Barking (TV series)

Barking is a late-night sketch comedy show broadcast on Channel 4 in the summer of 1998. It starred and was 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]

For the Children's ITV series, see Barking!

Barking
GenreSketch comedy
Directed byPeter Boyd Maclean
Starring
ComposersPete Baikie
Rowland Lee
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
ProducersAlan Marke
David Spicer
EditorMykola Pawluk
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release24 June (1998-06-24) –
29 July 1998 (1998-07-29)

The show was released on DVD on 7 November 2011.[3][4]

Cast

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Peter Boyd Maclean24 June 1998 (1998-06-24)
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 Maclean1 July 1998 (1998-07-01)
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 Maclean8 July 1998 (1998-07-08)
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 Maclean15 July 1998 (1998-07-15)
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 Maclean22 July 1998 (1998-07-22)
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 Maclean29 July 1998 (1998-07-29)
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

Despite 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. "Barking". The Velvet Onion. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  5. Mark Lewisohn, Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy (1998) ISBN 0-563-36977-9
  6. Donaldson, Brian. "Barking - DVD review". list.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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