August 28, 2008–Matt Lucas and David Walliams rocketed to stardom in the UK and Australia as stars of the irreverent BBC comedy series “Little Britain.” Now, they’re bringing their unique brand of laughs to HBO in the all-new comedy series LITTLE BRITAIN USA. Written and created by Lucas and Walliams, the six-episode season kicks off SUNDAY, SEPT. 28 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), with shows debuting immediately following new episodes of the hit comedy series “Entourage.”
Set in contemporary America, LITTLE BRITAIN USA will feature familiar “Little Britain” characters in new sketches, as well as brand-new characters, all performed by Lucas and Walliams. Returning favorites include Dafydd Thomas, the self-proclaimed “only gay in the village”; Emily Howard, an awkward and obvious cross-dresser in denial; Lou and his seemingly wheelchair-bound best friend Andy; Marjorie Dawes, the insensitive leader of a chapter of the weight-loss support group FatFighters; Vicky Pollard, a motormouthed teenage delinquent with a terrible attitude; Harvey, a young adult who still craves his mother’s “bitty”; Sebastian Love, the British prime minister, who has “amorous” feelings towards his U.S. counterpart; and Carol Beer, a hospital receptionist who always follows the rules.
Among the new characters on the show are Bing Gordyn, the eighth astronaut to go to the moon; Phyllis, who is powerless to ignore suggestions from the manipulative and dangerous Mr. Doggy, her King Charles Spaniel; Mark and Tom, hyper-masculine gym buddies who will do anything for each other; Mildred, who shares wildly inappropriate secrets from her shocking past with her grandson Connor; Ellie-Grace, a frilly little girl with the mouth of a truck driver; and Sandra and George, who have been married 40 “glorious” years.
LITTLE BRITAIN USA was shot on location and in the studio in Wilmington, North Carolina and Los Angeles, with Michael Patrick Jann (HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords”; “Reno 911”) directing the North Carolina shoot and the LA location segments, and David Schwimmer (“Run Fatboy Run,” “Friends”) directing the LA studio segments, which were performed before a live audience. Celebrities making cameos in the new episodes include Sarah Chalke, Vivica A. Fox, Geraldine James, Harry Lennix, Rosie O’Donnell, Paul Rudd and Sting.
September’s episode:
Episode #1:
Debut: SUNDAY, SEPT. 28 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 30 (12:30 a.m.) and Oct. 1 (9:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.) and 3 (1:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 2 (11:00 p.m.) and 3 (8:00 p.m.)
British tourists Lou and Andy check out the amenities at a Mississippi motel; rude hospital receptionist Carol Beer slams the door on a five-year-old’s scheduled tonsillectomy; Ellie-Grace trades goodbyes with her mom before summer camp; a sheriff shows off his guns to his love; Marjorie Dawes spars with special guest Rosie O’Donnell at a FatFighters weight-loss meeting; a shocked Connor learns about his grandmother Mildred’s childhood drug habits; Bing Gordyn, the eighth astronaut to walk on moon, regales a boy-scout troop; “one crazy bitch” Phyllis strips down on orders from Mr. Doggy; George and Sandra celebrate “40 glorious years” at a restaurant; pumped-up pals Mark and Tom share some salty locker-room banter, followed by a close shave.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams met at the National Youth Theatre in 1990, where they became immediate friends and collaborators, writing and appearing in a number of TV and radio projects. In 2001 they launched “Little Britain” sketch comedy radio series for Radio 4, which was renewed for a second season on Radio 4 before becoming a TV pilot for both BBC2 and BBC3 in February 2003. In 2004, they picked up a three British Comedy Awards, a National Television Award and a BAFTA for the first TV season of “Little Britain”; they also won two BAFTAs, a “South Bank Show” Award, a Broadcast Award, two Rose D’or Awards at Montreux and two RTS nominations for the second season. In addition, “Little Britain” has received two International Emmys(r).
One of the executive producers of LITTLE BRITAIN is Simon Fuller, whose 19 Entertainment is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful music-based entertainment and is known as the creator of “American Idol,” the most valuable TV format in the world.
The executive producers of LITTLE BRITAIN USA are Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Simon Fuller, Larry Brezner, David Steinberg and Michael Patrick Jann; producer, Stephanie Cone Laing; director, Michael Patrick Jann; live studio segment director, David Schwimmer; writers, Matt Lucas and David Walliams.
