Amazon.co.uk Review
Built up from sketch ideas rejected when they were working on
Harry Enfield and Chums, Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson conceived
The Fast Show as a lean, protein-packed comedy package. The idea was to cut the essence of sketches and characters without undue build-up--hence the high number of catchphrases the show yielded. "Suits you, sir", "Brilliant!", "You ain't seen me, right?" and even "Chris Waddle" were all quickly established in 1994's opening series, whose highlights are on this video. Despite its relentless verbal riffing, slapstick and gleeful use of four-letter words, such as Whitehouse's "Arse!"-grunting sidekick to Coughing Bob Fleming, there's a very knowing subtlety about
The Fast Show and a freshness to the subject matter. "Channel Neus", the skit on the TV station of indeterminate foreign origin is very cleverly turned, as is Whitehouse's incomprehensible pre-war comedian Arthur "Where's me washboard?" Atkins, while the sketch in which old man Unlucky Alf walks up a road and falls down a hole is, although it may not appear so on paper, a mini-comedy masterclass. Then, there's the perverse pathos of young landowner Ralph's infatuation for his elderly gardener, Ted. This pair are the least "Fast", yet possibly best characters on the show. --
David Stubbs
Synopsis
Specially selected clips from the first series of this TV comedy series.
