Sharon Horgan interview
Here's a brief Q&A with Sharon Horgan...
How would you describe Big Babies?
Big Babies is Beavis and Butthead meets Steptoe and Son meets Sesame Street meets some very ugly babies.
What is your role in the show?
I am termed the 'programme consultant'. Basically I get the pleasure of watching it while it's still in development and giving my dodgy opinion. I also voice the babies' mum Carole.
What can you tell us about the character of Carole?
Carole is a great mum as long as there's a TV around. She is very over-excitable and her baby talk knows no bounds.
How did you come to be involved with Big Babies? What attracted you to the project?
My husband introduced me to Spencer and Jon a while ago and they sent me some of their films and sketches to look at. I thought they were ridiculously talented with great haircuts so I brought them to the BBC and said "look what these boys can do". Luckily the Beeb thought they were great too and Jack Cheshire, who's the head of new comedy, teamed up with CBBC's Japhet Asher who saw a great kid's show in their Big Baby sketches and it all sprang from then. What I like about working with them is that their inventiveness is always exciting and surprising and I knew that they would come up with a kid's show that would be beyond what was expected of them. And they have.
Have you done children's TV before?
I've never been involved in kid's TV before although I watch a lot of it. I found it hard to know how far you could go with kid's comedy so left that to the experts. My six-year-old daughter provided the best marker for me. Anything that made her laugh I kept a note of.
Where do you get the inspiration for your work?
What I see around me, my own hang-ups and failings and those of my friends.
What do you think children will like best about the series?
That it's funny and silly and they make up brilliant words and sing catchy songs. All kids love a good sing song.
Do you have a favourite catchphrase/scene from the show?
"Oh bongo!" It's a catchphrase I use a lot now. And any scene with Gonch is pretty memorable!
What was the most rewarding thing about working on Big Babies?
Watching the show develop over time. There were so many aspects that had to be added bit by bit before it worked as a whole but that almost made it more exciting because you could just see it getting better and better.