The Fast Show returns with a Downton Abbey spoof

The Fast Show returns with a Downton Abbey spoof

03 November, 2011
by: Spoonfedcomedy

"It was ripe for a kicking!"

For those of you in despair over the series climax of Downton Abbey this Sunday, you may be seeing it again a lot sooner than you think. Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson have written their own spoof version of the popular period drama, starring classic characters from The Fast Show. The Downton Abbey skits will feature in a new mini-series of the well-loved '90s sketch show, to be launched on the website of lager giant Foster's next week.

In a buoyant press conference at the Park Lane Hilton yesterday, Paul Whitehouse said: "It was a good opportunity to do a parody of the show and incorporate some of our old characters. We'd quite like to do a full hour-length Downton. We could get 'Jazz Club' into it. Nice." Arabella Weir (AKA 'Insecure Woman') added: "It seemed obvious, Downton is just begging for a kicking!"

In total, 12 epsiodes of The Fast Show – each lasting about eight minutes – will be be available to view online, with over 30 of the most popular characters from the series making an appearance. Apart from Mark Williams, who was unable to make the shooting schedule, writers Whitehouse and Higson have managed to get almost all of the original cast back on board, including Caroline Aherne, Arabella Weir, John Thomson and Simon Day.

When questioned about why they decided to do another series having once mocked the idea, Higson answered: "We only mocked the idea of doing a comeback and doing new stuff. We figured it was a bit like rock dinosaurs from the '60s and '70s announcing a comeback tour for their new disco album. We wanted to do it because Foster's asked us and we liked the idea of doing an online series. It's something new for us and it's becoming an important part of the broadcasting world. What will be interesting is to see whether the online thing means a new generation comes to it."

Paul Whitehouse added: "About 11 years ago we were conscious of boring people with it so we stopped, but I think we all felt we probably ended it a bit too soon. It feels right to bring it back now."

Higson also hinted they'd be keen to see it transfer to television screens next year, like Foster's other successfully recommissioned series Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters: "We've really enjoyed it and the proof in the pudding will be to see how well it goes down. If it's well recieved, then that gives you energy to do more. I think Alan Partridge has now been sold to TV so if any TV companies want to approach us and say "can we do something?", then we'll listen! A full-on Downton Abbey episode might well be an option!"

The Fast Show launches on Thursday 10th November. Watch it on: www.fosters.co.uk

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