Asylum
– Asylum is a British comedy series which was shown on Paramount Comedy Channel in 1996. Set in a ment..
Asylum is a British comedy series which was shown on Paramount Comedy Channel in 1996. Set in a mental asylum, it ran for one series of six episodes. Unlike traditional sitcoms or comedy television shows, it was to some extent an opportunity for stand-up routines by various comedians, mixed with an overall story involving much black humour. It is significant for involving a large number of British comedians, many who have gone on to work on some of the most successful comedy programmes of the last decade. It marked the first collaboration of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, who would go on to make cult sitcom Spaced. Many of the characters names were the same as those of the actors who portrayed them.
David Devant & His Spirit Wife were the "house band" for the series, performing segments in every episode, from their first album, Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous. The lead-in track "Ginger" served as the programme's title music.
The series has yet to be released on DVD; however, the full episodes are viewable on Norman Lovett's website.
English
Julian Barratt, Adam Bloom, Norman Lovett, Paul Morocco
Surreal black comedy about an assortment of odd characters trapped in an asylum, in a quiet English countryside. It is run by staff whose sanity is decidedly suspect, as proved by their admission of the local pizza-delivery boy for trumped-up reasons. As the patients try bizarre escapes, we are left wondering whether the whole thing is a massive experiment, or just a cruel hoax.