Marc Wootton

Isn't Hollywood a hoot? That's the rationale behind this new show from funnyman Marc Wootton, who plays three Brits determined to make it big in LA. Talentless filmmaker Brendan, wannabe action hero Gary and disgraced psychic Shirley Ghostman ruffle feathers wherever they go. The twist is that Wootton is the only one acting, whereas the producers, directors and casting agents that he befuddles are genuine, unwittingly going about their business. Deadpan narration from The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt completes the set-up, and the result is surprisingly effective. It's already proved a hit Stateside, with Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David giving it a thumbs-up.

La La Land Review

What is great about characters like Ali G and Borat is their ability to expose the hypocrisy and stupidity of the people their with. Marc Wootton just exposes the stupidity of his own characters and we already knew that from the outset. There's nothing enduringly amusing at people getting annoyed at annoying people. It's the first in the series though, so it's worth keeping an eye on to see if his characters pull anything with a little more depth out of the bag.

The latest vehicle from cult comedian Marc Wootton, who doesn't so much possess balls of steel as nuts of purest kryptonite. In the guise of three wannabees (including fake psychic Shirley Ghostman) he jets into LA and wastes everybody's time, leaving real-life publicists, producers and acting coaches hollow-eyed, burnt-out wraiths after their encounters. Even Sacha Baron Cohen must draw the line somewhere, but Wootton regularly scampers back and forth across that line like a happy puppy.

Anyone remember BBC3 series High Spirits With Shirley Ghostman? Back in 2005, the fake medium, played by comedian Marc Wootton, raised merry hell on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross with some extremely offensive jokes about cancer patients.

Well, Shirley's back from the dead tonight in this hilarious new comedy series which sees Wootton playing three Brits who are all trying to make their mark in H­ollywood. As well as Shirley, there are wannabe documentary maker Brendan Allen and Gary Garner, an East London taxi driver who reckons he's got what it takes to be the next Jason Statham.

Taking a massive leaf out of Borat's book, all the people Shirley, Gary and Brendan meet in Los Angeles are real and have absolutely no idea they're being set up. It makes for some fantastically cringe-worthy encounters, for instance when we watch Brendan (a cross between Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock) pitching his idea for what he thinks is a brand-new kind of shark documentary to an incredulous and increasingly exasperated producer.

And wideboy Gary somehow befriends veteran actrees Ruta Lee and blags himself studio time with A-list ­snapper Lennon, whose patience quickly wears thinner than a size-zero supermodel. Shirley, meanwhile, has actually talked his way into getting an actual publicist on board to help him escape the scandal he left behind back in the UK.

La La Land is a genius idea, brilliantly executed and we can't wait to see what this talentless trio gets up to next.

Monday night's episode of Marc Wootton's hilarious Showtime comedy will make you laugh until you hate yourself.

If you've ever had an urge to push your rock-climbing buddy off the nearest cliff, then this very special murder-themed episode of Showtime's La La Land is just for you. Previewed in exquisite detail here, the second episode of Marc Wootton's stunning Borat-like comedy show is so deliciously evil that you simply cannot miss it, from the moment when an unwitting producer gives aspiring filmmaker Brendan Allen's plan to catch "blood splattering on the lens" a thumbs up to the deeply uncomfortable denouement, in which local park rangers arrive at the scene.

Interview: 'La La Land' star Marc Wootton

In the tradition of such character comics as Sacha Baron Cohen who has made a career out of playing Borat or Ali G, English comedian Marc Wootton brings three of his very unique characters to Los Angeles and films the interactions between the characters and the unknowing public with often hilarious results.

Marc Wootton Travels to Showtime's La La Land

The first thing Marc Wootton mentions when he talks about his new Showtime comedy series La La Land is Sacha Baron Cohen aka Ali G aka Borat aka Bruno.

Marc Wootton rejects Sacha Baron Cohen comparison

Marc Wootton has rejected claims that he could be the new Sacha Baron Cohen.

Guerrilla Comic Invades Los Angeles

FOR someone like Marc Wootton even the simplest query - "How did your new Showtime series come about?" - can be an excuse for theatrical digression.

Interview: Marc Wootton ('La La Land')

For those not acquainted, allow us to introduce you to Marc Wootton: comedian, actor and occasional cross-dresser.