(P)erfect (V)ocal (C)aricatures

[Background: The latest talent to belatedly make his mark on prime-time television is Alistair McGowan, an impressionist, who for many years only ever seemed to appear behind the scenes on radio or providing voiceovers for shows like Spitting Image. His only brief screen appearances were at the end of the football season or as part of the Sports Personality of the Year awards night. However, McGowan now seems to have firmly established himself as a true star. Currently showing his second 'Big Impression' series, the BBC has finally recognised the talent and potential of this hard working and highly amusing entertainer.]

If like me, you like a fairly sedentary evening at home on a Sunday ahead of yet another week with your nose to the grindstone, then you may also have found the urge to tune into BBC1 at 8:30 pm.

In the latest series, Alistair McGowan has brought back many of the original characters from the extremely successful first series, as well as whole host of new additions to his impressive repertoire:

The list of his current 'spot-on' impressions and characterisations includes:

- Dot Cotton
- Richard Madeley (with Judy Finnegan)
- Angus Deayton
- Lawrence Llewlyn-Bowen (with Carol Smilie)
- Michael Burke
- Alan Titchmarsh
- Prince Naseem Hamed
- David Beckham (with Victoria Beckham)
- Gary Lineker and Mark Lawrenson (Match Of The Day)
- Prince Charles of the Royal Family (as a parody of Dave from the Royle family).

Many other alter egos have also made more fleeting appearances this time around as well.

Aside from the wonderfully accurate impersonation of Eastenders' Dorothy Cotton, the majority of the female characters are perfomed by Ronnie Ancona, although compared to McGowan her offerings (aside from the sublime Carol Smilie) often pale into insignificance.

The sketches in this series have been mo
stly of a very high quality with many of the characters in situations you would not normally expect. A good example is the Royal/Royle family where Liz, Philip, Charles, Camilla and Andrew mirror the banal lives of Jim, Barbara, Dave, Denise and Anthony from the Royle family. Also the 'Cotton and Son' sketch, where Dot is in the role of Steptoe Snr. and Nick Cotton speaks with the voice of Steptoe Jnr., provides an unusual twist.

McGowan's characterisation has always been of the very highest quality, with some of the impressions, such as that of Richard Madeley seemingly being better than the real thing - if that were possible.

Impressionism is seen in some circles as a dying art. You may remember in times past when Mike Yarwood was a major ratings winner on prime-time TV, but over recent years it has been difficult to find anyone at all with the personality and ability to shine through.

Despite initial promise, Bobby Davro was never really taken fully seriously. In recent times, Rory Bremner to my memory is the only other impressionist to achieve widespread acclaim, albeit with a heavy political leaning to his material in his lower profile shows on Channel 4.

You get the distinct impression (<groan>) that Alistair McGowan has a great career still ahead of him. After what seemed like an eternity getting his big break after years on stage, radio, and bit parts on screen (including the BBC series 'Preston Front'), it finally seems as if this star is finally shining through.

So, if you haven't seen his latest work then check it out while the series continues, and if you already have then you don't need me to tell you how entertaining it is!

{An original Dooyoo opinion
© Blackjane 2001}