April 17th 2024.
Charlie Higson recently shared some interesting details about his experience with The Fast Show, a popular sketch comedy series that he wrote and performed in for BBC Two. Despite the show's cultural impact and fan following, Charlie revealed that the royalties he receives from its availability on BBC iPlayer are not as significant as one might expect.
At 65 years old, Charlie has been a part of The Fast Show since its original run between 1994 and 1997. The show later returned with specials in 1999 and 2020, and featured the comedic talents of Paul Whitehouse, John Thomson, the late Caroline Aherne, and Mark Williams. The show's popularity even attracted a cameo from Hollywood star Johnny Depp in one episode.
Known for its fast-paced and satirical take on British society, The Fast Show was a hit with audiences and ran for four seasons. Each 30-minute episode was filled with numerous sketches, with the premiere episode alone featuring an impressive 27. Its unique style and success paved the way for future shows such as Little Britain and The Catherine Tate Show.
Despite its success, Charlie's recent revelation about the royalties from the show being available on BBC iPlayer may come as a surprise to some. In a candid post on X, he shared a document showing his earnings from the program on the platform for a period between April and December 2022 - a mere £18.84.
Accompanying the document was a tweet that seemed to reference advice he received from others, "You should make The Fast Show available on iPlayer!", "Nobody buys DVDs anymore!", "You'll make a fortune!". The humorous reactions from fans to this disclosure show that discussing money is not something that comes easily to Brits.
One fan cleverly referenced one of Charlie's characters' catchphrases, while another joked about the indirect marketing tactics. The show's popularity and influence were also evident in the use of its familiar tropes by fans, with one commenting "Skints you, sir" and another referencing a popular catchphrase, "Suits you".
Some fans even suggested that Charlie should consider releasing the show on streaming platforms like Netflix, where performers can earn a significant amount for specials. But Charlie also pointed out the importance of physical media, as subscription-based streaming services do not give viewers ownership of the content they watch.
While some fans criticized the BBC for their low payment, Charlie clarified that the amount he shared was not his entire earnings from iPlayer, but just a small portion. He also shared a photo of a whiteboard he used to plan the schedule for the show's 30th-anniversary live tour earlier this year, much to the delight of fans.
However, as much as fans begged for the whiteboard to be preserved as a piece of history, Charlie jokingly responded that he needs to start planning for his next project. The Fast Show may not be earning him a fortune on iPlayer, but its legacy lives on through devoted fans and the impact it had on British comedy.
The Agency reached out to BBC for comment, and The Fast Show is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can share them with the entertainment team by emailing or calling them directly, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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