For some strange reason, I was initially compelled to start this installment of Sketch Comedy Saturday with "Never fear, Little Britain is here!" I suppose there was a need for a campy intro. Then, I realized that there are actually plenty of things to fear in Little Britain: Matt Lucas wearing really tight shorts, old women violently projectile vomiting on everything in sight, more Matt Lucas wearing really, really tight shorts ... Really, the horrifying list goes on.

Despite the resulting burning mental images, the make-up and costuming of this show has to be applauded. David Walliams and Matt Lucas play most of the show's characters, male or female, old or young; even when you know you're just looking at a fake, very lumpy fat suit. you still recoil in horror when Bubbles takes off her towel.

The only major downside is that the sketches get rather repetitive, as each character has a very distinct formula or catchphrase. Sure, they're pretty strong, but once you see the characters once or twice, you've probably seen enough of them. The few exceptions include Lou and Andy, who get progressively weirder, and the Fat Fighters' Marjorie Dawes, who is played to maximum sass by Lucas. Also, there's a laugh track, which can get rather distracting at times. If any of these things annoy you, just focus on the fact that Anthony Stewart Head plays the Prime Minister in a series of sketches and your heart should return to its usual fuzzy state.

Last year, HBO decided it'd be a good idea to put an American twist on the show, mainly just by attaching "USA" to the end of the name and making a few of the characters a lot bitchier than normal (coughing Carol lost her cold face of indifference and just got really mean). Little Britain USA mainly featured old characters but also threw in the mix a few new American-inspired faces and, you know, Rosie O'Donnell (about seven minutes into the linked preview).









Please note that the last clip is Not Safe For Work. Maybe even Not Safe For Life.