Little Britain USA

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News Archive

26/07/2009 -  End of the road but 'Specials' to continue

It has been a British comedy favourite for the past six years, but David Walliams has announced that there are to be no future series of Little Britain. Speaking on Dale Winton's Radio 2 show, David Walliams said that he and co-star Matt Lucas have no plans for a new series of the show - because they don't want fans to get sick of them. "If the show comes back year in year out it's not special any more," Walliams said. But fans of the show need not start mourning just yet, as Walliams added that they were still keen to do one-off special episodes of the show. 

29/05/2009 - Matt will do Marjorie sketch on Fern Britton-style gastric band

Matt Lucas and David Walliams are giving one of their most famous characters a makeover - poking fun at Fern Britton. Fat Fighters leader Marjorie Dawes will be seen in the next series two-and-a-half stone lighter after having gastric band surgery. In a dig at This Morning star Fern, Marjorie initially refuses to come clean about the operation. Instead she insists her new frame is the result of "healthy eating, cycling and dust", a reference to her famous catchphrase. Source.

05/05/2009 - New info on the next series...

Walliams says that a second series of Little Britain USA is in the works, saying: "We do have some new ideas for characters - a mum feeding her son to make him the fattest boy in America, a psycho American girlfriend, but without the bunnies, a woman who has everything Disney-themed, and some annoying Scottish air hostesses."

16/02/2009 - 'Little Britain USA' wins award

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) tonight announced winners of its Excellence in 2008 Production Design Awards in nine categories of film, television, commercials and music videos during black-tie ceremonies at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Little Britain USA (episode 4) won the 'Multi-Camera Television Series' award. Source.

13/02/2009 - Little Britain USA (Series 2) is on way

Matt recently wrote on the blog: "Well, this week David and I began writing season 2 of Little Britain USA. We've done some Lou & Andy sketches, and a couple of Ellie-Grace & Mom sketches (with a different spin) and today we tried writing some new characters. It's very early days, though. Typically we write for five or six months – breaking every six weeks or so to look at what we have, read the sketches out, discuss what is making us laugh, what needs rewrites and what is going to bite the dust. It's a fun process but it's also ultimately about grafting – starting at ten, five days a week and generating as much as we can."

21/01/2009 - DVD Review

Little Britain took our overseas cousin by storm a few years back when comedians Matt Lucas and David Walliams introduced an arsenal of insane (but memorable) characters. The duo cleverly play each member of this group of misfits with a wide array of different hair pieces, fake teeth, fat suits, fake noses, accents and costumes.
Little Britain USA tries to replicate the show for HBO’s American audience. While not a huge success or as fantastic as its BBC counterpart, this series is a must-have for every Little Britain fan, but also fun for viewers who just don’t "get" British humour. Full review...

10/01/2009 - 'Little Britain USA' renewed but return to Wilmington uncertain

According to star and co-creator Matt Lucas “Little Britain USA” will be back for a second season on HBO. But whether the new season will be filmed in Wilmington is still unclear. “If it were up to me, I’d love to be back, “Lucas said Thursday at the television critics winter press tour in Los Angeles.
Lucas said he and co-creator/co-star David Walliams would begin writing scripts in a few weeks and planned to wrap filming of the second season by fall. Full story...

30/12/2008 - Johnny Depp? He'll have to audition like everyone else

Shooting Stars legend Matt Lucas told yesterday how he wants to invite Hollywood idol Johnny Depp on to Little Britain - but joked: “He’ll have to audition like everyone else!” The tubby comic — who stars alongside Depp in Tim Burton’s film version of Alice in Wonderland — added: “Johnny is very friendly and a good laugh.” Matt said his new pal Anchorman star Will Ferrell is also in line for a possible guest appearance on the new series of Little Britain USA. Full story...

03/12/2008 - Beeb recommissions Little Britain USA

Despite its controversial brand of humour, the series was successful in the states with USA Today calling the creators, Matt Lucas and David Walliams 'marvelously talented.'
Mark Hurry, legal and commercial director at PPC Enterprises said: "Little Britain USA has been a huge hit and has added to the value of what is already a fantastic brand.
"Little Britain has gone truly global and as well as renewing licensing agreements with existing partners, we expect to be announcing new deals across the board in the near future." Full story...

28/11/2008 - Little Britain USA set for return

Little Britain USA is to return for a second series, despite claims Americans failed to get the jokes and found it too rude. Numerous headlines claimed Americans were shocked by the show, but the pair deny that it caused any controversy. "We're getting a second series. It was very successful on HBO, it got good viewing figures, great reviews, everyone was really pleased," David Walliams added. "We're delighted, we're very proud of it." But they do admit that they pushed taste limits. "It has some of our most outrageous things in it," said Walliams. "Tom and Mark those bodybuilders with the big muscles and their small... it's not for everybody but we thought it was funny. "We're always just trying to entertain people, not offend them, and I think if it's not your cup of tea, don't watch it." Full story...

27/11/2008 - Lucas, Walliams defend 'Little Britain USA'

Matt Lucas and David Walliams said British reports that the show received a mixed response from American TV critics were not accurate. "I think it's gone well," Lucas told GMTV. "We're doing another series for HBO in America next year, which is great... people have responded really well to the show out there. "The viewing figures went up every week. And most of the reviews were great." Walliams added: "We got one bad review - and then the British papers - they went, 'They've had terrible reviews!' Well, we had one!"

23/11/2008 - Now complaints flood in over 'obnoxious' Little Britain USA

Little Britain USA is at the centre of a taste and decency row after 400 people lodged complaints about the series. The BBC comedy sketch show, starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, featured apparent full-frontal male nudity and sexual innuendo from one of the comedians dressed as a child.
TV watchdog Mediawatch described the programme as in ‘poor taste’ and called for a public consultation regarding decency on the BBC. Many of the complaints are believed to have been about the Gym Buddies, two American bodybuilders who brag about their love lives but hint that they are actually homosexual. Full story...

'Mark and Tom' now most viewed clip on YouTube

With over 500,000 views, our upload is now the most viewed clip on YouTube for LBUSA!

18/11/2008 - Little Britain USA triumph

Matt Lucas and David Walliams are celebrating as their controversial comedy Little Britain USA has been recommissioned. The cheeky series was not universally well-received across the pond - but thankfully that hasn't affected its future. A source told Closer magazine: “Matt and David are ecstatic as they really enjoyed making it. "It’s going to be bigger and better and there are plenty of new characters in the pipeline!” Source.

Little Britain USA heading to New Zealand

The new series starts on Friday November 28 at 9.30pm on TV2. Source.

11/11/2008 - Little Britain USA DVD

The series may be over but now you can catch the entire series plus extra footage on DVD which will be released on November 24 2008 (UK).

Special features include:

The Making of Little Britain USA
Audio Commentary by Matt Lucas and David Walliams on all six episodes
Character Playlist
Deleted Scenes
Bloopers

05/11/2008 - Tearaway Vicky Pollard completely Speechless

The mouthy teenage chav comes close to killing herself - after jumping off a roof as part of a dare. The track-suited slapper, played by Matt Lucas, is forced to communicate using a Stephen Hawking-style speech box - which she controls with her eyes - in the Little Britain USA sketch. Matt’s comic partner David Walliams plays a doctor who breaks the bad news about Vicky’s accident to her brat camp drill instructor, saying: “She’s in a bad way. “She’ll have to learn how to walk again. And she’s lost the power of speech.” Source.

20/10/2008 - Sting gets a smacker on the lips from David Walliams

Rock star Sting made a memorable appearance in Little Britain last night when he shared a passionate kiss with David Walliams. The 57-year-old puckered up during a sketch in the US version of the popular BBC show.
Last month Walliams discussed the encounter, joking that the rocker seemed more than happy to try out the steamy tongue tussle. Full story...

14/10/2008 - Sting to appear in Episode #4

It's confirmed! Emily Howard performs an impromptu duet of "Fields of Gold" with Sting during episode #4.

10/10/2008 - Matt and David on 'The Late Show with Craig Ferguson'

Matt and David are on the American chat show tonight. Source.

Fans unhappy with 'Little Britain USA' edit

Fans have claimed that they are disappointed with the edited version of Little Britain USA shown on the BBC. Viewers expressed annoyance that scenes were cut and censored from the opening episode of David Walliams and Matt Lucas's sketch show. One fan told DS: "Most UK Little Britain USA viewers have watched the US HBO version online before it was broadcast this week. "They were mortified when it turned out that censor changes have been made to the BBC version. Including the axing of a highly anticipated scene. Full story...

06/10/2008 - Little Britain USA is not big, funny or clever

"It’s the last sketch of Little Britain USA and Bubbles de Vere displays the kind of sharp observation totally lacking in the “comedy” up until then. “I think it’s very important to know when to stop,” Bubbles confesses, having gambled – and lost – her dress, wig, and ruby-encrusted “panties”, given her by Omar Sharif, on the roulette table." Full review...

05/10/2008 - Little Britain USA pulls in five-million viewers

BBC ONE on Friday night was the premier of Little Britain USA which pulled in over five million viewers reports Mirror.co.uk

News of the World tell Matt and David: “Hey buddy, you suck!”

Probably the worst review I have come across: “Hey buddy, you suck!” A real shame. Because it really needed saying. The upshot being? Unless Vicky Pollard At Brat Camp can pull them out of the mire we can quickly add Walliams and Lucas to that long list of British success stories in America. Walliams and Lucas’ barnstorming shift on Jonathan Ross a week ago had me believing they were comedy geniuses again. Impressive momentum. Stopped dead in its tracks the moment that frickin’ canned laughter onslaught kicked in. Full story...

03/10/2008 - Little Britain USA premiers tonight (BBC)

The wait is over! Tune into BBC ONE at 9.30pm for the premier of Little Britain USA. Alternatively, watch here.

Everything you need to know about... Little Britain USA

Not content with the extraordinary domestic success of Little Britain on the BBC, those gossip-page darlings David Walliams and Matt Lucas have decided to try their luck stateside. The six-part series was promptly picked up by US production company HBO; it begins tonight on BBC1 at 9.30pm. Press coverage surrounding the first episode, which aired in America on Sunday night, was promisingly intense and the show's creators have come up with a host of new characters to mark the occasion. Quite how the Yanks would take to a vomiting, cross-dressing granny or the incoherent prattlings of a shell-suited chav has been the subject of lengthy debate. Full story...

28/09/2008 - Little Britain USA premiers tonight (HBO)

Little Britain USA will be released to the public tonight on HBO and BBC ONE on October 3rd.

British comedians invade Wilmington for 'Little Britain USA'

Ask British comedian David Walliams about the perks of filming the new HBO series "Little Britain USA" in Wilmington, and he'll mention the hospitable local crews, the region's ability to stand in for many different locales, and the general friendliness and respect of local residents.
Pose the same question to his co-star, Matt Lucas, and the answer is a bit more precise. "Kohl's frozen custard. It was an enormous factor in filming," Lucas said. The two actors talked with the Star-News earlier this summer about their new sketch comedy show, premiering tonight on HBO. Full story...

27/09/2008 - Little Britain USA is 'too crude'

US television critics have warned viewers of the "crude" humour in Matt Lucas and David Walliams' stateside sketch show, Little Britain USA. Others were more positive about the programme, with USA Today critic Robert Bianco praising the "speed, skill and good humour" of its stars and the the "cheeky, modern effrontery" of the characters. Full story...

'Crude' Little Britain gets mixed reviews days before the series launches Stateside

It seems that Matt Lucas and David Walliams's unique sense of humour may have been somewhat lost in translation. The US version of Little Britain was mauled by one critic, reviewer Brian Lowry, who said: ‘Little Britain USA is mostly just crude, revelling in mock condescension towards American stereotypes.' Full story...

Little Britain stars wait to win their US stripes

For five years Little Britain has been amusing and revolting the British public. Tomorrow evening Matt Lucas and David Walliams will learn what the American market makes of their scatological humour. Full story...

25/09/2008 - MBC PR and Little Britain

"In an item in Tuesday's 'Pandora', 'Strange but is it true? The mysterious boycott of Little Britain', we quoted a New York radio presenter who said that he thought that the claimed West Hollywood Gay Lesbian Alliance protests about Little Britain's series for the USA were most likely planted by someone's publicist to generate publicity... ' We accept that MBC PR, publicists for Little Britain, did not do this. We also accept that 'Little Britain's new US show is not the 'most politically incorrect , offensive and obnoxious material ever seen in this country' and is suitable for broadcast. We apologise to all concerned." Source.

22/09/2008 - Sting in Little Britain USA gay kiss

Matt Lucas and David Walliams have vowed to shock America with the US version of Little Britain, revealing camped-up Walliams snogs singer Sting four times in the series. Full story... Source 2.

19/09/2008 - Facebook fanpage

If you have been a fan of Little Britain USA on Facebook, you may have noticed it has changed ownership. Unfortunatly I no longer run the fanpage for Little Britain USA after receiving this letter today from someone that works for HBO:

"We have loved seeing your Facebook page and the many fans you have attracted. Having kept an eye on Facebook for some time we have decided it is time for Little Britain USA to have an official presence within the Facebook community. We are planning on integrating your page in to our official page which will include our original content, official and licensed trademarks, special offers and features that are developed specifically for our fans. Facebook is going to transfer ownership of your page on to our official page."

BBC1 trailer now running

The first showing of the trailer for the new series is now being rolled out between programmes on BBC ONE.

The British Invasion

Until the premier of Little Britain USA, you can check out Matt and David's Fame-O-Metre...

18/09/2008 - Confirmation date/time for the new series

Little Britain USA has been scheduled here in the UK almost immediately after the HBO broadcast.

Channel: BBC 1
Date: Friday 3rd October 2008
Time: 21:30 to 22:00

Each of the episodes go out in the 9:30pm slot in BBC1 on subsequent Fridays.

O'Donnell praises 'Little Britain USA'

In a brief posting on her website, Rosie O'Donnell said: "This is the funniest show. Ever. Fair warning - a few curses. I am in the third sketch."

Little Britain heads stateside

Little Britain USA launched in an understated Hollywood boutique last night, and it went down a storm.
It was a small gathering made up mainly of superfans, bloggers and industry types looking for a free beer but the 80-strong crowd seemed to warm to David Walliams and Matt Lucas's transatlantic take on their own humour last night.
HBO are clearly launching the show with some trepidation but this being a British production, they'd gone lateral on their thinking for the party.
The launch was held at the Original Penguin Store on Melrose Avenue, in Hollywood. I was expecting a library of Penguin Classics but it's a clothes shop. Nice clothes too. One of the marketing girls explained to me that "Little Britain was the essence of Penguin". Or it may have been the other way around. Whatever, this was low-key in the extreme.
The screening itself was held in the back yard, where at 7pm the caterers were still putting the toppings on the canapés and flyers were being laid out on the tables. Full story...

15/09/2008 - Exclusive Screening of Little Britain USA

An email has been sent to people that have signed up to the mailing list for HBO:

"The wonderful folks at HBO wanted to have some super fans coming to this cool event they are putting on for the launch of the show in the US. They are hosting a screening party this Wednesday Sept. 17th in LA at the Original Penguin Store on Melrose Avenue."

14/09/2008 - Gay and Fatty jokes upset the Yanks

Matt Lucas and David Walliams caused uproar among “pink” protest groups with a trailer featuring full-frontal nude shots in a men’s changing room. In the sketch, the comedy duo – made up to look like burly body-builders – simulate sex acts while chiding a wimpish onlooker for “being a fag”.
And in another skit, actress and chat host Rosie O’Donnell is the butt of cruel lesbian and obesity jibes as the celebrity speaker at a spoof Weight Watchers’ meeting. Openly gay Rosie was happy to be the first special guest on Little Britain USA, which launches on HBO on September 28.
But the show, which will also be broadcast on the BBC this autumn, is already being condemned by humourless American gay rights groups. Despite the fact that Matt Lucas is openly gay, they claim the series is “grossly insulting” and are demanding the cable giant pulls the plug on such sketches. Full story...

11/09/2008 - On holiday with 'Little Britain USA'

Matt Lucas and David Walliams discussed the concept of "world famous" fudge during a break from filming in this coastal city. Seems the stars of "Little Britain USA," an offshoot of their hit British TV series "Little Britain," had, before shooting started, spent some time soaking up Americana, in Branson, Mo. It was there that the duo attended one of those cleaner-than-the-freshly-driven-snow family shows the town is somewhat famous for, where the audience was told to traipse out to the refreshment stand and try their "world famous fudge."
This got Walliams thinking. "Well," he said, affecting one of those Middle American accents that made him sound as if he were talking through his sinuses, "I haven't heard of it in England. I'm not quite sure it's world famous. No fudge is world famous."
"You don't travel for fudge," chimed in Lucas. Walliams, still in American mode: "There's some wonderful fudge in Branson, Mo. We should go there." They snorted and giggled gleefully. Free-form absurdity is the Lucas-Walliams way of looking at the world. It's why HBO is taking a flier on a sketch- and character-driven series set to debut Sept. 28 that, despite its enormous fame in England, is barely known in this country, unless you've been up late watching BBC America or stumbled upon some of the bits on YouTube. Full story...

05/09/2008 - Little Britain USA to be shown on BBC ONE this Autumn

"Little Britain USA is a show we made for HBO; however, we always had in mind our British audience and hope everyone enjoys the new characters as much as they do the familiar ones," said executive producer Simon Fuller. "Matt Lucas and David Walliams are two of Britain's most talented comedy writers and performers and I am happy to continue Little Britain's special relationship with the BBC.

BBC says, 'I'll have that one'

Lucas and Walliams made Little Britain USA for US cable network HBO, but the BBC1 controller, Jay Hunt, said she jumped at the chance to sign it. Full story...

BBC Press Release

The BBC have issued a press release about the new series.

24/07/2008 - David Walliams and Matt Lucas beef up this act for US show

It looks like David and Matt have really beefed up their act for their shocking new US show. Full story...

23/07/2008 - Introducing Little Britain's new crop of outrageous characters

David Walliams and Matt Lucas have unveiled a host of new characters in a bid to conquer America.
First off you have David and Matt as American jocks Tom and Mark who frolicked naked in the gym while boasting about their latest female conquests. But the tanned and buff double act have, er, surprise packages in store which will no doubt shock viewers... Source. More info...

16/07/2008 - How they met the guest stars...

Several notable guest stars will be seen on HBO's Little Britain. Commenting on how they got them on the show, Lucas deadpanned, "We blackmail them." Lucas then explained, "Well, we met Rosie O'Donnell, and she told us that when she was in Fiddler on the Roof, she had given Little Britain DVDs to all of her colleagues. And we met Sting, bizarrely, on a plane, and we ended up doing a sketch with him." Full story...

12/07/2008 - Little Britain USA Release Date Announced

The new series premieres on September 28 2008 (HBO) and will follow soon after on BBC2.

"Get ready America. Hit BBC television show "Little Britain" is bringing its outrageous satirical humour to HBO in September, drawing on stars such as David Schwimmer and Rosie O'Donnell to lure U.S. audiences.
The show, a cultural phenomenon in Britain, is the latest comedy import to the U.S. after programs like "The Office," which airs on the NBC network, have made their mark in the U.S." Full story...

Little Britain's Rosie future

Rosie O'Donnell is to make a guest appearance in the American version of Little Britain.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams poke fun at the talk show host’s sexuality and well-publicised weight problems in the scene, set at the Fat Fighters club. Full story...

11/07/2008 - Who is to play the President of America?

The Answer to that is - Harry Lennix.

Paul Rudd plays the president of France. In LBUSA, Sebastian has become the Prime Minister of England and has transferred his affections to an Obama-type president played by Harry Lennix. When Sebastian suspects that the US President is having an affair with the French Prime Minister, he becomes increasingly jealous despite the assurances nothing is going on between the two. Or is there?

14/06/2008 - Paul Rudd as French PM

Paul Rudd, as the French prime minister, meeting with an actor playing President Obama and other LB castmember and cocreator David Walliams. Paulie's French accent was awful, but we have a feeling it was meant to be. P.R. kept goofing off between takes, while crew members kept coming up to him for photos with the Clueless cutie. Yeah, he's been in just about every Judd Apatow flick, but Ruddie's role in that teen rom-com is our fave, fer sure. Full story...

06/06/2008 - Schwimmer directing 'Little Britain'

David Schwimmer is directing the Los Angeles studio segments of "Little Britain USA," HBO's six-episode transplant of the BBC sketch comedy series "Little Britain."

The Schwimmer-directed segments have been done before a live audience and have included guest stars Rosie O'Donnell and Sting. Schwimmer previously helmed episodes of "Friends" and made his feature directing debut on the 2007 comedy "Run Fatboy Run." HBO debuts the series in fall. View source.

Live Taping Info

Another live recording of the show commences tomorrow (7th June) from 7.00pm. Full story...

05/06/2008 - Release date: September?

A fan heard the show may be broadcast this September on channel HBO and BBC soon after. Of course, release dates can easily change.

Schwimmer for President?

A member of the audience who watched the live taping on June 3rd says:

"The recording lasted for more than five hours, with a long time between each take. The time was filled with the scenes that were pre-recorded, when they ran out of those, old episodes were shown. There has been no word on who will play the President yet, but it might be David Schwimmer who is doing a bit more than just directing some episodes".

Little Brit has Sting in the tale

Sting s not exactly known for his sense of humour – but the Police legend has a cameo role in Little Britain USA. The singer has been spotted filming in Los Angeles. An insider said: “He was acting and singing as well as playing a strange stringed instrument which looked like a sitar crossed with a hand-held harp.” Full story...

31/05/2008 - New Special Guests announced for LBUSA

Recording for the series has not finished just yet! A lot of scenes are being re-recorded. New guest stars include; Rachael Harris, Bob Stephenson and Sting (who has been seen acting and singing). Friends star David Schwimmer is now directing the entire series.

22/05/2008 - Live Taping of Little Britain USA

Live taping of Little Britain USA in Los Angeles commences Friday 23rd May between 6.15pm and 11.00pm.

21/05/2008 - Is America ready for this?

As filming for Little Britain continues, Matt Lucas has pulled out his naked fat suit for the U.S. version of the hit comedy show. Yesterday the star looked like a creature that just escaped from the blue lagoon when he slipped into a fat naked woman's costume equipped with seaweed, cellulite and green nails.
Naked and bald and wearing only a pair of flip flops Matt, 34, stepped out into the Miami sunshine as if he was aiming for a tan. The hideous costume made the comedian appear to be stark naked with his breast sagging. With no underwear he shocked the American public as he walked through a Miami beach car park. Full story and photos... Source 2... Source 3...

09/05/2008 - 'Britain USA' producer says comedy is universal

When Little Britain creators decided to bring the cult BBC sketch comedy series across the pond, they didn't go to New York or L.A. They came to Wilmington. The American version, Little Britain USA, wrapped Friday after shooting six episodes here.

"Wilmington was a really good choice not only because they have very competent, professional crews, but also it has totally different looks in different parts of the city," said producer Larry Brezner during a break on location off River Road. "Each (sketch) is a totally different look and each is supposed to look like a totally different part of the country, and Wilmington offers (that) like no other city."

Like its U.K. counterpart, Little Britain USA will explore the countryside, the characters who make up the everyday non-urbanite. But instead of just British characters, this show, created for HBO, also will include some Yanks.

Each show is made up of several short comedy sketches. Scenes filmed here last month will be edited together in Los Angeles. There they will be seen by a live audience to produce a real laugh track. The actors also will do some live sketches in front of the audience. Then, it's off to HBO. Brezner said the series will debut on the cable channel this fall, probably following the popular Sunday night comedy Entourage. Full story...

01/05/2008 - Oops... Little Brit’s done it again

We’ve got our mitts on top-secret scripts for the new US version of the show. And they include hilarious scenes between wannabe child star Ellie Grace and her pushy mom, played by David Walliams – who bear a striking resemblance to Britney and her mother Lynne before they hit the big time.

David camps it up as Madonna’s gay PA, who will, ahem, bend over backwards to meet her diva demands. In one scene taking a pop at her controversial adoption of a Malawi orphan, he tells an aide: “Sometimes during the afternoon Madonna may wish to adopt a black baby, so if you can arrange for a box of black babies to be flown in daily at 3pm... ”

Other new characters include an obsessive compulsive recluse based on Howard Hughes and a wholesome all-American couple with a shocking secret life.

Everyone’s favourite aide Sebastian is back – as the British PM who is desperate to get into the US president’s pants. Marjorie Dawes unleashes hell on overweight American laydees, Vicky Pollard is in Brat Camp and Daffyd is now the only gay on the university campus – where he tells anyone who will listen: “I can’t rock climb, because I’m a gay, you see.” And Lou takes wheelchair faker Andy to see a preacher in a bid to “cure” him. View source

30/04/2008 - Prime Minister back in Little Britain?

He played Little Britain’s Prime Minister, somewhat oblivious to the advances of his clingy assistant Sebastian. And actor Anthony Head has hinted he’ll be back alongside David Walliams once more as an American man of power. Anthony said: “They're writing Little America for HBO at the moment with a character like the Prime Minister I played along the lines of a US Senator. Whether or not it's me..." Full story...

30/04/2008 - Emily arrested by New York cop Matt Lucas

Little Britain star David Walliams feels the strong arm of the law, as transvestite Emily Howard is 'arrested'. David's cross-dressing character - famous for her 'I'm a laydee' catchphrase - is manhandled by his sidekick Matt Lucas, and a hunky US cop for shoplifting in new pictures from the US version of the show.

The award-winning comedy duo are introducing a number of new characters in addition to keeping the old favourites. Walliams also unleashed a new middle-aged Barbara Woodhouse-style dog trainer character. Last week the pair revealed Lucas' American schoolgirl Ellie Grace and Walliams as her mother.

Walliams and Lucas started filming in North Carolina last month and aer apparently looking for an American film star to play the role of a comedy US president. Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney is rumoured to be their first choice. Full story...

More cast added to the lineup...

According to this source, two new members have been added to play a part in the show:

Jenique Bennett - Couple at restaurant (1 episode)
Melissa Ponzio - Barbara (1 episode)

25/04/2008 - EXCLUSIVE! Pics of Little Britain USA

Matt and David are playing with their trannie set again – this time filming the US version of the show. The comedy duo slipped into frocks for new characters including chubby schoolgirl Ellie Grace – played by Matt. David dons a denim jacket and flowery skirt as Ellie’s “mom” in the new series.
The pair were spotted on location at a zoo and Matt jumped on a yellow school bus with child extras for one scene.
They also shot sketches with UK favourites Lou and Andy in Wilmington, North Carolina. But it was not clear whether they are bringing back rubbish transvestite Emily. Full story and pics...

Walliams and Lucas set to take US by storm

Watch out America - here comes Little Britain. David and Matt are saddling up for their spin-off show Little Britain USA. The pair headed off to Wilmington, North Carolina, to film the series which is set to be a massive hit here and across the pond.

A US TV insider said: "People were cracking up on set. They are hilariously different." Lucas, 34, plays big baby Ellie Grace and Walliams, 36, dresses up as another laaaady - Ellie's mom. Poor Ellie gets packed off to the American girl scouts in the show, to be shown on BBC1 later this year. Walliams obviously relished his new stateside role, checking his nail varnish between takes. View source.

Sebastian, Pollard & Daffyd are back!

New characters include schoolgirl Ellie Grace which sees Lucas slip into another dress along with Walliams who plays her mum. As usual, the pair appear to have raided bargain bins for their latest costumes with the former wearing pink flowery dress and the latter wearing a denim jacket and floral skirt ensemble. Shot partially on a typical American yellow schoolbus, Walliams sports a blonde bobbed wig while Lucas wears schoolgirl bunches.

While other new characters have yet to be revealed, die-hard fans of the past three series will not be disappointed by the fourth. They can expect to see the return of Dafydd "only gay in the village" Thomas, camp Prime Minister's aide Sebastian Love and Asbo teen Vicky Pollard. Full story...

08/04/2008 - New HBO series will film in Port City

"According to the BBC, the series filming here (Wilmington) will also be a sketch show, this time set in contemporary America, that will include new and existing Little Britain characters. Wilmington Regional Film Commissioner Johnny Griffin said the project will probably employ more than 75 people, most of whom will be locals."

The experienced crew base and our film infrastructure is one of many reasons HBO decided to bring the series here, he said.

“They also wanted a generic look to it that could play different parts of the country,” Griffin said. Wilmington’s varied landscape and architecture has doubled recently for New York in the locally filmed CW series One Tree Hill and for a South American junThe boys are filming in Wilmington, NC where they have opened their offices. They will record scenes in and outside of the B'nai Israel Synagogue where the entire street will be closed during filming. They will also film scenes in Forest Hills Drive. These scenes will involve: Brownie Scouts and Mum and Vacuum Cleaner Salesman. gle in the Richard Gere feature Nights in Rodanthe. Full article...

05/04/2008 - New Info!

This source tells us the new series will begin filming on 14th April 2008 at Los Angeles and Wilmington, NC.

Asian Actors Manifesto are seeking:

[CHINESE PRESIDENT] This Chinese dignitary, who speaks only Chinese, has a bizarre meeting with Prime Minister Sebastian and the President, whom he refers to as a couple of “fruits”…4 lines, 1 scene (31)
[TRANSLATOR] This Chinese translator faithfully translates everything the Chinese President says — including his insulting comment about Sebastian and the President’s “fruity” behavior…4 lines, 1 scene (31)
[KIM] PLEASE SUBMIT OVERWEIGHT ASIAN WOMEN ONLY. This Korean woman with an accent is subjected to Marjorie’s (Matt Lucas) astonishingly rude weight-loss program and must repeat herself several times…8 lines, 1 scene (37)

10/03/2008 - The show to be on BBC2

David was a guest on The Richard and Judy Show today and revealed the show will be on BBC2 after HBO plus David announced there could be a cure for wheelchair-bound Andy...

29/02/2008 - Little Britain USA starts filming next month

New HBO series will film in Port City (Wilimington, North Carolina also known as 'Little Hollywood' because so many movies and TV shows have been filmed there over the years: One Tree Hill, 28 Days, Dawson's Creek etc.)

"Wilmington is perfect because it's got an ocean, a river, a swamp, beach, cobblestones, horse drawn carriages, fields, forests, a huge college campus, tons of old churches, tons of modern clubs and bars, and tons of old 18th Century mansions. I can absolutely see them filming Emily and Florence on Water Street, which is old cobblestones and historical mansions. It has a very English seaside-town feel to it." Thanks Claire for this info!

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Craft services will have to stock up on their supply of tea. HBO confirmed Thursday that the “untitled Little Britain” project will open offices at EUE/Screen Gems Studios on Monday.
An American version of the bawdy British sketch comedy series was scheduled to film here last fall. But Matt Lucas, one of the show’s writers and stars, told BBC Radio the show was put on hold because of the recent Hollywood writers strike. Now that the strike is over, six episodes of the series will start production here this month.

According to the BBC, the series filming here will also be a sketch show, this time set in contemporary America, that will include new and existing Little Britain characters. Wilmington Regional Film Commissioner Johnny Griffin said the project will probably employ more than 75 people, most of whom will be locals. Source: Starnewsonline.com

14/02/2008: I'm a Little Keen on BB Twins

David Walliams has offered Big Brother twins Sam and Amanda Marchant a joint role in Little Britain. His offer came after the pair’s chav-tastic Vicky Pollard impression left him in stitches at a showbiz bash. “Laydees” man David, 36, enjoyed their routine so much, he said: “I want that one...and that one!” Now, he has vowed to get the girls, 19, into a future episode of the BBC comedy in which he stars with Matt Lucas, 33, who plays Vicky.

27/01/2008: Matt and David almost there!

The Sunday Mirror reports David Walliams and Matt Lucas are close to finishing a new series of Little Britain. David is even on a detox so he can focus. He told friends: "I can't write when I'm hungover."

07/12/2007: Matt and David chat on Jonathan Ross' chatshow

Matt and David have revealed secrets about their forthcoming show, Little Britain USA.
Matt and David explained that one of their new characters is based on Madonna’s PA. David also revealed that they once stood Madge up, “We got invited to dinner by Madonna once. The night came, and half an hour beforehand he [the PA] called saying Madonna may or may not be coming to the dinner. We weren’t just going to sit in this restaurant and wait for her so we didn’t go.”
As for other favourite LB characters, Daffyd goes to University as "the only gay on the campus", Vicky Pollard is sent to Brat Camp, while Sebastian becomes Prime Minister and develops a crush on the US President.

David announced the show will be called "Little Britain USA" on Jonathan Ross' chatshow. Source.

28/09/2007: No plans to change the show

David Walliams has apparently revealed that he and Matt Lucas don't plan to make any changes to their show to suit American tastes. The duo are busy working on a version of the series for America's HBO channel next year, but say they plan to stick to the original storylines and only change some cultural references.
"When Friends is shown in Britain no one says, 'I don't understand it because they're American'," the Daily Express quoted David as saying.
"I think funny is funny. If you try to change too much there is a danger of losing what's funny about you. Source.

Strike delays US Little Britain

Matt Lucas has revealed the US version of Little Britain has been put back because of the writers' strike.

"We're members of the Writers Guild of America so our show is on hold," Lucas told BBC Radio One's Newsbeat.
"We obviously didn't want to break the strike, so we're just waiting for them to reach an agreement," he continued.
Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) began their industrial action on 5 November in a bid to get more money from DVD and internet sales.
The six-part series, starring Lucas and his comedy partner David Walliams, was scheduled to begin shooting in the US this autumn.
The show, which will be broadcast next year on pay-TV network HBO, was "pretty much written," according to Lucas.
The US series' title has yet to be confirmed, continued the 33-year-old, but would probably feature Little Britain in some form.
"This is effectively series four," he told BBC Radio One. "But there's a kind of way into it if you've never seen the show before."
"I can't tell you too much about the characters because I don't want to ruin it," he said.
"But we've worked really hard on it, we've been writing solidly for about eight months, and we're really excited about it." Source: BBC News (19/11/2007)

Little Britain... American style

Matt Lucas and David Walliams are creating up to ten new characters for the American version of their hit show. The lads have gone down a storm in the States and are now writing the series for HBO. We caught up with delighted Matt, who revealed the duo had been having a field day coming up with wacky new characters. He said: “They range from the nice to the really gruesome — and we’re having a ball inventing them.”
But he remained tight-lipped about exactly what they would be. Full story...

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