The Fast Show (1994–2001)

Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and Caroline Aherne star in this sketch show with characters like Ken and Kenneth two rude tailors... See full synopsis »

Stars:

Paul Whitehouse, Simon Day, Charlie Higson

6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Paul Whitehouse	...	Various Roles (23 episodes, 1994-2000)
Simon Day	...	Various Roles (23 episodes, 1994-2000)
Charlie Higson	...	Various Roles (23 episodes, 1994-2000)
John Thomson	...	Various Roles (23 episodes, 1994-2000)
Arabella Weir	...	Various Roles (23 episodes, 1994-2000)
Mark Williams	...	Various Roles (23 episodes, 1994-2000)
Caroline Aherne	...	Various Roles (21 episodes, 1994-1997)
Eryl Maynard	...	Various Roles (21 episodes, 1994-2000)
Paul Shearer	...	Various Roles (20 episodes, 1994-2000)
Maria McErlane	...	Various Roles (15 episodes, 1996-2000)
Colin McFarlane	...	Various Roles (14 episodes, 1994-2000)
Donna Ewin	...	Chanel 9 Girl (13 episodes, 1996-2000)
Rory Jennings	...	Toby (11 episodes, 1996-2000)

Storyline

Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and Caroline Aherne star in this sketch show with characters like Ken and Kenneth two rude tailors... See full synopsis »

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Plot Keywords:

comedian | actor playing multiple roles | sketch comedy | joke | actress playing multiple roles | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

BBC America [us] (US title is "Brilliant!") BBCi [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 March 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brilliant!

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (25 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ron Manager: Self belief. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it, I can do it, I can really move from my head right down to my blue suede shoes. Isn't it? Rubettes, 1973? Marvellous.

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Connections

Spin-off Grass (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Release Me"
Written by Eddie Miller, Robert Yount, and Dub Williams
Performed by Paul Whitehouse

User Reviews

And then Britain gave birth to the finest comedy ever...which was nice.

I pity any American reading this, I truly do. Over here we get the absolute cream of the sketch show crop. An absolute masterpiece of comedy writing and acting. In America, the cream of the comedy crop is "Everybody Loves Raymond". Hah!

Some of the catchphrases in the Fast Show are so ingrained into the British national concsience that they are regularly used in just about every type of media outlet. "Football isn't it?" "You aint seen me, right?" "This week I have been mostly..." "Suit you sir!" "Schorchio!" the list goes on. What Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson have created here is legend. If there was a book on how to do great sketch shows, this would be the foundation.

The reason the Fast Show works so well is that it has found the balance. It's funny on the most basic level of physichal comedy and repeated simplicity for those who wish to switch there brains off for half an hour, whilst simaltaneously being sharply satirical and brilliantly observed enough to engage the more cynicaly minded viewer. The fact that Ron Manager, the football analyst now has his own column in a Saturday Sport pullout in the Guardian is a measure of what huge cult figures the characters have become.

So in conclusion I would just like to say:

Son terrenos el kleftikos den teflon do Fast Show est ter keles butros butros Gahli. Faliahala falihala faliahalay faliahala Chris Waddle. Ten deros muchos bonkos hinky sminky pinky meth-eth-eth-eth-eth-eth-eth-eth-eth-eth-eth Nelson Mandela win on penalties. Hava vin doros fendevicos Sheffield Uwednesdaye e hemeriodos ton fig leaf e six gerbils.

In other words

Brillllliaaaaaannnnnnntttttttttt!!!!!!!