ignore the guy who's says this is rubbish- he's a bob monkhouse fan- this isn't the same kind of humour (if you can call bob monkhouse mother in law jokes humour!) so it's no surprise that he doesn't get it....after the fast show this is the best British sketch show- forget the ever cruder and less funnier little Britain, the catch phrase based Catherine Tate, the hopelessly overrated python, the sadly dated harry enfield, the inconsistent smack the pony- this is intelligent yet stupid humour that is completely reliant on it's excellent cast.we need more stuff like this..

Warning Contains Some Spoilers!!!!!!!!The first time I saw this show I was shocked at the sheer quality of the rather a-typical sketch show format. Despite the similarities with other shows (as many previous writers have mentioned), this show did provide us with both memorable sketches and stars.Some of the sketches appeal to all people, and are somewhat standard in their BBC origin. For example Simon Pegg (as a general) explaining to a conference of people about a missile attack, whilst providing his own sound effects to the video. Whereas other sketches share more common ground with dark experimental sketch shows such as Jam. For example the sketch where Mark Heap repeatedly threatens Kevin Eldon for making references to him not being married (which included Kevin Eldon mentioning kids kicking a coke can?). Also it is impossible to provide a review of this pro gramme without mentioning the parallels between this show and Monty Python. Big Train clearly learnt and borrowed from Python's love for the completely irrelevant, for example in the second series Simon Pegg knocking over a turtle that apparently does not speak English, but does speak perfect French! As for the Stars of the show, they have gone on to some very important work with regards to British comedy. For example Mark Heap, went on to do Green Wing (one of the best new British Sitcoms), and he also did Spaced (between the two series). Simon Pegg, obviously did Spaced (between two series), Shaun of the Dead, and has more recently been cast in Mission Impossible 3 (admittedly not a direct comedy). Kevin Eldon, made numerous appearances in many of the newer comedies e.g. Spaced, Green Wing and had a co-star role in Hyperdrive (which stars Nick Frost, who also made an appearance in one of the sketches in Big Train). As for the female cast members they have also had been linked with important work. For example Catherine Tate, who is now a very common figure in family entertainment! Also Julia Davis has been linked to a number of big projects for example, The Office, and Love actually.Big train was an important comedy training ground for British talent, and whilst admittedly borrowing a few ideas from other shows (as do all comedies!) it gave us a lot of laughs.Bravo!

I had heard many good things about this program. My friend called it 'the funniest thing I have ever seen'. I heard that I had a whole host of excellent comedians and comedy actors involved in it to some degree. It even had the legend that is Simon Pegg starring! Plus the Father Ted two as as writers? This has to be comedy gold. Alas, no, the first series, the only one I have seen so far, is a major disappointment. Maybe it has suffered in my eyes by being built up too much. None-the-less, and I know this is a matter of opinion, it is just not that funny. Granted there are one or two funny sketches and some very clever idea, but nothing there to elevate Big Train above most other sketch shows. I found many sketches were drawn out and as a result died a horrible death. I'm about to watch the second series which I have been assured is vastly superior to the first. I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed.

I'm surprised to see the largely negative response to this programme.I think it's one of the best Pythonesque shows that has emerged. I watched it religiously and was hyperventilating with laughter.There are so many classic skits: Ming the Merciless hanging around his house and singing along with the telly tubbies, A Cat and a mouse having a fight after a night at the pub, show jumpers wanting to be fire fighters and, of course, the staring competition grand finals. What made the sketches so appealing was the immense absurdity of the whole thing, yet the amazing cast was able to ground it in some reality.These great actors have since emerged in shows like "Spaced" and "How do you want me?". That's an indication of what level they were at.The best show of its kind in decades. It buries "The Fast Show".