The success of BBC4's Curse Of Comedy series must surely betoken a recommission. In which case, where better place to start than behind the scenes at one of the highest-rated ensemble sitcoms of all time. Namely, Wish You Weren't Here: Fear And Loathing At Maplins Holiday Camp.
Thrown together in the name of Saturday teatime caprice are a bunch of actors and comics who can't wait to bury the hatchet...in each other's backs. Simon Cadell (David Mitchell) is tired of playing everything for laughs but simultaneously insecure about surrending his seat to David Griffin (Jack Davenport). Paul Shane (John Thompson) can't abide the preening and pomposity of Jeffrey Holland (Stephen Merchant). Ruth Madoc (Ruth Jones) sees racists at every turn. Su Pollard (Catherine Tate) dreams of a singing career and the next guest spot on Pebble Mill At One.
Meanwhile Felix Bowness (Rob Brydon) longs to shake off the mantle of professional grouch and do a love story, and Leslie Dwyer (Adrian Edmondson) fails to realise his own penchant for a tipple is being mocked in every episode. Nikki Kelly (Jennifer Ellison) wonders if her true attributes are being fully appreciated, and The Webb Twins (Nick and John Pickard) struggle to find a publisher for their new translation of The Brothers Karamazov.
All of this, and back at Television Centre David Croft (Stephen Fry) and Jimmy Perry (John Sessions) fight over residuals while Bill Cotton (Richard Wilson) looks on gnomically.
With a special guest appearance by David Walliams as Michael Grade.
4 weeks ago
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