Big Train, 1998
Big Train is an often forgotten surreal sketch show from the writers of Father Ted.
The title of the show is derived from the song run during the credits, “Big Train”, which was recorded by Max Gregor and his Orchestra. The writers were fond enough of the song to name the show after it.
The show ran for two series broadcast in two blocks of six episodes each. The first was screened in 1998 and the second in 2002.
Big Train was a critical success with one critic from ‘The Guardian’ newspaper calling it “one of the most original and most consistently funny sketch shows in years” and the first series was voted “Best ‘Broken Comedy’ Show” at the prestigious British Comedy Awards in 1999. Despite this the series attracted only a limited audience.
Summary
Sketch show, following in the Monty Python tradition the comedy of Big Train is based on the writers’ take on ordinary situations whether they be the surreal or macabre.
Clips
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Cast
Simon Pegg
Mark Heap
Kevin Eldon
Amelia Bullmore (series 1)
Rebecca Front (series 2)
Tracy-Ann Oberman (series 2)
Catherine Tate (series 2)
Details
Channel: BBC2
Created By: Graham Lineham and Arthur Mathews
Written By: Graham Lineham and Arthur Mathews (series 1), Arthur Mathews (series 2)
Original Transmission Dates:
Series one (6 episodes): 9 November – 14 December 1998
Series two (6 episodes): 7 January – 11 February 2002