The Catherine Tate Show

Little Britain is a very funny sketch show but it is nowhere near as well observed as Catherine's masterpiece. Compare Vicky Pollard and Lauren. Many assume that Lauren is Catherine's attempt to imitate and cash in on Lucas's Pollard. But the character of Lauren was invented long before that of Pollard and is a far richer observation of today's inarticulate, low-aspiring youth. Pollard is a much more surreal character, someone who wouldn't be of place in Royston Vasey. Lauren however is scarily real.

Also the 'Nan' is possibly the second funniest 'Nan' creation in recent times, second only to the slightly more sublimity that is 'Nanna' in The Royle Family.

In fact, the majority of sketches on the Catherine Tate Show are very strong. It is just that people assume that a show that has so many different sketches with such a limited number of performers will be stale, but it's not. In fact, it's fantastic.

I beg to differ with the other IMDb-er who finds this show, and Catherine Tate, unfunny, trite, and so forth.

Her show comes through on BBC America on my TV cable service and I only recently discovered it. It might help if I had a slightly sharper ear for British accents, especially those of the "lower classes" (no offense intended), but I have no doubt that this lady is an extremely gifted comic actress, a virtual chameleon (assisted by some extraordinarily talented makeup artists), who has provided some of the most solid laughs I've enjoyed in some time.

In my book she's right up there with her fellow Brits, Mollie Sugden, Paricia Routledge, et al. and her Canadian counterparts, Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara. And let's not forget an American, the inimitable Joan Cusack, who deserves her place right alongside her peers from outside our borders. My enthusiastic compliments to you all, ladies!

I totally disagree with the previous reviewer's comments, although obviously it all comes down to taste in the end.

Catherine Tate is a brilliant comedian. Some of the characters are so spot on it's spooky. Who can believe that the elderly character Nan is being portrayed by the same actress who portrays the sullen schoolgirl Lauren? OK, not all the sketches are as funny but it is worth watching for the absolutely hysterical moments that punctuate this show. Timing is brilliant and some of the characters will I am sure become classics. In the new series the hit rate is even better!

I think Catherine Tate deserves to be called the new Queen of Comedy!

First of all i want to say this - how is the use of catchphrases on this show "unfunny and trite" when Little Britain (which also does it) is "better executed"? Double Standards here.

Personally, i think this show is FAN-TASTIC! Some of the characters are so accurate, its actually scary. I'm 17, and i go 2 school with several people like Lauren, who are rude and sullen (and i can openly admit that i'm like that sometimes as well!) As Ms Tate has been performing this character in her stand-up shows for years, exactly how is she a rip-off of Vicky Pollard. I think thats the generic response from people who haven't actually seen the show but pan it for the sake of it. Yes Vicky and LAuren are alike, but Vicky is more of a caricature than Lauren - you cant go anywhere in a modern British city without seeing a Lauren! However, i think that Vicky and LAuren should meet in a special sketch, as that would be interesting!

Ms Tate is a virtual chameleon, and her set of hilarious characters include Nan, who is scarily like every old person in this country; the housewife who screams at everything - a classic case of a simple joke that works every time; randy Irish nurse Bernie with her great accent and laugh; the middle-class mother ("Daddy has not been able to pick up some Brie today, darlings" "But Mummy, there is some Wensleydale in the cupboard") who again i'm sure everyone knows; Allie who always puts her foot in it at parties; Amanda the TGI Friday's waitress; the hilariously effeminate Derek Leslie Faye ("WHAT are you insinuating?!" "Just because I shave my eyebrows and listen to Judy Garland, doesn't mean i'm a back-door Deirdre!") who gets in a hissy fit every time someone suggests he's gay; the banal Essex couple who find the most normal thing funny; and in Series one, the rude Estate Agent ("You're a disgrace to ur profession!" "Dont be ridiculous! I'm an Estate Agent!" {laughs crazily}) and the drunk Bride in series 2!

However, can someone answer me this = whats the deal with the burger van people? I never have got that one.

Along with Little Britain, this is one of the best new TV sketch shows i have ever seen!

All in all, Ms Tate, your show is superb, and i think you were robbed at the recent British comedy awards!

I think Catherine is great! i had the pleasure of going to watch the show yesterday and laughed all the way through. she is very professional but also very funny. In one scene she had to open her top and she'd stuck a picture of hairy man boobs on her chest. We cracked up!! then i met her after the show and she is so natural and down to earth. I don't think it's fair people dissing her and saying she's untalented because she is v.v.v.v talented and funny!!! She has been credited as the new dawn French and to be honest if you can be the new DF, then you have to be very special! I also suggest that you watch the new series as it is funnier than all the others. Well done, Catherine!