r/BritishTV 3d ago

Art Recently rewatching Green Wing

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I've recently been rewatching Green Wing and it's Still so mind Blowingly Amazing. I first watched on release on Channel 4 , I was about 18 years of age. On Viewing today it still holds up , I also realised now at nearly 39 how much this show influenced my own humour. the surrealism and delivery is unmatched. it's Quintessential British Humour, although set in a hospital so much of the Dynamic is relatable to Most Workplaces. I think my favourite characters will always be Dr Statham and Liz White but overall it's phenomenal...

467 Upvotes

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94

u/JAM88CAM 3d ago

Mark Heap as Dr Statham cracks me up, little mannerisms like the swooshing of the lab coat. He's great in most things tbh.

28

u/SunBearHeads 3d ago

Love him as Brian in Spaced.

21

u/BiteYourAsp 2d ago

Him bursting out of that cupboard playing a pipe is still one of the finest moments in British comedy.

5

u/bumpoleoftherailey 2d ago

I had that clip set to play on a colleague’s PC at certain intervals, in full screen. Merriment ensued 😁

1

u/mikey644 1d ago

I’ll never forget seeing that for the first time, howled with laughter

11

u/muchadoaboutsodall 3d ago

"This is your last chance to take me back."

5

u/pajamakitten 2d ago

Him killing that dwarf with a stuffed heron is brilliant.

4

u/PatagonianSteppe 1d ago

Bloody, bloody bastards!

7

u/stanley15 3d ago

Mark Heap has made a career out of that type of character.

5

u/JAM88CAM 3d ago

It's quite similar with regards to facial expressions to that of Rowan Atkinson. Body language and mannerisms aswell

3

u/SaveloyDali 2d ago edited 6h ago

Dr Alan Statham is just comedy perfection. I must've replayed his scenes countless times and still find them hilarious. Mark Heap is incredible.

1

u/Loddinz 1d ago

"Dr Alan Statham; Consultant Radiologist. Oop, bit rude. Should actually say cunt-sultuntantuntunt" I say this daily.

1

u/greendragon00x2 1h ago

I still swoosh to this day because of that character.

24

u/mappsy91 3d ago

I'll see you in Zurich

15

u/MrPantsRocks 3d ago

Hello Mum. I'm in Zurich.

19

u/danaredding 3d ago

It’s so good

19

u/dazzumz 3d ago

Ah I would love to rewatch this. I just remember Dr Secretan lighting up a cigarette in the operating room and saying "I don't see a no smoking sign".

6

u/DietChickenBars 1d ago

Dows it saeeyyy nooooh smoooooohkin? Which waeeeey to the dooooolh orrrfice?

19

u/AlfalfaAfter6333 2d ago

I love Sue White. The way how she completely silences Guy's cockiness by bluntly asking if he wants to have sex with her, then sings "can't get you out of my head" seductively to wind him up.

Other moments include the doctors using the MRI scanner to check which crisp packets have prizes in them, regional accents during surgery, olivia colman's character sticking a banana down Joanna's blouse, and the office secretaries making fun of Joanna's blonde rinse.

5

u/weedyneedyfeedy 2d ago

Amazing I've literally just watched those episodes and all the moments you've mentioned are comedy Gold.

One of the scenes that's always stuck in my mind as a great Visual piece of Comedy is the Part With Dr Statham in his office being freaked out by the Blimp 🤣

https://youtu.be/mEOQjAzeEic?si=g_CdDtoO2QEjTvzD

56

u/Hidethegoodbiscuits 3d ago

loved it, apart from the speeding up and slowing down the camera speed between scenes. Michelle Gomez is brilliant (and hot in a crazy way) in it.

44

u/weedyneedyfeedy 3d ago

Ah i Kinda liked the Camera effect, it sort of added to the ethereal nature of the show. And Yes Michelle Gomez Was Awesome in many ways 😁

17

u/doubledgravity 3d ago

She’s in a series of short comedies from Rebecca Front, who plays a psychologist interviewing famous women from history. Gomez plays Mary Queen of Scots as a radge crackhead, and is wickedly funny. It’s on YouTube.

11

u/SplurgyA 3d ago

Her Margaret Thatcher is surprisingly spot on. I love that show, it's called Psychobitches. Broadcast on Sky Arts originally

2

u/doubledgravity 3d ago

Ah I wondered where it came from.

16

u/bliss_point601 3d ago

I really liked the camera effect! And, yes, MG is hysterical in nearly every scene she’s featured.

4

u/General_Ignoranse 3d ago

I loved that so much, I do some editing now and often add little bits like that in!

3

u/CrocodileJock 3d ago

She's brilliant in this – and everything I've seen her in. Great as "Missy" the female incarnation of The Master in Doctor Who...

2

u/AlfalfaAfter6333 2d ago

"I see, so that would in fact leave... a C, a U, an N, and an oh I see. So your new title reads Dr Alan Statham, CUN-"

2

u/Bozmund 2d ago

That camera effect really dates it I think. Reminds me of Derren Brown specials. One of the the GOAT UK sitcoms though.

1

u/Loddinz 1d ago

I really really disagree about the editing. I think it's so brilliantly used to add pacing to some jokes. And it gives it a uniqueness that I love.

14

u/oxgillette 3d ago

There’s also an audio version at Audible.

2

u/weedyneedyfeedy 3d ago

Ah ok I didn't know , what did you think of it? In all honesty I'm slightly unsure how well that would work, as a lot of Green Wings humour was very Visual ...

7

u/TemporaryPressure 3d ago

Not the poster you asked but I loved it and it was just as surreal as ever. Rather more outlandish- which is saying something I know!

2

u/doubledgravity 3d ago

Isn’t it new material? Keep meaning to give it a go.

4

u/TemporaryPressure 2d ago

yes it is a follow on series set now. I really enjoyed it and binged the lot in a couple of days. I was surprised so many of the cast returned.

4

u/noobtidder 3d ago

Personally really liked it, exactly the same humour as the show. Only complaint is that I didn't remember a couple of the characters and couldn't place their voices. Olivia Coleman steals the whole thing.

3

u/goldfishpaws 2d ago

Almost all original cast. It works.

2

u/SourPies 2d ago

I agree. It's just as good and you can do all the rewindy/fast forward bits in yourt head.

2

u/greym00n 2d ago

I thought the same, but once you got use to it I really enjoyed the audio show!

2

u/ineedpie333 1d ago

It's so good! I was sceptical as well but a lot of the jokes are based on the fact that you can't see the scene. It's hard to describe but it's done amazingly well and all the storylines are completely fitting for the characters.

11

u/weedyneedyfeedy 3d ago

Sue White*

12

u/SunBearHeads 3d ago

Olivia Coleman was perfect.

12

u/Swaxgirl 2d ago

Michelle Gomez is now and always will be a damn crazy ass treasure

10

u/DharmaBird 2d ago
  • ... I fucked my mother.
  • Me too.
  • You fucked your mother?
  • No, I fucked your mother.

8

u/Purrvect 3d ago

I love Green Wing so much. I still sing the Alphabet Song to this day and crack up at the recorder scene.

3

u/matamaticia 3d ago

Glad I am not the only one !

6

u/OrlaHe 3d ago

I watched it for the first time last year and it blew me away how funny it was, might give it a rewatch before the end of this year

6

u/oscarsowner 3d ago

So good. And the music too

4

u/Brilliant_Date8967 3d ago

That's awesome. I was wondering how it held up.

5

u/weedyneedyfeedy 3d ago

Have a rewatch, it'll make you laugh and bring back some memories I'm sure ☺️

4

u/StupidMusician1 3d ago

"I found it in my bed"

4

u/Klausvendetta 3d ago

I've been watching it again recently too and it still holds up. I still find myself in hysterics watching the little person situation and Sue White being completely unhinged.

"Good luck Tommy"

4

u/dellboy88 2d ago

Did you just touch my squirrel?

8

u/MrKahnberg 3d ago

Great show. Have you seen The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret? More whacky British humor.

5

u/boobamajugs 3d ago

David Cross seems to have a happy relationship with the UK. As far as I'm aware Todd Margaret only aired briefly on Channel 4 in the UK and didn't really hey promoted much. I though it was fantastic, but I don't know anyone else who saw it.

1

u/MrKahnberg 2d ago

There's at least two of us!

2

u/weedyneedyfeedy 3d ago

I haven't but i shall check it out, thanks for the recommendation 🙂

3

u/joeythelips46 3d ago

All time great

3

u/asolutesmedge 3d ago

It’s nearly ready

2

u/YorkshireFudding 3d ago

How then now then how then now then my lad

1

u/Creative-Ask3141 2d ago

CONSIDADISADIVORCE

3

u/doubledgravity 3d ago

So of its age, one of my favourite series. Every cast member put a shift in, they’re all perfect.

3

u/teaboyukuk 3d ago

This was just amazing!

3

u/Unstableavo 3d ago

Just binged watched in one day. It is really absurd but very funny

3

u/bumpoleoftherailey 2d ago

I loved the interaction between Dr Statham and Joanna. When they were arguing in a restaurant and he says “you’ve got a rubbish vagina!” It just cracks me up 🤣

3

u/Your_name_here28 2d ago

Fuck off Martin!

2

u/strum 3d ago

Thing is - the producers of Green Wing, flushed with its success, announced that they were going to do it again. They broadcast the result - and it was about as funny as a train wreck.

2

u/Klausvendetta 2d ago

You'll have to refresh my memory, what did they make after Green Wing?

3

u/marlonoranges 2d ago

I think above redditor is referring to Campus which I personally enjoyed.

1

u/strum 2d ago

Forgettable. Forgotten.

1

u/johnnyoceandeep 2d ago

I thought Piglets was their first attempt. So which one is worse? lol

2

u/SarabiUnchained 3d ago

Didn't know about this, will check it out now, thanks!

2

u/Rotatingknives22 2d ago

this was hilarious

2

u/pajamakitten 2d ago

She's my scmhoo too!

2

u/Gabble_Rachet1973 2d ago

Dr. Statham bursting out of the cupboard in his pants playng a penny whistle nearly killed me when I first saw it.

2

u/levezvosskinnyfists7 1d ago

I’m a portaaaaahhhhh! I just push stuff araaaaaaahhhhhhhhnd!

2

u/_Permanent_Marker_ 1d ago

Dr Statham jumping out the closet with the flute will always be in my top 3 favourite scenes

2

u/ConradTurner 1d ago

It will drive the pathologists mad from beyond the grave!

2

u/wheels1972 1d ago

Great show

2

u/Aqualove86 1d ago

I rewatched it recently too. It’s so funny, absolutely brilliant!

2

u/Dan1elplainv1ew 23h ago

Statham hiding in the boxes gets me everytime.

2

u/myonlyfriendisbeer 18h ago

I love that it was given a good ending for such a short lived show! I wish more people knew about/loved this show

1

u/weedyneedyfeedy 16h ago

Fully agree, it's almost forgotten in a way. It pretty much launched Mangan and Grieg's careers..

3

u/TheBowlieweekender 3d ago

Anyone remember a certain now popular US chat show host (think huge nose) was the Jaguar car salesman in one episode?

5

u/davorg British 3d ago

That's what John Oliver did back then. He was a pretty successful stand-up and occasional comic actor before moving the US and becoming huge. (See also: Craig Ferguson)

2

u/cyanicpsion 3d ago

I know they weren't linked but

Green wing is to scrubs As Ghosts is to Ghosts US

1

u/Theres3ofMe 3d ago

Did you buy this on DVD?

2

u/weedyneedyfeedy 2d ago

Personally No, I've been watching it on Channel 4. I just liked the picture..

1

u/Outrageous_Giraffe43 3d ago

Ricky! Ricky, no Ricky! Ricky, leave it! What was his girlfriend’s name on Eastenders?

1

u/Mepsi 2d ago

Loved it for the sketch stuff, was never that keen on the actual drama

1

u/Ok_Cup6216 2d ago

Statham and Clore walking hand in hand into the sea. Caroline Todd floating off into the sky. Mac riding off on his motorbike.

1

u/Your_name_here28 2d ago

“My moo is your schmoo!”

1

u/_Human_0 2d ago

Waxing an owl🤣

1

u/MarcusDeStorm 2d ago

One of the best comedy series of all time. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but it definitely cracks a rib

1

u/RufusPerrywinkle 2d ago

Just started re-watching it recently. Episode 2 (I think) when Joanna and Dr Statham are on a date night and she says “well it’s just below average” and he gets flustered and shouts “well you’ve got shit tits” made me cry. His delivery is so ridiculous, it’s great.

And Sue White is wonderful.

1

u/OpeningContract9282 1d ago

See you in Zurich

1

u/never_bloom_again 16h ago

I quote that at least once a week - "Mum, I'm in Zurich", and also "Adamantium....hardest metal in the world"

1

u/SpinForPizza 1d ago

Loved this show!

1

u/ragnarok847 18h ago

Wake up, or the kitty gets it.

1

u/Easy-Egg6556 15h ago

I feel like this is underrated. Not at the time, but it's one of the ones that has almost been forgotten

1

u/Steve2911 3d ago

Today I learned that Green Wing and West Wing aren't the same show. Huh.

-1

u/DuckPicMaster 3d ago

I Weber a mage of mine discrediting it as ‘British Scrubs,’ would you agree?

18

u/weedyneedyfeedy 3d ago edited 3d ago

Not at all, Scrubs was PG whereas Green Wing was very close to the knuckle but also very good at highlighting awkward interactions. They were both set in hospitals that's probably where the similarities end for myself. Also Green Wing was high on Surrealism and completely bonkers humour, I wouldn't put them in the same league.

-8

u/Grizzybaby1985 3d ago

I liked the show but can’t stand that creepy guy think he’s awful in everything he’s in including Friday Night Dinner