We often celebrate great literature, we celebrate comedy and we celebrate serious acting – usually in different “compartments”. But we shouldn’t – for there are times when all three can be brought together in a fantastic seamless creativity – and who can really draw the line accurately between the three different skills?
I know I can’t – which is why I appreciate the Fast Show so much. For me, the Fast Show brings comedy, incredibly creative writing and seriously excellent acting together in its unforgettable series of sketches – many of which are truly brilliant and will most certainly stand the artistic test of time.
The Fast Show is the creation of Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. The duo first met at university and worked together for years with Harry Enfield.
The pair then felt inspired to take a new approach to comedy sketch shows, bringing characters on long enough to establish a situation, very briefly – and to then usually to say a catchphrase before cutting it to a quick conclusion and moving onto the next sketch.
The results were superb and the show was one of the BBC’s most popular comedies of the 90s, gradually building popularity as more and more people made their way to the BBC2 broadcast.
The show ran from 94-97, with a one-off show in 2000 and a few spin-offs of the various well-known characters. Ted and Ralph took a final walk into the sunset together, Swiss Toni sold his last car and the show was finished.
But now it’s back and it’s online only. The Fast show 2011 is being shown on the Foster’s lager website and its brilliance is unblemished. It’s truly great news for those of us who think so highly of it.
And those that don’t – or prefer something zanier still – can enjoy Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer’s “afternoon delights” sketches on the same website; simply nuts!