Goodness Gracious Me

1996
8.3| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

Goodness Gracious Me is a BBC English language sketch comedy show originally aired on BBC Radio 4 from 1996 to 1998 and later televised on BBC Two from 1998 to 2001. The ensemble cast were four British Indian actors, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia. The show explored the conflict and integration between traditional Indian culture and modern British life. Some sketches reversed the roles to view the British from an Indian perspective, and others poked fun at Indian stereotypes. In the television series most of the white characters were played by Dave Lamb and Fiona Allen; in the radio series those parts were played by the cast themselves. The show's title and theme tune is a bhangra rearrangement of a hit comedy song of the same name. The original was performed by Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren reprising their characters from the 1960 film The Millionairess. The show's original working title was "Peter Sellers is Dead", but was changed because the cast generally liked Peter Sellers. In her 1996 novel Anita and Me, Syal had referred to British parodies of Asian speech as "a goodness-gracious-me accent". One of the more famous sketches featured the cast "going out for an English" after a few lassis. They mispronounce the waiter's name, order the blandest thing on the menu and ask for twenty-four plates of chips. The sketch parodies often-drunk English people "going out for an Indian", ordering chicken phall and too many papadums. This sketch was voted the 6th Greatest Comedy Sketch on a Channel 4 list show.

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Reviews

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
Fulke Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Allissa .Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
Mel J 'Goodness Gracious Me' is probably one of Britain's best comedies and it's a shame it only aired for a couple of seasons. The show was comprised of sketches portraying a humorous take on Indian culture in the UK, poking fun at both Asians and British alike without causing offence (and those who were offended almost always were the uptight politically correct). The four performers of the show-- Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir and Nina Wadia-- all threw themselves into their various roles, bringing their outlandish characters to life and clearly had much fun doing so.Particularly hilarious sketches included the fat spoilt boy, the father who thinks everything comes from India and Mr 'Check Please'. Although 'Goodness Gracious Me' sadly only lasted for such a short time, I recommend 'The Kumars at No. 42' as a nice compliment to the show. Also, for comedies with a similar theme of making fun of a culture/section of society, check out 'Chewin' The Fat' (a hilarious Scottish comedy) and 'Father Ted' which is a side-splitting insight into the lives of three unconventional Irish priests.
yotsuya "Goodness Gracious Me" is a hilarious laugh. Full of short skits poking fun at Indians and Anglo-indians it still manages to be funny to those of us who don't fall into those categories. Certain characters make frequent appearances like Mr. Everything-is-India and Smeeta Smitten Shobiz Kitten.If you enjoy the show, keep an eye out for the CD's or cassette of the radio show. Many of the same characters first appeared there.I'd also recommend "Red Dwarf" and "Monty Python's Flying Circus"
dlowe-2 GGM maintains the high standard we have been used to. Few sketch shows can boast that there are no "weak-links" in the cast. (Not even "Monty Python" ). All four of the GGM are versatile performers..Including Dave Lamb.(Mind you I'm not sure Kulvinder Ghir is the greatest singer!) The new series seemed to me a little "naughtier" than before, in terms of language, but I'm not complaining about the unexpected flashes of Nina Wadia's midriff! Even the songs in GGM (Not usually my favourite part of a comedy show) are funny and relevant. All the usual favourites in top form and some clever new characters too with spoofs on a lot of UK shows e.g motoring and home-shopping. Oh yes and alot of mentions of Guildford and Hounslow.The "Coopers" and their friends caused a bit of a stir with a sketch involving a visit to an English church and the bible which didn't go down too well with some viewers. But then GGM has always been even-handed with which religions/beliefs it tackles.Plenty of scope left still I hope for another new series.
caroline-13 This show is brilliant - a top quality comedy with a wonderfully talented cast. With a mixture of sketches and songs to suit all ages, Goodness Gracious Me dares to poke fun at English and Asian people alike. The show started out on BBC radio before being transferred very successfully to BBC2. Now, after two television series and a hit nationwide tour the cast are also enjoying solo successes, but they will all be back for a third series later in the year.The live show was superb - a compilation of the best sketches from both series with a few new offerings packed in. The cast were so lovely they even let fans in backstage to meet them, signing autographs and posing for photos.I'm definitely going to be a fan for life - and I'm looking forward to the next series!!Stuff The Fast Show - give me Goodness Gracious Me (and a small aubergine) any day!!Caroline :o)