The Brittas Empire

This is probably in my favourite top 3 sitcoms from the 1990's.

The character of Gordon Brittas played by the wonderful Chris Barrie is probably one of the best sitcom characters of all-time.

Anyone who likes British comedy but has yet to see this series, i'd recommend they seek this out because it is brilliant (virtually every episode)!

i'd love to see the cast & writers return for a new series.

Chris Barrie is probably more famous for playing Rimmer in "Red Drawf" but the Brittas Empire is his best work in my opinion.

Each episode is totally mad & far from boring!

I think there is one line that sums up this fantastic Brittish show: "Last year we had 600 people visit this centre and I am proud to say that 500 went home uninjured"- Mr Brittas During the Episode "Exposed".

Gordon Brittas, the manager of Whitbury leisure centre, has a lot in common with the legendary Basil Fawlty of "Fawlty Towers". He lacks any sensitivity to anyone else, never listens to anyone and always knows best what should be done. Of course, the results of his actions are usually similar to the ones Basil gets. Each and every episode ends in some kind of a catastrophe, or to put it in Gordon's words: "I'm proud to say that in the entire history of Whitbury leisure centre, only 23 people were killed and none of them was a staff member" (quoted from memory).

I tried not to like the Brittas Empire, writing it off as just a banal offering churned out from the comedy mill at the BBC. But as I viewed more I began to see Gordon Brittas as a train wreck that you could just not avert your eyes from. Everyone, including the viewers are in the joke except him because he is the joke Gordon is a well-meaning do-it-by-the-book type of manager of a Sports Centre who thinks of everything except doing the one thing that a manager should do and that is to ensure that the customers enjoy themselves. Everyone sees his flaws; his staff, his customers even his hypochondriac wife, everyone except himself and his loyal if somewhat smelly acolyte, Colin. Nonetheless, there is a noble, virtuous streak in him which redeems him and makes him above all else a sympathetic character. After the first season, the writers got to grips with the character and placed him in even more embarrassing scenarios and he continued to grow ever more unaware of his wife's adultery, her pill popping, the staff's gay relationships and the fact that the receptionist is clearly delusional and keeps her two children hidden in a cupboard behind the reception desk. Clearly, the Brittas Empire is not as well observed as the David Brent's Office and is not quite as hopeless and error prone as Frank Spencer but as an iconic representation of post Thatcherite Essex Man you could not wish for more

First of all, I find it hard to believe that this launched way back in 1991. Apart from the cars and clothes, it hasn't dated, the humour has remained raucous, relevant and divinely silly. Politically things have of course changed, and the thought of a Leisure Centre actually opening is almost now unthinkable.

Made during a time where the abiilty to create big characters was very much there, and whilst you can perhaps argue that Gordon Brittas wasn't as big as say Victor Meldrew, for many he was.

Chris Barrie was terrific as the majestically annoying Brittas, he had to ability to make you laugh, and feel utterly irritated in unison. Incredibly well written, it was hugely funny, with big characters, Carole and Colin in particular.

Watching it now, it stands up to the test of time. It is very funny indeed. 8/10