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People Like Us is a British comedy programme, a spoof on-location documentary (or mockumentary) written by John Morton, and starring Chris Langham as Roy Mallard, an inept interviewer. Originally a radio show for BBC Radio 4 in three series from 1995 to 1997, it was made into a television series for BBC TWO between September 1999 and June 2000.
Following three series of six episodes each on Radio 4, only twelve TV episodes have been created so far. Each episode features Roy Mallard interviewing a representative of a certain career/lifestyle in his inimitable manner, and follows their naive, humorous or satiric remarks to their illogical conclusion to great amusement.
Even in the TV version Mallard is barely seen: he is usually just out of sight and there are hints that he is distressingly ugly—his interviewees are usually surprised to find that he is married—though eagle-eyed viewers can spot him, or part of him, in every episode.
The style of the show shares a lot in common with such programmes as Brass Eye, The Day Today and This is Spinal Tap.
Mr. Langham has since used this format in advertisements for the BBC's Licence Fee direct debit payment scheme, commercial radio advertising and most recently, in a voiceover for a Renault Megane advert, in which he describes the backside in his inimitable manner.
Apparently, John Morton was looking for an actor for quite a while, "someone like Chris Langham," but until someone actually suggested Chris Langham, the role of Roy Mallard was uncast. As a radio show, the programme has twice been named Best Radio Comedy at the British Comedy Awards.
The first series was released on VHS and DVD on September 16, 2002. The second series was due to be released in 2003 but the date was repeatedly put back and the title eventually disappeared from the BBC's release schedule altogether. At present there do not appear to be any plans to release it.
External links
People Like Us is also the pseudonym of the musician Vicki Bennett; see People Like Us (musician).
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