Early David Walliams, Peter Kay etc

An obscure comedy series which featured earlier TV appearances by the likes of David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Catherine Tate and Peter Kay is to be released on DVD for the first time.

The Channel 4 sketch series Barking, which aired in a late-night slot in the summer of 1998, featured 25 comics performing 135 sketches.

However, despite the future pedigree of its stars – which also included Omid Djalili, Mackenzie Crook, Rhys Thomas and Come Dine With Me voiceover man Dave Lamb – the show was not a ratings hit.

In the Radio Times Guide To TV Comedy, critic Mark Lewisohn said ‘the ideas with good potential were buried under a mountain of mediocrity… the show’s clash of styles, pacing and mood worked heavily against them’.

However, among stand-out characters he cites Marcus Brigstocke’s psychotic airline pilot and David Walliams’s insane royal watcher.

The three-hour DVD is being released by Acorn Media on November 7, priced £9,99 – click here to preorder.

Published: 12 Sep 2011