Big Train
July 17, 2010
Ah, ‘Big Train’. Love ‘Big Train’. It’s possibly my favourite sketch show. There are plenty of others I’m totally gay-bones over, but in the end I always come back to The Train. From the comedy brains of Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews (Father Ted), this is sketch comedy at its very best.
‘Big Train’ always starts with the silliest of ideas, then plays them completely straight; and hilarity ensues. Usually. It completely avoids the curse of modern sketch shows too, by which I mean taking one idea, character, or catchphrase, and drilling it into the ground week after terrible, stupefying week.
It’s amazing the cast this show had, too; from Simon Pegg (Spaced, Shaun Of The Dead) and Mark Heap (Green Wing, Jam), to ’Missing Scene’s’ own Kevin Eldon! *Cough* Plug-Plug*Cough*
Personally, I don’t think there’s really been a British sketch show to touch it since. Oh, there have been a few good ones, but none better than the mighty ‘Big Train’. I don’t think the show was ever a huge hit, and has passed many people by; it certainly hasn’t entered the publics consciousness in the way that ‘The Fast Show’ or ‘Little Britain’ have, and that’s a terrible shame, for it deserves to be cherished. If you haven’t seen it, do your funny bone a big favour and pick up the DVD; you won’t be dissapointed.
I agree, 100%. An awesome show, I really like the table tennis at the undertakers sketch and also the “Too many cooks” one.
Yup, there are too many great ones to mention. Prince stalking his prey, Cat and Mouse pub fight, Banned from Wanking In The Office, and on, and on. Brilliant stuff.
‘Is This Some Kind of Joke’ is a masterclass in insanity.
Mark Heap is so good in it; if we do more Missing Scene, we need him in our lives.