FAST SHOW VS. LITTLE BRITAIN - The Fast Show (1998) Discussion

[–] tommybabs 19 years ago

I completely agree with you!

Asps... very dangerous... you go first!

reply

Fast show ALL the way! I dont dislike Little britian but it's already become a stereotype of itself. I've been rewatching the fast show recently (went out and got them ALL on DVD :) and even after all these years it makes me laugh outloud constantly. The performances from the main cast members are always outstanding and with Paul Whitehouse often emmotional and touching. He really is a stunning actor (not just comedic). There's something almost magical about the Fast Show which little britian will never quite achieve. It's still fresh and hilarious (despite the rough edges of series 1) and at the same time brings nostalgia of being in the playground and competing with my friends to do the best impression of Rowley Birkin.

reply

[–] savethehinguian 19 years ago

You must be quite a dull person.

reply

[–] in_bloom_and_scentless 19 years ago

I like both shows but I prefer The Fast Show.

"Just gimme the godamn page!!!"

reply

[–] sprice_boy 19 years ago

All those writers for the Fast Show and it still wasn't funny. Thought this show was crap.

reply

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Hambone-2 19 years ago

I agree completely. LB is cynical, crass and unfunny. FS has some very memorable and lovable characters, somthing LB is missing entirely.

Bring back Unlucky Al!

Please?

reply

[–] Reilly_4 19 years ago

although i like little britain, it went downhill after series 1 and ML and DW knew they had a lot to live up to. but for me the fast show stayed brilliant [no pun intended] throughout its entire 3 series.

What's that? You just called me a bastard didn't you!

reply

[–] holywoodj 18 years ago

Once again I'm going for the fast show. I'm more for the fact that I prefered the amount of actors, the look of the actors, and the actors them selves. I prefer the situations fromthe fast show, its alot more random.

But coming back to actors, theres something about Whitehouse, Higson, Williams, Day & Thompson that just fitted 'great'. I think Whitehouse, Williams & Higson just have hilarious faces, Mark Williams will make me laugh with anything he says. And Paul whitehouse is a genious. I really can't find David Walliams funny for some reason, he's too normal looking.

FAST SHOW = BRILLIANT!!!

reply

[–] lostbutneverfound 18 years ago

needs more intelligence

reply

[–] ladygiggs 18 years ago

Yeah, I have to go with Fast Show on this one. I like Little Britain, but I think I will probably die laughing at the age of 80, sitting on my Unlucky Alf-style settee in front of my DVD of Fast Show season 1. Cos that stuff is never getting any less funny.

"Do you like...liver? Do you like...bacon?
Do you like liver and bacon?
Then come see my collection...on the Isle of Man."

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ianmac_donald 18 years ago

the Fast show was brilliantly written and well put together. I find little britain to be funny aswell, but there just doesnt seem to be as many great ideas floating around as what there was when they were making the fast show, so id have to say that the fast show is a better show!!

reply

[–] jiimmy 18 years ago

Even though British, I have never seen Little Britain (I have an excuse - I've been out of the country). I remember watching The Fast Show when I was younger - supberb, laugh-out-loud comedy! How can anything top this? The comedy was indeed Fast (the whole point), so you had no breathing-room between sketches.
Only one criticism - in the last few episodes ever made, the material (each sketch actually) were not as 'fast' (drawn out), and therefore not as funny. I did enjoy how the characters developed though, eg. Ted and (ok i forget the name - the posh fellow) oh that's it, Ralph.

You ain't seen me, right?

reply

[–] kevin-ryall 18 years ago

OHMYGOD The Fast Show is definitely better. I mean, where would Little Britain be without The Fast Show, Monty Python or even Blackadder? I'm sorry...but The Fast Show is by far the best comedy of all time...I'm waiting for an autograph from Paul Whitehouse and everything! I only really got into it at Christmas when I got the DVD. Now I have every single DVD created about the Fast Show! It's incredible, isn't it? The old days, eh? Marvellous. Running about, jumpers for goalposts, Ouch! Ball hits you in the face, holding back tears, I'm alright! I'm alright! Hiding you face, restraining the urge to cry, but secretly longing for the warm bosom of mother, eh? Isn't it? Marvellous.

It's so sweet with Ted and Ralph. I've recently noticed that they never look each other in the eye...AWWW!!! Oh...The Fast Show...how can you describe it? It's so funny it's just...

BBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTT!!!

reply

[–] oxalicacid 18 years ago

Just watch that Rowley Birkin sketch where he talks about his true love. The really sad one. I swear you will suddenly realise how rubbish LB is based on Paul's preformance in that sketch alone.

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jiimmy 18 years ago

is that the one where the audience claps afterwards? Isn't it amazing that he can play characters of all different ages?

reply

[–] laslopaniflex 18 years ago

The Fast Show beats Little Britain easily. It's simply because the Fast Show writers are clearly much more confident in their material and their ability to make people laugh as they don't ever have to resort to 'gross out' or 'crass' jokes that are simply designed to offend minority groups. The Fast Show, even when it's rude like the 'Suits you Sir' characters, is so good natured and frankly intensly silly it's impossible to be offended. 'Betty Swollocks' anyone?

The Fast Show is more concerned with being 'Funny' (and i daresay having fun) than trying to push the envelope in terms of taste for a cheap laugh. It's very much the sign of not knowing how to confidently end a gag, it's so much easier to have it dengenerate into crassness.

Not that i'm a prude, Daily Mail reader...But The Fast Show is miles ahead. Plus it actually has a dramatic thread for many of the characters that actually makes it quite moving. As has been mentioned on here before, Paul Whitehouse's performances are etched with pathos and wonderfully characterised (Ted and Ralph, Unlucky Alf, etc) unlike the paper thin stereotypes of Little Britain.
Particually the serious Rowley Berkin sketch, that is beautifully performed...And because they weren't afraid to put in something with a little more content (plus with huge long dramatic pauses) slap bang in the middle of a load of goofy sketches, it makes it all the more engaging because of the surprising seriousness. It reminded me of the end of Blackadder goes Forth, when they go over the top. Suddenly, at the end of all that comedy, the writers, wisely so, take the material very seriously it really effects the viewer and makes it all the more poignant. And when the images of war fade out to the field of Red Poppys it's absolutly heartbreaking.

Plus Gideon Soames is classic 'It's now fallen into the hands of Jimmy Nail'

Good work lads.

reply

[–] jiimmy 18 years ago

I completely agree. And yes the final Blackadder moment is very memorable simply because it's a serious point in a very amusing (and intelligent) comedy show; much like in the Fast Show. How LB can compare, I don't know.

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] retrogal83 18 years ago

Fast Show, without a shadow of a doubt.

Nuff said!

reply

[–] luke_cage 18 years ago

Agreed. It's so unexpected and just completely stops you in your tracks, yet somehow doesn't seem out of place at all.

This, along with Unlucky Alf makes you realise just how good Whitehouse and the show are.

reply

[–] perkin2000 18 years ago

Fast Show. Superb.

Little Britain? Meh.

reply

[–] svenusling 18 years ago

The Fast Show grows old after a couple of episodes since they always used the same characters over and over again, and never changed the punchlines. U always knew what was gonna happen which never is good. The first 2-3 episodes is hilarious. The rest is not.

reply

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cytomeres 17 years ago

Whereas little britain (yes my disdain for it prevents my use of capitols) remained fresh and completely new every episode?

The Fast Show is infinitely superior, if you chuckle at little britain and not at The Fast Show, then you clearly don't understand that you are the but of little britain's (albeit only) joke.

pan pipes?

reply

[–] necro 18 years ago

fast show - brilliant!

no really, FS is much better. more abstract. more diverse and multidimentional. thought out.

reply

[–] cluterhead 18 years ago

I prefer the fast show but I have to give credit to Matt Lucas of LB. He is an amazing comic actor. Marjorie Dawes is great. I'm not sure that any of the FS (male) actors could pull of such a convincing middle-aged woman!

reply

[–] Wolfman316 18 years ago

I think THE FAST SHOW and LITTLE BRITAIN are equally good. I think they both great comedy shows and both are really hilarious. I have got both The Fast Show and Little Britain on DVD and i think Matt Lucas, David Walliams and Paul Whitehouse are brilliant writers and comedians. Matt and Paul are amazing actors, i like Matt Lucas and i think SHOOTING STARS and LITTLE BRITAIN are the two smash-hit BBC comedy shows that made him a star. It's a shame George Dawes never became a character on LITTLE BRITIAN.
Paul is a good actor, and i thought he did good acting the last Rowley Birkin sketch of the 2nd series, when he looks sadly at the camera and says "I'm afraid i was very drunk". He's also brilliant as Ron Manager, Kenneth from "The Suit you Tailors", Clive Tucker, Chris Jackson and Ted. I think it would be cool if Matt Lucas and Paul Whitehouse did a sitcom together.
Anyway The Fast Show and Little Britian RULES!!!

reply

[–] tim-1569 17 years ago

To be honest, I'm not sure how you can compare anything on telly today to the Fast Show, let alone Little Britain. British comedy's definitely been going downhill for the past few years. No more Harry Enfield, Paul Whitehouse, etc. Even though the comic acting is still good, the writing's simply not up to standard. It lacks intelligence, poignance, and just isn't funny! Abusing ethnic minorities CAN be funny if done in the right way...which LB doesn't. But I think it's just the general trend of the country, like for instance slowing down Have I Got News For You, the only decent bit of political satire still around.

reply

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] FiHappy5 17 years ago

Will you marry me, Tim?

Fiona

reply

[–] Clive-Candy 17 years ago

THE FAST SHOW is better then little britain it is becuase there hasnt been any good sketch shows in years.
The Fast Show-sketch show of the 90's
Little Britain-skectch show of the 00's

reply

[–] DBloodnok 17 years ago

Little Britain unfortunately mirrors broader trends at work in this country - crudity and crassness in place of intelligence and wit. Now, that's the leader for tomorrow's "Telegraph" out of the way.....

To answer the thread position - and an interesting one it is, too - I'd have to say The Fast Show, no contest. LB did have its moments in the first series, I must admit - but the way Lucas and Walliams are treated like the Royal Family of British comedy makes me in turn sick and bemused. And as for Catherine (C or K? don't know, don't care) Tate - she makes LB look like the Best of British.

Harry Enfield trumps them all though, in my opinion.

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

reply

[–] Ghostshadow187 17 years ago

I recently watched some episodes of the Fast show recently. I'd actually forgotten how funny it was. I cant stop chuckling everytime I think of the Jazz club with Jeremy Kwee,the cockneys in the Northern pub or my personal favourite Arthur Atkinson in his seventies sex comedy. Little Britain on the other hand is way too reliant on (and I really don't want to sound middle aged about this) toilet humour. Series one of little britain was alright but then it all fell apart.

Republicans dont watch stand up, theyre busy watching cartoons, trying to see who's gay.

reply

[–] DBloodnok 17 years ago

Arthur Atkinson is just sublime

(Arthur, dressed as a telegram boy, in an early 'talkie' movie and talking very, very slowly): Where is my washboard?

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

reply

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] retrogal83 17 years ago

I used to like Little Britain but it is boring now; just so repetitive. They should have stopped after one series.

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ It's a load of old Pony...

reply

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sy_mash1984 17 years ago

Bono Estente
ethhtthethe the eth the chris waddle
seriously i totally agree while little britain i tink is a funny show it has prob gone on for long enough now the 3rdseason seemed a bit too tired and they tried a bit hard, whereas the fastshow never really reached its peak i feel, they could of easily done 1 more season of that

scorchio!

reply

[–] flowers_on_the_razorwire 17 years ago

The Fast Show hands down. After all those years it's still funny and topical.
I watched a few epis of Little Britain's first season a while ago and it feels dated already.

reply