Barking is a late-night sketch comedy show broadcast on Channel 4 in the summer of 1998. The series starred and written by David Walliams, Catherine Tate, Peter Kay, Omid Djalili, Mackenzie Crook, Marcus Brigstocke and more up-and-coming comedians, most of whom went on to successful careers.[1][2] Channel 4 announced that Barking was officially cancelled after the first series.
| Barking | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Sketch comedy |
| Directed by | Peter Boyd Maclean |
| Starring | |
| Composers | Pete Baikie Rowland Lee |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Alan Marke David Spicer |
| Editor | Mykola Pawluk |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 24 June – 29 July 1998 |
Cast
edit- Niall Ashdown
- Will Barton
- Marcus Brigstocke
- Kriston Berlevy
- Steve Brody
- Steven Burge
- Mackenzie Crook
- Omid Djalili
- Jo Enright
- Simon Greenall
- Peter Kay
- Cliff Kelly
- Dave Lamb
- Matt Lucas
- Sarah Parkinson
- Kay Stonham
- Catherine Tate
- Rhys Thomas
- Martin Trenaman
- Dan Tetsell
- Vikki Turney
- Tim Verrinder
- David Walliams
- Tony Way
- Glynne Wiley
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Peter Boyd Maclean | 24 June 1998 | |
|
This first episode features a guided tour of Buckingham Palace, a WI meeting that goes horribly wrong and introduces us to Mr. Bagshaw (Mackenzie Crook): bully, sadist, social misfit, and maths teacher. There is also a special guest appearance from an Airfix Matthew Kelly blowing up a block of flats. | ||||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Peter Boyd Maclean | 1 July 1998 | |
|
Britain's most unsuccessful actor tries to get a job as a dolphin, a team of blasphemous vicars has a crisis moving into their new parish and a desperately right-on couple host a dinner party 'ethnic style'. Dialogue from this episode, voiced by Marcus Brigstocke, was sampled in the 2000 UK hit single "I Don't Smoke" by DJ Dee Kline. | ||||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Peter Boyd Maclean | 8 July 1998 | |
|
Two old school friends have a very bad night in the pub, a society wedding arranges takes a blushing bride firmly in hand and a pair of jealous lovers set out to prove their devotion to each other is deep, true, and surprisingly violent. | ||||
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Peter Boyd Maclean | 15 July 1998 | |
|
We meet Liz, the leader of a fascist slimming group, Dr. Killthere-There, chief consultant at the Brave Little Soldier Hospital, and Steve and Alfie try to make their mute monkeychild Danson into the Heavyweight Champion of the World. | ||||
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Peter Boyd Maclean | 22 July 1998 | |
|
Roy the custody Dad makes his weekly visit to see his daughter, Mr. Bagshaw has an unfortunate gym lesson and a Nigerian therapist fails to cure his own psychosis. | ||||
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Peter Boyd Maclean | 29 July 1998 | |
|
Peter Piper has a breakdown, a Hi-de-Hi! star becomes a suspect in a series of serious crimes and a camping trip turns into a night of the living Dansons. | ||||
Reception
editDespite the impressive array of future successful comedy stars, the show was not a ratings hit. In the Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy (1998), critic Mark Lewisohn said, "the ideas with good potential were buried under a mountain of mediocrity... the show's clash of styles, pacing and mood worked heavily against them".[5] However, he cited Marcus Brigstocke's psychotic airline pilot and David Walliams's insane royal watcher as standout characters.[3]
Brian Donaldson of The List described the show as "something of a mixed bag" and noted that "there's a healthy amount of decent moments". He concluded, "Barking was never as mad as it thought it was and the show's bite was largely toothless".[6]
References
edit- ^ Rees, Jasper (31 January 2004). "One to watch". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
She also popped up in other people's sketch shows and even her own, Barking, with Peter Kay and Mackenzie Crook on Channel 4.
- ^ Gilbert, Gerard (23 March 2004). "Catherine Tate: Multiple personality". The Independent. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
It was due to be part of her Channel 4 sketch show, Barking, but the producers got cold feet.
- ^ a b Bennett, Steve (12 September 2011). "Comedy rarity to be released on DVD : News 2011 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Barking". The Velvet Onion. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ Mark Lewisohn, Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy (1998) ISBN 0-563-36977-9
- ^ Donaldson, Brian. "Barking - DVD review". list.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.