Little Crackers

Little Crackers
Genre Drama
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 3
No. of episodes 35 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time 15mins (Series 1-2)
30mins (inc. adverts) (Series 3-)
Production company(s) Blue Door Adventures
Phil McIntyre Television
Sprout Pictures
Tiger Aspect Productions
Silver River Productions
Renegade Pictures
Glassbox Productions
Avalon Television
Can Communicate
Release
Original network Sky1
Picture format 16:9 (1080i HDTV)
Audio format Surround
Original release 19 December 2010 (2010-12-19) – present
Chronology
Related shows 10 Minute Tales
External links
Official website

Little Crackers is a British Christmas comedy-drama that was broadcast on Sky1. It consists of a series of short films featuring stars of British and Irish comedy, including Stephen Fry, Catherine Tate, Chris O'Dowd, Kathy Burke, Victoria Wood, and Bill Bailey. According to Sky Television, the show marked the start of their biggest investment in British comedy during Sky1's twenty-year history.[1] The success of the first series led Sky to renew the show for a second series, which began airing on 18 December 2011. The comedians involved in the second series included Harry Hill, Sheridan Smith, Sanjeev Bhaskar, John Bishop, Shappi Khorsandi and Jack Whitehall.

Moone Boy, created by and starring Chris O'Dowd for Sky1 and Walking and Talking, written by and starring Kathy Burke for Sky Atlantic are both full series based on Little Crackers shorts. They have been commissioned for 6 episodes and 4 episodes respectively.

Summary

In the films, the stars - with the help of rising young actors such as Madeleine Power as the young Catherine Tate- recreate stories from their childhood.[2] The films, which last between 10 and 12 minutes each, include Catherine Tate reenacting an occasion when she decided to mimic the controversial singer Gary Glitter in a school nativity; Stephen Fry as a head teacher doling out corporal punishment to his younger self played by Daniel Roche; and Dawn French as the Queen Mother, whom she met at the age of four.[2] David Baddiel, Julian Barratt, Bill Bailey, Jo Brand, Victoria Wood, Chris O'Dowd and Julia Davis are among the other actors who recreate childhood incidents and memories.[2][3]

Catherine Tate's Little Cracker, My First Nativity, was nominated for Best Comedy Programme, at the British Academy Television Awards 2011. It was beaten by BBC Two's Harry and Paul.

Production

The series was commissioned by Sky1 after the success of the short film series, 10 Minute Tales in 2009. That series featured 12 silent short films of around 8 minutes in length and starred popular British actors (including Bill Nighy) and was directed by Ian Rickson.[1][4]

Two of the episodes were produced by Silver River. The titles of the two episodes were revealed as "First Kiss" and "Satan's Hoof", starring Julia Davis and Julian Barratt respectively.[5] A further three episodes were produced by Tiger Aspect: "Better Than Christmas", "The Queen Mother's Visit" (alternatively known as "Operation Big Hat") and "My First Nativity".[6]

The first series of Little Crackers saw Catherine Tate, Julia Davis and Bill Bailey, marking their directorial debuts.[7]

Broadcast

The show began airing on Sky1 and in high definition on Sky1 HD on 19 December 2010. Two episodes are broadcast each evening until 23 December, while the final two episodes are broadcast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.[1] The Meera Syal short was the UK's first ever scripted TV comedy broadcast in 3D.[8]

A second series of 11 episodes aired on Sky1 from 18 December to 23 December 2011. A special behind-the-scenes look at the show was also broadcast and made available on Sky Anytime.

Episodes

Series 1 (2010)

# Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1.1"Victoria Wood's Little Cracker: The Giddy Kipper"Victoria WoodVictoria Wood19 December 2010 (2010-12-19)
For eight-year-old Eunice, this Christmas is going to be different. This year it's just her and her dad, and there's little festive spirit to be found.
1.2"Chris O'Dowd's Little Cracker: Capturing Santa"Peter CattaneoChris O'Dowd and Nick Murphy19 December 2010 (2010-12-19)
Not everyone has a soft spot for Santa in an autobiographical short written by and starring Chris O'Dowd.
1.3"Catherine Tate's Little Cracker: My First Nativity"Catherine TateCatherine Tate20 December 2010 (2010-12-20)
A novel twist on the Nativity in an autobiographical short written, directed by and starring Catherine Tate.
1.4"Julian Barratt's Little Cracker: Satan's Hoof"Julian BarrattJulian Barratt20 December 2010 (2010-12-20)
Get to know Satan, yes Satan, in an autobiographical short written, directed by and starring Julian Barratt.
1.5"Stephen Fry's Little Cracker: Bunce"Peter CattaneoStephen Fry21 December 2010 (2010-12-21)
Someone's sweet tooth lands him in trouble in an autobiographical short written by and starring Stephen Fry.
1.6"Kathy Burke's Little Cracker: Better Than Christmas"Tim KirkbyKathy Burke21 December 2010 (2010-12-21)
The Clash gives a certain fan life-changing advice in an autobiographical short written by and starring Kathy Burke.
1.7"Jo Brand's Little Cracker: Goodbye Fluff"Mike ChristieJo Brand22 December 2010 (2010-12-22)
It's all about teenage turmoil and a moggy mystery in an autobiographical short written by and starring Jo Brand.
1.8"Bill Bailey's Little Cracker: Car Park Babylon"Bill Bailey and Joe MageeBill Bailey and Joe Magee22 December 2010 (2010-12-22)
Christmas is about giving not gadgetry in an autobiographical short written, directed by and starring Bill Bailey.
1.9"David Baddiel's Little Cracker: The Norris McWhirter Chronicles - A True Story"David BaddielDavid Baddiel23 December 2010 (2010-12-23)
Even those normally right can be wrong in an autobiographical short written, directed by and starring David Baddiel.
1.10"Julia Davis's Little Cracker: The Kiss"Julia DavisJulia Davis23 December 2010 (2010-12-23)
A shy teen prepares for her first kiss in an autobiographical short written, directed by and starring Julia Davis.
1.11"Dawn French's Little Cracker: Operation Big Hat"Dewi HumphreysBeth Kilcoyne and Emma Kilcoyne24 December 2010 (2010-12-24)
Make way for the Queen Mother who comes to visit in an autobiographical short inspired by and starring Dawn French.
1.12"Meera Syal's Little Cracker: Uncle Santa"Peter LydonMeera Syal25 December 2010 (2010-12-25)
Uncle Satnam steps out from Santa's shadow in an autobiographical short written by and starring Meera Syal. Filmed in 3D.

Series 2 (2011)

# Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
2.1"Barbara Windsor's Little Cracker: My First Brassiere"Paul KingMatt Evans18 December 2011 (2011-12-18)
A budding young actress receives a boost in a short inspired by the life and times of Barbara Windsor.
2.2"Jack Whitehall's Little Cracker: Daddy's Little Princess"Juliet MayJack Whitehall18 December 2011 (2011-12-18)
The Prince of Thieves offers a few pearls of wisdom in a short inspired and written by Jack Whitehall.
2.3"Jane Horrocks' Little Cracker: Barbra"Paul Norton WalkerNick Vivian19 December 2011 (2011-12-19)
Bad hair and a unique talent are unveiled in a short inspired by the life and times of Jane Horrocks.
2.4"Harry Hill's Little Cracker: Your Face"Harry HillHarry Hill19 December 2011 (2011-12-19)
It's all about that father-(puppet)son bond in a short inspired, written and directed by Harry Hill.
2.5"Alan Davies' Little Cracker: The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Daytime"Oliver LansleyAlan Davies and Oliver Lansley20 December 2011 (2011-12-20)
The adage about a man and his dog is put to the test in a short inspired and co-written by Alan Davies.
2.6"Shappi Khorsandi's Little Cracker: Shappi 4 Todd"Chris CottonShappi Khorsandi20 December 2011 (2011-12-20)
Someone's fondness for Tucker Jenkins goes too far in a short inspired and written by Shappi Khorsandi.
2.7"John Bishop's Little Cracker: My First Ton"John BishopJohn Bishop21 December 2011 (2011-12-21)
A Christmas job takes an unexpected direction in a short inspired, written and directed by John Bishop.
2.8"Sheridan Smith's Little Cracker: The Daltons"Paul KingMichael Wynne21 December 2011 (2011-12-21)
One little girl is destined for stardom in a short inspired by the life and times of Sheridan Smith.
2.9"Sally Lindsay's Little Cracker: My First Christmas Number One"Dewi HumphreysSarah Hooper22 December 2011 (2011-12-22)
There's no one quite like Grandma in a short inspired by the life and times of Sally Lindsay.
2.10"Sanjeev Bhaskar's Little Cracker: Papaji Saves Christmas"Sanjeev BhaskarSanjeev Bhaskar22 December 2011 (2011-12-22)
It really is a Christmas to remember in a short inspired, written and directed by Sanjeev Bhaskar.
2.11"Johnny Vegas' Little Cracker: I Was A Teenage Santa!"Johnny VegasJohnny Vegas23 December 2011 (2011-12-23)
Santa's suit needs last-minute filling in a short inspired, written and directed by Johnny Vegas.

Series 3 (2012)

# Title Directed by Written by Original airdate
3.1"Joanna Lumley's Little Cracker: Baby, Be Blonde"Joanna LumleyTessa Gibbs10 December 2012 (2012-12-10)
Nineteen-year-old Joanna Lumley is still finding her feet in the competitive world of modelling.
3.2"Rebecca Front's Little Cracker: Rainy Days & Mondays"Christine GernonRebecca Front & Jeremy Front11 December 2012 (2012-12-11)
Little Rebecca Front doesn't ever want to go back to school.
3.3"Tommy Tiernan's Little Cracker: Howler"Tommy TiernanTommy Tiernan12 December 2012 (2012-12-12)
Little Tommy Tiernan's parents are going through a rough patch and, after speaking to a therapist, his dad has been advised to unleash his inner canine and bark his stresses out.
3.4"Caroline Quentin's Little Cracker: Nutcracker"Caroline QuentinCaroline Quentin13 December 2012 (2012-12-13)
Young Kitty has the starring role in her ballet school's Christmas production of The Nutcracker and she wants more than anything for her mum to be in the audience.
3.5"Alison Steadman's Little Cracker: The Autograph"Peter CattaneoAlison Steadman & Hils Baker17 December 2012 (2012-12-17)
Sixteen-year-old Alison and her pals are understandably excited about an upcoming lunchtime gig at The Cavern Club.
3.6"Dylan Moran's Little Cracker: The Awkward Age"Ian FitzgibbonDylan Moran17 December 2012 (2012-12-17)
Dylan Moran's Son returns home from his first interview with bad news... he's been beaten up and had his mobile phone stolen.
3.7"Jason Manford's Little Cracker: A Tender Christmas"Mustapha KseibatiJason Manford18 December 2012 (2012-12-18)
Young Jason Manford is scared. At the tender age of 12, he's embarking on his first trip away from home... he's going to hospital.
3.8"Omid Djalili's Little Cracker: The Ten Year Plan - Fringe To Hollywood"Omid DjaliliOmid Djalili18 December 2012 (2012-12-18)
Omid Djalili is a 22-year-old with a plan. A one-man show will kick-start his journey to Hollywood
3.9"Paul O'Grady's Little Cracker: Boo! A Ghost Story"Peter CattaneoPaul O'Grady19 December 2012 (2012-12-19)
Controversial horror film The Exorcist has just been released and its terrifying cinema goers up and down the country. Including 18-year-old Paul O'Grady.
3.10"Katy Brand's Little Cracker: Of All The Trees"Edward DickKaty Brand19 December 2012 (2012-12-19)
When 10-year-old Katy Brand makes an earth-shattering discovery on Christmas Eve, the magic and sparkle of the festive season vanishes
3.11"Sharon Horgan's Little Cracker: The Week Before Christmas"Sharon HorganSharon Horgan20 December 2012 (2012-12-20)
Christmas on the Horgans' turkey farm is a hectic time and 14-year-old Sharon must do her share of the plucking.
3.12"Darren Boyd's Little Cracker: Le Concert de L'école"Darren BoydDarren Boyd20 December 2012 (2012-12-20)
Darren Boyd has been given a great honour, singing at his school's local Christmas concert, and he can't wait to share the news with his mum and dad.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Little Crackers". British Sky Broadcasting. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dawn French plays the Queen Mother in Little Crackers". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  3. ↑ "Stephen Fry looks back in laughter". The Press Association. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  4. ↑ Holmwood, Leigh (26 August 2009). "Bill Bailey birdwatching show to be screened on Sky1". Guardian Online. Guardian News and Media Ltd. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Little Crackers for Sky One". Silver River Productions Ltd. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  6. ↑ "Little Crackers Tiger Aspect". Tiger Aspect Productions. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  7. ↑ "Directoral Debuts from Catherine Tate, Julia Davis and Bill Bailey". Sky1.
  8. ↑ "Meera Syal 'Little Crackers' in 3D". Sky1. British Sky Broadcasting. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
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