Little Britain: Series 2 DVD Review:

Every now and again a comedy series hits the UK and it becomes part of the culture with the whole population quoting from their favourite sketches. 'Little Britain' is that show in the new Millennium.

Similar to hit comedy series like 'Vic Reeves' Big Night Out', 'The Harry Enfield Television Show' and 'The Fast Show' that came before it, 'Little Britain' has become a sketch show phenomenon. With instantly quotable catchphrases, outrageous characters and a certain little hint of surrealism, the show is quirky and balances on the edge of decency, just what the British people love.

After emerging from radio on to the small screen, the mammoth success of first series put great pressure on writers and creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams to push the show even further in its second series. The good news is that they succeed in taking the show to the next level. The problem with all sketch shows is that reoccurring characters can easily become repetitive and very samey but in the hands of Lucas and Walliams, even the most popular characters are still fresh.

Vicky Pollard continues to say everything isn't her fault. Marjorie Dawes continues to torment the people at Fat Fighters. Lou is still taking care of his best friend Andy. Sebastian is still fiercely loyal to the Prime Minster. Daffyd insists that he is still the only gay in the village. Emily has found another 'Lady' to do Lady things with. Dennis Waterman still wants to sing and write the theme tune to everything his agent gets him. With all your favourites returning, the formula for continued success is there.

When you add new characters into the mix like Judy and Maggie from the Women's Institute who are quite as accepting of difference cultures as they should be, Bubbles DeVere who will do anything to get out of paying her spa fees and Harvey who introduces his very close family to his fiancée Jane, you have more quotable characters for the public to fall in love with. There are also characters that appear throughout each episode, that get a big a laugh as any of the favourites.

The 'Little Britain' formula works but it can probably only work for so long. The second series keeps the formula running at full steam however. While the series does get a bit repetitive if you keep watching it and looses most of its freshness with repeat viewing but that will not bother fans. With all your favourites returning and some hilarious new characters, 'Little Britain' looks like it won't be running out of steam anytime soon.

PICTURE AND SOUND

Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack the transfer is very good.

BONUS FEATURES

Disc 1

Episode Commentaries
Matt Lucas and David Walliams provide audio commentary tracks for all of the six episodes of season two. These tracks are just as funny as what you are watching on screen, with the pair, who are joined by other members of the production team, talking about the evolution of the characters and the new characters introduced in this run of the series. These are just as fun to listen to as watching the episodes and a must listen for fans.

Disc 2

Little Documentary (43.46 mins)
Joe Cornish and Dan Mudford take you behind the scenes of the second series of 'Little Britain'. With contributions from Jamie Theakston, Vanessa Feltz, Geraldine James, and Anthony Head, Joe and Dan follow series creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams to places that you have never seen before, including some very risqué places. We hear about the origins of some of the sketches and characters as Matt, David and the rest of the cast rehearse for the new series. The documentary then goes on location as we meet both Matt and David's family, as they talk about their now very famous family members. The location shoot also reveals how the magic of special effects allowed for Judy and Maggie's reaction to the food at the summer fate. We also see how Matt became Bubbles. From then on the documentary takes you behind the scenes of the recording in front of a live studio audience at the BBC Television Centre. This is a very funny look at the recording of the series and a must watch for fans.

Comic Relief Special (22.03 mins)
With optional commentary from David Walliams and Matt Lucas, this is the special edition episode recorded for Comic Relief. The episode includes guest appearances from Robbie Williams, Elton John and George Michael.

Comic Relief Outtakes (2.53 mins)
Watch a montage of gaffs and mistakes recorded during the making of the Comic Relief special.

Deleted Scenes (49.52 mins)
With optional commentary from Matt Lucas, David Walliams and producer Geoff Posner, these are the sketches, characters and sequences that didn't quite make the second series. The trio explain why these didn't make it into the series via the commentary but these are still some very funny sketches and new characters. At almost of the length as two episodes this is a real bonus for fans.

Little Britain at the NFT (43.17 mins)
Ex-Goodie Dr Graeme Garden interviews Matt Lucas and David Walliams at the National Film Theatre. In front of a live audience Graeme Garden asks the 'Little Britain' creators about how they met, working together, 'Rock Profiles' and then onto there latest series. The pair chats about the creation and development of the characters and how the show is moving on since the first series.

The Chris Moyles Show Interview (34.47 mins)
Listen to the BBC Radio One interview with the saviour of the Breakfast airwaves as the comic pair talk about the second series of the show and get involved with Chris, Comedy Dave and the rest of the morning team.

Jonathan Ross Radio Show Interview (34.56 mins)
Listen to the pair's BBC Radio Two with the station's top rated presenter, Jonathan Ross.

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross Interview (9.56 mins)
Watch Matt and David's interview on Jonathan Ross's BBC chat show.

Richard & Judy Sketch (1.03 mins)
See Britain's premiere evening chat show hosts try and do their own version of Lou and Andy.

Daffyd Sketch (1.59 mins)
Watch the only gay in the village sketch that was considered a little too much for BBC One.

OVERALL

The BBC have done a great job with the second season of DVD. The inclusion of commentary tracks on every episode and the special Comic Relief show is excellent and the behind the scenes documentaries and the deleted scenes only add to the quality of the release. There are no yeah but, no buts about buying this DVD set if you are a fan of the series.



Jamie Kelwick