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| Gavin & Stacey | |
|---|---|
 Gavin & Stacey title card |
|
| Format | Comedy-drama Romantic comedy |
| Written by | James Corden Ruth Jones |
| Directed by | Christine Gernon |
| Starring | Mathew Horne Joanna Page James Corden Ruth Jones Larry Lamb Alison Steadman Rob Brydon Melanie Walters |
| Opening theme | "Run" by Stephen Fretwell |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 18 + 2 Shorts (as of 10 December 2009) (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Henry Normal Lindsay Hughes |
| Producer(s) | Ted Dowd |
| Camera setup | Film, Single camera |
| Running time | 13x 30mins 1x 60mins 2x 8mins |
| Production company(s) | Baby Cow Productions |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC Three (Series 1 & 2) BBC One (2008 Christmas Special & Series 3) |
| Picture format | PAL (576i) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original run | 13 May 2007 – 1 January 2010 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Horne & Corden Lesbian Vampire Killers (Film) |
Gavin & Stacey is a BBC comedy-drama starring Mathew Horne and Joanna Page as the title characters. The series is written by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who also co-star in the show as Gavin and Stacey's friends Smithy and Nessa. The series is produced by Baby Cow Productions.
The first series (six episodes) chronicled the developing romance of the two lead characters and ended with their marriage. The second series (seven episodes) began with two back-to-back episodes on 16 March 2008 on BBC Three.[1] Both series originally aired on BBC Three and were later shown on BBC Two and BBC One; the Christmas special was aired on the latter channel.
Although the programme is set in Billericay, Essex, and Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, the three series were shot largely in Cardiff (which acted as the city itself but also as parts of Billericay), and also in Barry itself and the surrounding area, including Dinas Powys, Sully and Penarth.
In 2009 Gavin and Stacey's Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones recorded a Comic Relief single alongside Tom Jones in character as Bryn West and Nessa Jenkins.[2]
The third series began 26 November 2009 and ends on 1 January 2010 on BBC One.[3]
Contents |
Characters
Main characters
- Gavin Shipman (Mathew Horne) - Gavin is 28 and is an only child who used to live with his mother and father in Billericay, Essex but now lives with Stacey in Barry Island in Wales. His best friend, Smithy, with whom Gavin plans to drink every variety of beer in the world, lived just down the street. Gavin is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur (as is Mathew Horne) and is often seen wearing his Spurs shirt.
- Stacey Shipman (née West) (Joanna Page) - Stacey is 27 and is from Barry, near Cardiff. Her father, Trevor, died three years ago, and she lived at home with her mother in Barry until her marriage. Her gay brother, Jason, lives in Spain. She has been engaged six times but married only once, to Gavin. She confides frequently in her best friend, Nessa. Stacey tries for a baby at the beginning of season 3.
- Neil "Smithy" Smith (James Corden) - Smithy is 28 and Gavin's best friend, and they've known each other since primary school. He loves Gavin's parents more than his own, and has an unseen girlfriend called Lucy, who, according to Smithy, is seventeen years and three quarters old. He loves unusual beer, paintball and West Ham United. When Nessa gives birth to their son, they name him Neil after himself and Nessa's father.
- Vanessa "Nessa" Shanessa Jenkins (Ruth Jones) - Nessa is Stacey's best friend, also from Barry. She discovers she is pregnant in the fourth episode of series 1, and it is later revealed that Smithy is the father. She speaks fluent Italian and Welsh, has several tattoos, is a chain smoker (until her pregnancy) and was one of the original members of All Saints (but didn't get along with Shaznay). She works at the Barry Island Amusement Arcades or "The Slots". Nessa regularly recalls strange and often lewd experiences with celebrities. She gives birth to baby Neil in the Series Finale of Series 2 and becomes engaged to Dave Coaches in the 2008 Christmas special. Nessa's age is unknown throughout the show even to Stacey. To date she has slept with Gavin's best friend Smithy 4 times. Her commonly used words are 'Ohhhh', 'Tidy', 'Genuine', 'Truth be told' and 'What's occurring?'.
- Michael "Mick" Shipman (Larry Lamb) - Mick is Gavin's father. He is often mistaken to be 53 and is a down-to-earth bloke, like his son. He's happy with his life — running his own company, playing golf and going to the pub quiz every Tuesday. He is something of a calming influence on his wife.
- Pamela "Pam" Andrea Shipman (née Griggell-Eschefska) (Alison Steadman) — Pam is Gavin's proud and doting mother. She is in her early fifties, typical of the Essex wife stereotype and is very house-proud. She is also very caring of Smithy, Gavin's best friend, and treats him as if he were her own son. Pamela adores Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and acts out sexual fantasies of Charles and Camilla with Mick. Conversely, she hates Princess Diana.
- Bryn West (Rob Brydon) - Bryn is Stacey and Jason's uncle. He is the brother of Stacey's deceased father, Trevor, and is single in his late forties. He lives across the road from Gwen and Stacey and is very protective of them, although has a strained relationship with his nephew Jason due to an unspecified incident on a fishing trip. He leads a very simple life and often gets excited about trivial things such as his Sat Nav and the Internet. He also enjoys typically female-oriented TV shows such as Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City. He is also a keen singer and sings with Nessa. He has a gym in his house that is 'the talk of the town'.
- Gwen West (Melanie Walters) - Gwen is Stacey's mother. She is a widow in her late forties and has two children, Jason and Stacey. She is a housewife and regularly offers to cook omelettes.
Other characters
- David "Dave" Lloyd "Coaches" (Steffan Rhodri) - Coach driver in Barry and Nessa's fiancé (engaged in Christmas special). Aspersions are made about his sexual health in Series 1, although it is revealed in Series 2 that he has been to "the clinic". He is the only person, other than Bryn and Jason, who knows what happened on the fishing trip. He also has his own company named Dave Coaches. He often shows jealousy towards Smithy for being the dad of Nessa's child. Smithy gets jealous of him for always spending time with his son and treating him like his own.
- Jason West (Robert Wilfort) - Stacey's elder brother, son of Gwen and her late husband, Trevor. Lives in Spain with his boyfriend, José. He and Bryn share a rather awkward relationship due to some mysterious goings-on on the fateful fishing trip. He is disappointed in the first series when Gavin and Stacey get married and he is not chosen to take Stacey down the aisle
- Pete Sutcliffe (Adrian Scarborough) and Dawn "Dawny" Sutcliffe (Julia Davis) - Friends of Pam and Mick Shipman. They have a very strained marriage and regularly insult each other in public. Also part of the ongoing joke that characters share their surnames with serial killers — in this case Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. He punches Dave in the Christmas special. He also attempts a 3 way in the beginning of series 2 with his wife Dawn and a man from Ghana, Seth. It didn't work out as Seth said the photo was not representative as them as a couple. They have 2 children, Fiona and Alex.
- Catherine "Cath" Smith (Pam Ferris) - Smithy's mother who first appears in the first episode of Series 3. She is rumoured to have had a lesbian relationship with the headteacher of Gavin and Smithy's primary school. She is very depressed and doesn't care very much about anything to do with her son. She also falls asleep at her grandson's christening.
- Doris "Dor" (Margaret John) - Gwen's elderly next door neighbour, she has a daughter named Moira, who she never got on with. Doris spotted the unfortunate coincidence of sharing the West and Shipman surnames with serial murderers Fred and Rosemary West and Harold Shipman. She dates younger men and is described by Bryn as a player. She has also offered herself up to Gavin for 'discreet' extramarital relations.
- Ruth "Rudi" Smith (Sheridan Smith) - Smithy's sister, also likes to be called "Smithy" in an attempt to imitate her brother, with whom she often fights.
- Neil Jenkins (Ifan Huw Dafydd)[4][5]- Nessa's father; appears at the Christening but is obviously uncomfortable at being back in Barry. He is a part time actor who has appeared as an extra in "Lark Rise to Candleford"
- Dick Powell (Gwynfor Roberts) The only exclusively Welsh-speaking inhabitant of Barry. Sells satellite navigation systems and enjoys chicken and Glamorgan sausage sandwiches.
Awards
Gavin & Stacey has won 6 awards out of 10 nominations in total, two of which were won at the British Academy Television Awards 2008.[6]
Awards & Nominations:
| Date | Awards Ceremony | Award Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 April 2008 | British Academy Television Awards 2008 | Best Comedy Performance | James Corden (Smithy) | Won |
| Sky+ Audience Award | Gavin & Stacey | Won | ||
| 26 April 2009 | British Academy Television Awards 2009 | Best Comedy Performance | Rob Brydon (Bryn West) | Nominated |
| 5 December 2007 | British Comedy Awards 2007 | Best New British TV Comedy | Gavin & Stacey | Award Won |
| Best Male Comedy Newcomer | James Corden (Smithy) | |||
| Best Female Comedy Newcomer | Ruth Jones (Nessa) | |||
| Best New TV Comedy | Gavin & Stacey | Nominated | ||
| Best TV Comedy Actress | Ruth Jones (Nessa) | |||
| Best Male Comedy Newcomer | Mathew Horne (Gavin) | |||
| Best Female Comedy Newcomer | Joanna Page (Stacey) | |||
| 5 December 2008 | British Comedy Awards 2008 | Best TV Comedy | Gavin & Stacey | Award Won |
Ratings
| Episode (series 1) |
Premiere Date | No. of viewers |
|---|---|---|
| Series 1 Episode 1 | 13 May 2007 | 543,000[7] |
| Series 1 Episode 2 | 13 May 2007 | 588,000[7] |
| Series 1 Episode 3 | 20 May 2007 | 550,000[8] |
| Series 1 Episode 4 | 27 May 2007 | 557,000[9] |
| Series 1 Episode 5 | 3 June 2007 | 544,000[10] |
| Series 1 Episode 6 | 10 June 2007 | 569,190 |
| Episode (series 2) |
Premiere Date | No. of viewers |
| Series 2 Episode 1 | 16 March 2008 | 1,894,000[11] |
| Series 2 Episode 2 | 16 March 2008 | 1,869,000[12] |
| Series 2 Episode 3 | 23 March 2008 | 1,480,000[12] |
| Series 2 Episode 4 | 30 March 2008 | 1,799,000[13] |
| Series 2 Episode 5 | 6 April 2008 | 1,601,000[14] |
| Series 2 Episode 6 | 13 April 2008 | 1,401,000[15] |
| Series 2 Episode 7 | 20 April 2008 | 1,354,000[16] |
| Episode (specials) |
Premiere Date | No. of viewers |
| Christmas Special | 24 December 2008 | 7,190,000[17] |
| Episode (series 3) |
Premiere Date | No. of viewers |
| Series 3 Episode 1 | 26 November 2009 | 6,414,000[18] |
On 25 December 2008, a documentary 12 Days of Christmas was screened by BBC Three. It followed the making of the Christmas episode, and was shown in two versions, one of 30 minutes [19] and one of 45 minutes.[20]
Series Three
There was uncertainty over whether a third series would be produced. The writers said that they did not want the show to become predictable, and that they would see how the Christmas special turned out.[21]
In December 2008, Corden revealed he didn't know whether the sitcom would return for a third series, as he was working on the US adaptation with Ruth Jones.[22] Shortly afterwards, Ruth Jones announced a third series on her final BBC Radio Wales Sunday Brunch radio show. Towards the end of the show, she asked James Corden if they should do another series to which he replied "I'm in if you are", shaking hands and promising the audience that they would.[23][24] Even though this is the final series, Ruth Jones has hinted there may be some further specials.[25]
According to the BBC Press Office website, the next series is on BBC1 on 26 November 2009 at 9pm, and has the description "Gavin starts his new job and the move to Barry Island means big changes for the whole family. Pam and Mick have to adjust to an empty nest and Gwen's got a full house again. Stacey's in her element, but will this finally be the solution to the couple's long-distance problem? And how will Gavin actually take to living in Wales?
Smithy questions their friendship along with his own role as father to baby Neil; with Dave Coaches on the scene and now engaged to Nessa, will Smithy be pushed out of the frame? And how will life in a caravan work out for Nessa and her soon-to-be husband?"[26]
Series 3 began on 26 November 2009 on BBC One.[3]
The complete Series 3 was released in the UK on DVD on 7 December 2009,[27] before the whole series has aired on television.
Music
The credits theme to Gavin & Stacey is "Run", by Stephen Fretwell.
The Libertines' single "Don't Look Back into the Sun" was used repeatedly throughout the first two series.
The song "Substitute" by Frank Turner has also featured on a few occasions in Series 2 & 3.
The music used during the wedding ceremony in the climax to the first series is "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. The song "You Could Be Happy" was also used in episode six of season two.
The music used throughout episode 1, Series 3 is "No you didn't, No you don't" by The Courteeners.
For Gwen's birthday barn dance, Bryn and Nessa do a duet of "Islands In The Stream". They would later release it as a single for Comic Relief
Overseas
NBC planned to make an adapted American version of Gavin and Stacey. In a television interview, Ruth Jones commented that the American version could have Gavin coming from New Jersey and Stacey from South Carolina.[28] Now, ABC is developing the potential series.[29] On The Paul O'Grady Show on 13 November 2009, Joanna Page said that the only change in character names is "Gail and Brian" instead of "Gwen and Bryn" for the US version.
In Ireland, the show began airing on RTÉ Two on 3 July 2008.
In New Zealand, season one began playing on TV ONE on 27 June 2008.
In Canada, the series is airing on BBC Canada.
In the United States, Gavin and Stacey premiered on BBC America on 26 August 2008, series one and two were shown back to back.
In Israel, the series is airing on Yes Stars Comedy.
In Australia, the first episode was aired on the Seven Network and affiliates in New South Wales and Queensland on 14 February 2009. The show was dropped from the schedule after only one screening, but was aired again on the 21 July 2009 on Seven HD, a sister channel. and now has begin airing on UK-TV as of 4 August 2009.
In Belgium / Flanders, the series is airing on Acht.
DVD releases
Series 1, 2 and the 2008 Christmas special have been released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 2, also series 1 has been released on UMD. A box set of the first two series has also been released on DVD. Series 1 has also been released in regions 1 and 4.
Series 3 was released in the UK on 7 December 2009, before all episodes had been broadcast on TV, as BBC Worldwide wished to make it available commercially in time for Christmas. Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster accused BBC Worldwide of "devaluing the licence fee".[30]
| DVD Title | Discs | Year | Episodes | DVD release | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | |||||||
| DVD | Blu-ray | UMD | |||||||
| Complete Series 1 | 1 | 2007 | 6 | 5 May 2009 | 29 October 2007 | 19 October 2009 | 27 April 2009 | 2 April 2009 | |
| Complete Series 2 | 2 | 2008 | 7 | — | 10 November 2008 | 19 October 2009 | — | — | |
| Christmas Special | 1 | 2008 | 1 | — | 6 April 2009 | 19 October 2009 | — | — | |
| Complete Series 3 | 2 | 2009 | 6 | — | 7 December 2009 | 7 December 2009 [31] | — | — | |
| Complete Series 1 & 2 | 3 | 2007 - 2008 | 13 | — | 10 November 2008 | — | — | — | |
| Complete Series 1 - 3 | 6 | 2007 - 2009 | 20 | — | 7 December 2009 [32] | 7 December 2009 [33] | — | — | |
References
- ^ "Programme Information Network TV Week 12". ABC Press Office. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk12/sun.shtml#sun_gands. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
- ^ "Gavin and Stacey News". TV.com. http://www.tv.com/tom-jones-to-sing-with-gavin-and-stacey-stars/story/12582.html?tag=news_list;title;4. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
- ^ a b Gavin & Stacey Series 3, confirmed to start 26th November
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Bafta TV Awards 2008: The winners". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302291.stm. Retrieved 20 April 2008.
- ^ a b "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 13/05/07". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30&weeker=2992. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 20/05/07". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30&weeker=2993. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 27/05/07". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30&weeker=2994. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 03/06/07". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30&weeker=2995. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 16/03/08". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
- ^ a b "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 16/03/08". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 30/03/08". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 06/04/08". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 13/04/08". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
- ^ "BARB — Weekly Viewing Summary — Multichannel Top 10 - week ending 20/04/08". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
- ^ Select 2008 December dates 22 - 28
- ^ Select 2009 November dates 23 - 29
- ^ 12 Days Of Christmas
- ^ Gavin and Stacey: 12 Days Of Christmas
- ^ "Gavin & Stacey creators say there may not be a third series | Media | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/21/bbc.television1?gusrc=rss&feed=media. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ "Television — News - 'Gavin & Stacey' future 'uncertain'". Digital Spy. 20 December 2008. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a138973/gavin--stacey-future-uncertain.html. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ Gavin and Stacey ready to return
- ^ Gavin & Stacey to return for third series
- ^ Joanna Page Interview
- ^ Coming Soon
- ^ Play.com Gavin & Stacey Series 3
- ^ Sherwin, Adam (6 March 2008). "Gavin & Stacey to be given US remake". The Times. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3495129.ece. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Television — Interview — Ruth Jones ('Gavin & Stacey')". Digital Spy. 18 December 2008. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a138816/ruth-jones-gavin--stacey.html. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ Daily Mail Reporter (8 December 2009). "BBC slammed for releasing Gavin & Stacey DVD before show has finished TV run". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1234032/BBC-slammed-releasing-Gavin--Stacey-DVD-finished-TV-run.html.
- ^ Series 3: Blu-ray
- ^ Series 1-3: DVD
- ^ Series 1-3: Blu-ray
External links
- Gavin & Stacey at BBC Online
- Gavin & Stacey at the Internet Movie Database
- Gavin And Stacey at British TV Comedy
- British Comedy Guide
- Radio Times - Gavin and Stacey
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