This award-winning and often ground-breaking Asian sketch show unexpectedly also attracted mainstream audiences in the UK, with innovative sketches and hilarious comic creations mainly centered around the way that traditional Indian culture interacts with life in Britain today.
An Anglo-Indian sketch show. It's even funnier than it sounds. hide show
What started off as a humorous send-up of the Anglo-Indian culture, Goodness Gracious Me became a comedy classic to many people. A one-of-a-kind comedy, it continued to provide laughs, week after week, with various parodies, sketches, and songs - all with that Anglo-Indian flavour. The level of 'mature content' seemed to gradually increase over the weeks, but the comedy was still appreciated, and the cultural aspect never dimmed.
Possibly the only bad thing about the show is that you almost had to have background knowledge of Indian culture, or that you actually had to BE Indian (or at least sub-Continental) to fully appreciate it. Despite this, Goodness Gracious Me was enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, and is definitely worth watching, or at least just having a look at.
THE BEST ETHNIC SHOW IN BRITAIN. Asia has invaded Comedy with shows like these. We also have Russell Peters and Omid Djali and Ali G hide show
Goodness gracious me is the best sitcom since Mr Bean. Was the point of watching def jam. When you have jokes that is true bout asians. These jokes ain't racist unlike south Park. Get the DVD from your local HMV.Asia has invaded Comedy with shows like these. We also have Russell Peters and Omid Djali and Ali G.
Sheer brilliance in short bursts. hide show
Well since it hasn't a review yet I thought I'd step in and take the plunge.
Goodness Gracious Me ran for 2 years and was an oddball variety sketch show like no other. It's various wacky characters (my personal favourites being Skipinda the Punjabi Kangaroo, Guru Mahareshi Yogi and The Bhangramuffins) reappeared throughout it's 18 episodes and gave anyone a reason to 'laugh out loud'.
Admittedly the first time I saw this show I didn't realise what it was and didn't know what to make of it. Second episode in though and I was hooked.
Although some of the gags cause it to fall flat on it's face, this is a show worth your attention and it's off the wall attitude will demand it. Each 30 minute episode is broken down into between 15 and 30 sketches with the last being a song and a closing sketch (about 5-10 seconds long) after the credits.
Perhaps it's appeal stems from the 'life is a joke' feel of it as it's cast give no hesitation in poking fun at themselves as well. Then again there's always a 'someone you know' character who'll put a smile on your face (like the over-proud old mothers who verbally compete at "who has the better son" - indirectly of course).
Innevitabley you'll usually be looking for sketches with the reacurring characters while any other sketches are likely to be instantly forgotten. However in some ways this works to a strange advantage as you'll find yourself laughing again and again at those forgotten ones. And then wondering why.
If you can't find any reruns showing the entire collection can be found in many a bargain bin so why not give it a go?
I give Goodness Gracious Me a 7/10 because it's a great watch on a boring afternoon; if only viewed 1 episode per sitting.
-Thanks for reading-