The popular and ground-breaking comedy sketch show Goodness Gracious Me (1996-2001) returns for a one-off reunion special on May 26 as part of BBC Two’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Creator, co-writer and star Meera Syal has revealed that if she and the cast were asked they’d be up for making a full-length GGM series again.
What’s in store for viewers on Monday night’s special episode? Syal’s favorite character Smita Smitten, showbiz kitten, didn’t make the cut due to time constraints. Here’s the official word from the network:
The all-new material features favourite characters from the original series, including how you can tell Sherlock Holmes comes from India, some very competitive grandmothers, and a surprisingly high-tech use for an aubergine.
Plus some unusually hard-hitting legal advice, a very scary nanny, and the heart-breaking denouement of the black-and-white movie classic Madrasablanca. (BBC)
A few months ago, Syal talked to The Aerogram about working with costars Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, and Nina Wadia and the creative process behind the show. Here’s what she had to say about what the show did for British and South Asian comedy:
That’s the amazing thing about comedy, it breaks down preconceptions in a way that a thousand political speeches can never do. Being funny is a powerful place to be, especially when you’re not the punchline of other people’s crass racist jokes but are actually pulling the comedy trigger yourselves.
If you make someone laugh, you’re not The Other any more, you’ve dragged them into your world view and made them laugh.
Don’t get BBC on your TV? Join the rest of us on YouTube and catch up with classic clips of Goodness Gracious Me. Share your favorites with us in the comments.
