DVD Review: Little Britain: The Complete Second Series

There is an extremely fine line in politically incorrect comedy. Amazingly, Matt Lucas and David Williams — the creators and stars of Little Britain — seem to understand that line quite well, knowing when to cross it and having the right sensibility with finding humor in it. This is also extremely important in sketch comedy, when the obvious punch lines and jokes can be tiresome and trendy, whereas Little Britain can only be described as fresh and smart.

Matt and David are very talented. They perform a series of continuing story-line sketches involving some very memorable characters like the freeloading Bubbles De Vere, the mama’s boy Harvey Pincher, and the very ignorant Dafydd Thomas. Life on the British Isles has never been more enjoyable (or weird).

There aren’t many talented actors who can play the opposite sex better than Matt and David. Their performances are comfortable and effortless, enhancing the sketches of “Judy and Maggie” and “Emily and Florence” to the point of reality (although I’m stretching it in regards to “Emily and Florence”). Judy and Maggie are two elderly women who are very involved in the community, judging bake sales and cooking competitions. Although they seem friendly, Maggie — in reality — is a closet homophobe and racist, which she subconsciously shows in vomiting anything made by anyone other than a white heterosexual male or female. Although this motif gets old after a while, it’s cringe-inducing to see whom Maggie vomits on, and it’s funny how people handle being spewed upon.

They also play Emily and Florence, two transvestites who try to blend into society as two women yet can’t help but look like two men dressed up as women and constantly refer to themselves as two ladies despite only using men’s restrooms. Sexuality is a recurring theme in the series. There is also a character Sebastian Love, who is the personal aid to the British Prime Minister, played by Anthony Head. Sebastian is flamboyantly gay, and does everything and anything to please the PM, while also using every opportunity to touch him.

Article Author: Tan The Man

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