Snuff Box (TV series)

Snuff Box (sometimes referred to as Berry & Fulcher's Snuff Box) is a British dark sitcom set in London. Starring and written by Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher with additional material by Nick Gargano, it aired on BBC Three in 2006. The series was directed by Brass Eye director Michael Cumming who later directed Berry's Toast of London.

"Snuff Box" redirects here. For the object, see Snuff box. For the anatomical location within the hand, see Anatomical snuff box.

Snuff Box
Screen shot from the opening title sequence
GenreDark comedy, sitcom
Created by
Directed byMichael Cumming
Starring
Theme music composerMatt Berry
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
ProducerCharlie Hanson
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original networkBBC Three
Original release27 February (2006-02-27) –
3 April 2006 (2006-04-03)

Starring as fictionalized versions of themselves, Berry plays a hangman ("High Executioner to the King of England"), and Fulcher his assistant. The majority of the programme is set in a "gentlemen's club for hangmen",[1] although the show is also interspersed with sequences of sketches, often featuring different characters. The show is set in "no particular time" with deliberately anachronistic sets.[2]

Background

Berry and Fulcher met whilst working together on another BBC Three comedy, The Mighty Boosh.[3] Snuff Box was originally titled Berry & Fulcher's Comedy Bronze.[4]

The show was produced by Channel X Productions, who had previously produced the animated series Popetown for BBC Three in 2005. Popetown had been met with international controversy prior to its broadcast, so was never aired by BBC Three. According to Berry, this led to the commissioning of Snuff Box, as BBC Three owed Channel X Productions a favour. In addition, BBC Three was looking for a new sketch show to replace Little Britain, which had been moved to BBC One for its final series.[5]

Reception

The Guardian described the show as "fantastically dark and cynical".[6]

DVD release

The DVD was released on 16 June 2008.

On 11 October 2011, Severin Films released the series on DVD with a bonus CD of music and other exclusive extra features in the North American market.[7]

Episodes

This list is ordered by the original air dates on BBC Three in the United Kingdom.

#TitleDescriptionOriginal air date
1.1Rich's MotherThe identity of Rich's mother is a closely guarded secret, but Matt is determined to find out the truth for his own financial gain.27 February 2006
1.2Matt's DiaryRich sets out to humiliate Matt by reading extracts from his diary aloud, in front of the other club members – but retribution is not far away.6 March 2006
1.3PunchlineMatt is furious that Rich keeps ruining the punchlines of his jokes – especially as he keeps his friend supplied with whisky and women.13 March 2006
1.4Oh BrothersMatt and Rich must decide where their loyalties lie when their two brothers pay an unwelcome visit to London and stir up trouble.20 March 2006
1.5Love TriangleTension brews in the strange world of the horrible hangmen, as a beautiful woman causes all kinds of jealous feelings to rise to the fore – and Matt reverts to his devilish ways.27 March 2006
1.6The WeddingRich plans to tie the knot, finally escaping Matt's clutches and leading a life of his own. However, his fellow hangman is determined to keep him in the gentleman's club, whatever it takes.3 April 2006

Music

The Snuff Box theme is used repeatedly throughout the series. Matt Berry composed the music, both themes and incidental. He sang most of the vocal parts and played most of the instruments. He recorded the theme tune in his flat. English composer Tony Hatch advised Berry on the brass sections.[8]

The film Dredd featured the Snuff Box theme in a few scenes.[9]

References
  1. "Interview". BBC. p. 4. Retrieved 4 November 2006.
  2. "BBC - Comedy - Snuff Box Interview". BBC. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  3. "Interview". BBC. p. 5. Retrieved 4 November 2006.
  4. "BBC - Comedy - Snuff Box Berry & Fulcher Matt Berry". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  5. Inside the 'Snuff Box' with Berry & Fulcher, retrieved 21 March 2023
  6. "Whisky... !: Why BBC3 Should Re-Open Its Snuff Box | Media | The Guardian". The Guardian. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  7. "Rock! Shock! Pop! - Snuff Box - The Complete Series DVD Review". rockshockpop.com. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  8. "Matt Berry on the Music of Snuff Box". BBC. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  9. "Snuff Dredd". The Velvet Onion. 8 September 2012.
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