11 comedians create short films for Sky's Little Crackers 2
The line-up has been announced for the second series of Little Crackers, Sky's festive series of semi-autobiographical short comic films written by and starring some of Britain's top comedy stars. In total there will be 11 episodes this year...
Harry Hill has created a film which tells the fictional tale of when he and his Thai bride go to Africa to adopt a puppet child, whose maverick guitar skills lead to him becoming a Jimmy Hendrix impersonator.
Johnny Vegas has written an episode about his dad who drops out of playing Father Christmas at their local church's Christmas fayre. It's left to 13-year old Johnny to step up to the plate and fill the role.
Another of the Little Crackers will observe a young John Bishop working in his dad's small factory making teddy bears. When the supplier does not pay the bill, the workers are paid in bears, causing a frenzy to sell them door-to-door before Christmas arrives.
In her film, a young Barbara Windsor finds herself embarrassed by her developing physique and, with her mum in tow, takes a trip her first bra fitting. Windsor takes a cameo role in this film as the kindly lingerie fitter.
Two Pints Of Lager star Sheridan Smith has also written a film about her childhood. Tired of being left at home with her big brothers and boring babysitter as her parents head out to perform their country and western gigs, a small Sheridan devises a plan to escape and gatecrash the gig.
Spirited child Jack Whitehall wishes his dad would buy him a Barbie doll for his birthday. Prone to being somewhat of a self-confessed drama queen, Jack takes to the road after his material girl doesn't materialise. But in a chance encounter, Robin Hood (who will be played by Whitehall) imparts some father-son wisdom that brings the pair closer together.
Also in the series will be films written by Mount Pleasant star Sally Lindsay, Goodness Gracious Me's Sanjeev Bhaskar, QI regular and Whites actor Alan Davies, Trollied's Jane Horrocks and stand-up Shappi Khorsandi.
Vegas, Hill, Bishop and Bhaskar will direct their episodes, in addition to writing them.
Little Crackers 2 has been commissioned by Sky's Head of Comedy, Lucy Lumsden, following a successful debut for the idea last Christmas, when twelve short films were screened, created by the likes of Victoria Wood, Catherine Tate, Stephen Fry, Bill Bailey and Dawn French.
Little Crackers is the latest in a string of comedy commissions by Sky, as the satellite broadcaster aims to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years. By 2014, it is estimated Sky will be investing £600 million a year in homegrown programmes. Aside from Little Crackers, the network has recently also announced extended-length recommissions for its light hearted comedy drama Mount Pleasant and supermarket-based sitcom Trollied.
Other new Sky comedies on the way include The Cafe, a sitcom co-written by Royle Family star Ralf Little; Stella, a comedy drama starring Ruth Jones; school-run set sitcom Gates, which will feature an ensemble cast including Joanna Page; and Charlie Brooker's detective spoof A Touch Of Cloth.
Talking about Little Crackers 2, Sky's Lucy Lumsden says: "It is set to be one of the highlights this Christmas season. We have some of the best actors and comedians serving up some brilliant comedy shorts - perfect for the cosy winter nights."
Little Crackers 2 will be broadcast this December on Sky1.