Foster's Fast Show: Premiere Review

The new online series of The Fast Show launches on Thursday 10th November. It's a highly anticipated event, as fans wait to see whether bringing back the much-loved and innovative 1990s sketch show was a good idea.

A premiere for the Foster's sponsored series was held in London on Wednesday evening, with the show's stars - including creators Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson (pictured) - in attendance.

It's immediately obvious the show has a big budget. Higson told reporters: "I don't think I know of anything that's been made for online that's going to look as good, and as big-budget as this. It was very important to us that it looks as good as it used to."

The series will mainly only feature classic Fast Show characters, although there is the odd new premise, like a Downton Abbey spoof. However, as Higson, explained: "It is mainly greatest hits."

So what's the series like? Well, The British Comedy Guide has seen the first three episodes and we think it safe to say the show is going to be a hit. Fans of the original sketches are certainly catered for with some well-crafted new lines for their favourite characters, whilst those that have never seen the show before will no doubt easily and quickly pick up on why the Fast Show's classic characters are so loved. For example, the football presenters are just as relevant now as when they were first conceived.

The nostalgia value certainly helps things (at the premiere most characters were greeted with a cheer from the audience, before they'd even said anything), but the team certainly haven't forgotten how to write funny lines, with car dealer Swiss Toni and eco warrior Dave Angel perhaps the funniest of those we saw.

It's not all hits - the Ted & Ralph sketch, which is the very first thing you see in the new series, lacked the subtleness that made the originals so great; the 'Does My Bum Look Big In This' woman has run out of punchlines; and the Suit You Sir tailors were trying too hard, plus it just wasn't right with Higson in the skit instead of Mark Williams (Williams being the only main cast member not available to join in this re-make, due to other filming commitments apparently).

What is perhaps most impressive though is, by the end of the three episodes screened, there was still a long list of characters who hadn't yet been seen. Competitive Dad, the 'No Offence' shop assistant, The 13th Duke of Wymbourne and Louis Balfour just some of the creations lined-up to appear later. In fact, there must be over 40 regular Fast Show characters for the team to rely on, so plenty to keep the 10-part series moving along at a frenetic pace.

In summary: definitely worth watching out for the first episode on Thursday 10th.

Here's a video, shot at the premiere, featuring interviews with the cast and famous fans: