Last year, I listed my ten favourite episodes of the BBC comedy Not Going Out. After it became one of my favourite shows, I wanted to see what other series Lee Mack and Tim Vine had worked on, and came across The Sketch Show, which featured Mack and Vine along with comic talents Jim Tavare, Karen Taylor and Ronni Ancona. Here are my ten favourite episodes from the first series:
10. Urinal
Perhaps the most famous sketch from the show, involving all three male members of the cast. Filmed in one shot, Tim, Lee and Jim make things complicated for one another when Lee wants to borrow a light for his cigarette from Jim. Already with a drink in his other hand, Tim has to "help" Lee so that both hands can be free to light his cigarette. It's the deadpan manner, particularly that of Jim, that makes this sketch a classic. It would have been so easy to over-act this strange situation, but the three men's comedic timing and naturalism makes this an ever popular sketch.
9. Prostitute
In this sketch, Lee proves to be a naive customer for a prostitute played by Ronni. His lack of understanding of phrases such as "are you looking for some company" means Ronni has to constantly change her way of speaking. When it looks like she might finally be getting through to Lee, he proves even more naive by finally asking outright: "how much would it be for sex". I love Ronni's portrayal of the increasingly annoyed prostitute because it clashes wonderfully with Lee's overly naive customer, which makes for great comic interaction.
8. Film Noir
Karen plays a mostly silent "femme fatale", as a detective (Lee) tries to admit his feelings whilst confessing he isn't the most romantic guy. Taylor continues to include more reasons as to why he's no good for her, which leads Lee to try harder being more romantic. After her final insult of "you're crap at sex", Mack breaks character, drops his New York accent, and tells her to "get stuffed". The sketch recreates the visuals of a film noir perfectly, with the blinds, office décor and black and white filter creating an authentic look. This why the final line always makes me laugh, as it completely shatters the atmosphere and is a great climax to Lee's continued romantic attempts.
7. Tim's Confession
Tim wishes to confess something to Lee, who has gathered his colleagues to listen to what he has to say. Believing Lee to be the only one listening, Tim confesses that he likes to wear women's underwear. Driven to the point of madness keeping this a secret, he tells Lee that he regards him as a friend and needs to tell him this "in confidence". Lee admits to mishearing him and tells Tim: "I thought you said in conference". The played down reactions of the colleagues ensures the punchline has great impact, and Lee's sincere admittance to mishearing Tim adds to this sketch's brilliance.
6. Extra
Jim attempts to direct a dinner scene with Ronni and Tim as the lead actors. However, Lee overplays his role of "background scenery", causing Jim to continually re-shoot the sequence. After finally settling on a silent role, Lee promises not to say a word for the final take, only to trip and ruin the set, and thus ruin the entire scene. Lee's obliviousness to making too much noise makes for great comedy, especially when he starts repeating the lines of the lead actors to create "background noise". I believe this was the final sketch of series one, and it certainly is a great finale to the series if so.
5. Imaginary Friends
During a therapy session, Ronnie counsels Lee, Karen and Tim about their imaginary friends. This proves increasingly difficult, with Tim going as far to claim he himself is an imaginary friend of someone else! Lee claims to be accompanying his "friend" to the session for his alcoholism, and Karen claims that her "friend" is her actual boyfriend. At the end of the sketch, it is revealed that Ronni is alone in the room, and that she was imagining the whole scenario. There are many subtle jokes throughout the sketch, particularly from Tim, making this one of the most memorable and hilarious sketches of the series.
4. California Dreaming
Arguably the next most popular sketch behind Urinal, this closing sketch to the show's first episode features all five members of the cast. Ronni is recording a cover version of "California Dreaming" by The Mamas and The Papas. The only problem, however, is that her backing singers (Lee, Tim, Karen and Jim) are unable to say the correct lyrics. What seems like a simple repetition of Ronni's vocals quickly spirals into absurdity. This sketch ensures that you will forever sing the wrong lyrics whenever you hear the song, which is testament to its genius. Other versions of the show would feature this sketch, but the original cannot be outdone due to its fantastic comic timing and interaction between the cast.
3. Dinner Date
Lee demonstrates every way in which a date can be ruined. His lack of understanding of how to act on a date contrasts with Ronni's calmness and manners. Starting out with only pouring wine for himself, things become more awkward when the waiter (Tim) appears to flirt with Ronni. This leads Lee to taunt Ronni further, until the waiter leaves. Finally, he manages to make her laugh, only to quickly revert back to his usual rude self. Lee completely steals this sketch, with each awkward moment being even more hilarious than the last. The final line that makes Ronni walk out is so unexpected, and is perhaps one of the funniest lines in the show's history.
2. Phobias Workshop
Lee conducts a workshop for the other cast members to get over their phobias, which include awkward silences, repetition, apologies and barking at other people's phobias. To make matters worse, Lee has a phobia of someone shouting "aagh!". When each of these phobias become known, it doesn't take long for a hilarious circle of each phobia being caused by the other. This must have been one of the most complex sketches to act out, as the timing has to be spot on in order for the circle of phobias to work. Perhaps the most inventive sketch in the series, and one which remains funny despite repeated viewings.
1. Gangsters
Jim and Tim have trouble interrogating Lee due to their use of gangster related slang. Not even the threat of being shot makes Lee comply with answering their questions, as he genuinely has no idea what they are saying. The phrases Lee fails to understand become funnier and funnier throughout. At one point, Lee misinterprets Jim's threat of "we don't want to unload in your face" as a sexual comment, and further lands himself in rouble by misunderstanding Jim's meaning of "if you start singing, we're out of here, its Kool and the Gang". Thinking Jim wants him to actually sing, Lee's last attempt to not be shot by the gangsters is to sing "Cherish" in a scared tone. Jim and Tim's over-the-top gangster voices add to the brilliance of sketch, and Lee's deadpan manner is the perfect clash between the characters.
8. Film Noir
Karen plays a mostly silent "femme fatale", as a detective (Lee) tries to admit his feelings whilst confessing he isn't the most romantic guy. Taylor continues to include more reasons as to why he's no good for her, which leads Lee to try harder being more romantic. After her final insult of "you're crap at sex", Mack breaks character, drops his New York accent, and tells her to "get stuffed". The sketch recreates the visuals of a film noir perfectly, with the blinds, office décor and black and white filter creating an authentic look. This why the final line always makes me laugh, as it completely shatters the atmosphere and is a great climax to Lee's continued romantic attempts.
7. Tim's Confession
Tim wishes to confess something to Lee, who has gathered his colleagues to listen to what he has to say. Believing Lee to be the only one listening, Tim confesses that he likes to wear women's underwear. Driven to the point of madness keeping this a secret, he tells Lee that he regards him as a friend and needs to tell him this "in confidence". Lee admits to mishearing him and tells Tim: "I thought you said in conference". The played down reactions of the colleagues ensures the punchline has great impact, and Lee's sincere admittance to mishearing Tim adds to this sketch's brilliance.6. Extra
5. Imaginary Friends
During a therapy session, Ronnie counsels Lee, Karen and Tim about their imaginary friends. This proves increasingly difficult, with Tim going as far to claim he himself is an imaginary friend of someone else! Lee claims to be accompanying his "friend" to the session for his alcoholism, and Karen claims that her "friend" is her actual boyfriend. At the end of the sketch, it is revealed that Ronni is alone in the room, and that she was imagining the whole scenario. There are many subtle jokes throughout the sketch, particularly from Tim, making this one of the most memorable and hilarious sketches of the series.4. California Dreaming
Arguably the next most popular sketch behind Urinal, this closing sketch to the show's first episode features all five members of the cast. Ronni is recording a cover version of "California Dreaming" by The Mamas and The Papas. The only problem, however, is that her backing singers (Lee, Tim, Karen and Jim) are unable to say the correct lyrics. What seems like a simple repetition of Ronni's vocals quickly spirals into absurdity. This sketch ensures that you will forever sing the wrong lyrics whenever you hear the song, which is testament to its genius. Other versions of the show would feature this sketch, but the original cannot be outdone due to its fantastic comic timing and interaction between the cast.3. Dinner Date
Lee demonstrates every way in which a date can be ruined. His lack of understanding of how to act on a date contrasts with Ronni's calmness and manners. Starting out with only pouring wine for himself, things become more awkward when the waiter (Tim) appears to flirt with Ronni. This leads Lee to taunt Ronni further, until the waiter leaves. Finally, he manages to make her laugh, only to quickly revert back to his usual rude self. Lee completely steals this sketch, with each awkward moment being even more hilarious than the last. The final line that makes Ronni walk out is so unexpected, and is perhaps one of the funniest lines in the show's history.2. Phobias Workshop
Lee conducts a workshop for the other cast members to get over their phobias, which include awkward silences, repetition, apologies and barking at other people's phobias. To make matters worse, Lee has a phobia of someone shouting "aagh!". When each of these phobias become known, it doesn't take long for a hilarious circle of each phobia being caused by the other. This must have been one of the most complex sketches to act out, as the timing has to be spot on in order for the circle of phobias to work. Perhaps the most inventive sketch in the series, and one which remains funny despite repeated viewings.1. Gangsters
Jim and Tim have trouble interrogating Lee due to their use of gangster related slang. Not even the threat of being shot makes Lee comply with answering their questions, as he genuinely has no idea what they are saying. The phrases Lee fails to understand become funnier and funnier throughout. At one point, Lee misinterprets Jim's threat of "we don't want to unload in your face" as a sexual comment, and further lands himself in rouble by misunderstanding Jim's meaning of "if you start singing, we're out of here, its Kool and the Gang". Thinking Jim wants him to actually sing, Lee's last attempt to not be shot by the gangsters is to sing "Cherish" in a scared tone. Jim and Tim's over-the-top gangster voices add to the brilliance of sketch, and Lee's deadpan manner is the perfect clash between the characters. 
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