is unknown whether this is related in any way to the new show. A two part ''Little Britain'' Christmas special entitled ''Little Britain Abroad'' aired over the 2006 Christmas season. Part one aired on Christmas Day, followed by part two on , 2006 .. Lucas and Walliams announced that the British series was over for them. {Link without Title} . "David Walliams and Matt Lucas Dump Little Britain". Now Magazine. Retrieved July 31 , 2007 . Lucas and Walliams are expected to produce a new series for the BBC as per their holding deal. Lucas was quoted as saying he "likes the idea of starting over again". American version Walliams and Lucas are due to create an American version of ''Little Britain'' for 2006 . Lucas revealed that he and Walliams have been practicing with a vocal coach for their new US series which will contain "old and new characters". {Link without Title} . The Sun Online. Retrieved 2007 . The six-part series will film in January 2008 and will air on HBO in 2008. {Link without Title} . "Untitled US Series". Retrieved July 11 , 2007 . Israeli version Starting in February 2007, Israel's 2007 . It should be noted that Walliams and Lucas have nothing to do with ''ha-Yisre'elīm''. Russian version In 2006, Moscow-based national TV company "TNT" ("ТНТ") licensed the format of "Little Britain" to create their own similar show - "Nasha Russia" (literally, "Our Russia"). Two writers - Mikhail Galustyan and Sergey Svetlakov - completed two series of the show (about 20 episodes in total), which were well appreciated by the Russian audience. Some of their sketches can be viewed online on the official site. {Link without Title} Nasha Russia Official Site. As with the Israeli version, Walliams and Lucas have nothing to do with this show. WORLDWIDE BROADCAST STAGE SHOW: "LITTLE BRITAIN LIVE" The 2005–06 Tour is a stage show of ''Little Britain'' sketches that played at venues throughout the UK and Ireland. Tickets quickly sold out. In 2007 "Little Britain Live" toured around Opera House on Tuesday 9th May, 2006. SEE ALSO REFERENCES FURTHER READING EXTERNAL LINKS
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