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The Fast Show – back and fast-forwarding

December 28, 2011 By Hayden Bell

If you’ve been watching the all-new Fast Show 2011 at Fosters.co.uk, you’ll already know that the show is just as good in its reincarnated version –as it ever was in its original form.

The reason for this, of course, is that it’s largely the same. But make no mistake, this is no criticism. The show’s original line-up of the characters that were to become household names in the UK needs no changes. All they need is new situations to find themselves in  – and that’s exactly what creators Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse have sagely decided to do.

Hitherto, the pair were reluctant to bring the show back, save for a one off back in 2000, in which Johnny Depp famously starred, and a few spin-off series or shows, as with Ralph and Ted and the legendary car dealer Swiss Toni.

If you haven’t seen these, by the way, then there are loads of Fast Show and its spin-offs’ funny videos available to view on YouTube.

In fact, the show’s main actors were quick to pay homage to the importance of YouTube in bringing back the show as so many had viewed the old stuff on that website.

It was also fitting, then, that the 2011 version should be online only at Fosters’ website. Fosters has really set itself up as a major sponsors of comedy in the UK – and a fine thing that is too, as it brought the Fast Show back – along with comedy duo Vic Reeves and Bb Mortimer, who most people seem to either love or hate.

So the Fast Show is back and it’s very much on fast-forward with its new-style punchy delivery of short comedy clips as befits the age of five second attention spans, YouTube video clips and doing six things at one time on the web.

Despite this bold move, it’s exceedingly good – so don’t miss it!

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Fast is back and very good

December 14, 2011 By admin

Great news; The Fast Show’s online only version for 2011 and onwards is great and all our favourite characters are back. There was a bit of a worry that the creators might mess around a little bit with the format, but they haven’t so it’s a relief for aficionados.

Some of the other comedies which drew their inspiration from The Fast Show like “the Catherine Tate show” or “Little Britain” were good in their own way, but never quite reached the same giddy comedy heights somehow. So it’s great to see it back.

You need to go to fosters.co.uk to have a look at the re-launched show. You can watch the episodes any time – so they’re great to dip in and out of when you have a moment.

My favourite ever character has to be the legendary Bob Fleming with his ever-present tickly throat. Bob, who presents his show on country pursuits called “Country Matters” is a real trooper. For Bob, the show must go on – despite the ever present frog in his throat.

Poor old Bob isn’t aware that his constant coughing is a problem for the producer. In the original series, when offered some cough medicine he says: ‘Has it been that noticeable?’ Then he has a laugh to himself, saying, ‘cough medicine? What will they think of next!?’

After several unsuccessful attempts due to his coughing and spluttering, Mr Fleming manages to get some of the syrup down but it has the terrible side effect of giving Wes Country Bob awful wind which becomes very apparent during the show’s live transmission.

Fosters are also bringing us another UK comedy legend in the shape of  Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

Vic and Bob’s afternoon delights include an interview with “charity Peter”, a charity box statue child who is having difficulty finding work but can be quick to take offence. Peter’s best job, he reckoned, was being an inflatable outside a car dealership!

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Want to see great comedy? Look online!

December 4, 2011 By Hayden Bell

Almost two decades on from making its name on British TV, The Fast Show is back with fresh material for a new online-only series hosted on the Foster’s Funny website.

The Fast show became popular in the 1990s through the BBC and is well-known for its vast range of catchphrases and characters, ranging from the rambling old man Rowley Birkin QC to the enthusiastic Brilliant Kid. Some of the characters even went on to star in their own spin-off programmes, notably Ted and Ralph.

The show ran for three series from 1994 to 1997, with a three-part Last Fast Show Ever in 2000, starring Hollywood star Johnny Depp. After that series, the show’s stars went their own way and that appeared to be that for The Fast Show. That was until beer company Foster’s came forward with an offer the show’s creators Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse couldn’t refuse.

Like Alan Partridge’s Mid Morning Matters and Vic & Bob’s Afternoon Delights before them, Higson and Whitehouse accepted an invitation from Foster’s to make a comeback on the World Wide Web. They had no hesitation and quickly assembled the old team.

Arabella Weir, Simon Day, Caroline Aherne and John Thomson, not forgetting Higson and Whitehouse, are all back and have slipped back into their numerous roles as if they have never been away. The sketches featuring Rowley Birkin QC and Swiss Toni, in particular, are must-sees.

The first episode of the new web-based series hit computer screens on November 10 and was the first of 12 planned episodes, each one approximately eight minutes long. These brand new funny videos are available now on the Foster’s website and YouTube.

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The Fast Show’s internet comeback

November 25, 2011 By Hayden Bell

When The Fast show left our television screens in 2000, it looked as if that was that for the comedy sketch show which came to prominence on the BBC in the mid-1990s.

Now, over a decade on, the show is back for a 12-episode online series, with fresh material written by creators Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. Each episode of the new series will last approximately eight minutes.

The show may have moved with the times in joining the ever-growing internet revolution, but it has stuck with the same core principles which made it so popular during the 90s. Familiar characters such as Ted and Ralph, Ron Manager and Swiss Toni are back and with them come the familiar catchphrases which were mimicked up and down the country all those years ago. “Suit you, sir!”

The Fast Show reinvented sketch comedy with its unique style – sometimes fitting twenty-seven sketches into a thirty minute episode. The show’s innovative style would later influence comedy classics like The Catherine Tate Show and Little Britain.

The first couple of online episodes suggest The Fast show 2011 hasn’t lost any of the charm which made the show an instant hit when it appeared on the comedy scene in 1994. Mark Williams is conspicuous by his absence, but the rest of the cast is present and on top form, lead by the brilliant Whitehouse. Rowley Birkin QC, the Chanel 9 team and Professor Denzil Dexter all feature and bring back nostalgic memories from the past.

It will be tough for The Fast Show to hit the heights of the 90s, but with an excellent cast of actors and equally adept writers, the show has every chance.

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