In the mid-1990s, the rapid-fire sketch comedy of The Fast Show captivated audiences with its quirky characters and unforgettable catchphrases. Now, over three decades later, the show’s creators, Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse, are taking their beloved creation back on stage, reconnecting with a new generation of fans.
The Fast Show’s format, featuring sketches that often lasted just 10 to 30 seconds, was a groundbreaking proposition at the time. The show’s ability to pack in an average of 27 sketches per 30-minute episode, compared to the typical 9 or 10 in other programmes, set it apart and left a lasting impact on British comedy.
“The Fast Show has been kept alive by social media GIFs and memes, all these little snippets people keep,” says Higson. “It was almost as if we saw the future and that it was going to be lots of short clips.”
Whitehouse adds, “I don’t know if any of you are aware, but I actually invented social media. Just by accident.”
Higson and Whitehouse’s comedic partnership began in 1977 when they met at university. “We always made each other laugh but we never envisaged we might do comedy together because that was well before alternative comedy became a thing,” says Higson.
Over the years, the duo collaborated with other renowned comedians, including Harry Enfield, Vic Reeves, and Bob Mortimer, before deciding to create their own sketch show. The result was The Fast Show, which quickly gained a devoted cult following thanks to its memorable characters and catchphrases, such as the sexually explicit banter of tailors Ken and Kenneth.
“I think most of our characters were quite warm and quite engaging, and we didn’t sneer at them or mock them,” says Whitehouse.
The show’s enduring popularity has been fuelled by its presence on social media, where fans have kept the sketches alive through GIFs and memes. This has led to a 30th-anniversary tour, which has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from audiences.
“We always knew it was going to be a nostalgia trip,” says Higson. “It’s nostalgic for us, to get back together again and to catch up with each other and to revisit and replay some of the old characters, and it’s such a joy to be surrounded by people who love and remember the show.”
As Higson and Whitehouse continue their individual projects, they haven’t ruled out the possibility of reuniting the Fast Show team for a new project in the future. “Not based on The Fast Show but using the Fast Show team,” says Higson. “That would be fun.”
The legacy of The Fast Show, with its timeless comedy and enduring impact on British television, continues to captivate audiences three decades on.
