Submit Response is a weblog by Jack Mottram, a I Am Not An Animal
At last, something to fill the gaping void in the comedy schedules left by Little Britain: I Am Not An Animal. Written and directed by Peter Baynham (who has has a hand in almost everything funny on the television since 1995) and voiced by Simon Pegg, Julia Davis and Steve Coogan, it tells the story of a troupe of talking animals.
Bio-engineered in a sinister vivisection lab, the poor loves are doomed to live a life of loft-apartment luxury, with Heat magazine as their cultural barometer and an endless supply of Chianti fuelling dreams of visiting London. By the close of the opening episode, the gang have been freed by bungling animal rights vigilantes, left to find their way in the world.
As you might expect from a long-standing Chris Morris collaborator, the humour veers between sledgehammer bum-gags - two ‘My poo smells of sugar puffs’ scenes in one episode - and tickly little feather-duster subtleties, as in the titular nod to The Elephant Man.
The characters are wonderful, too. There’s Philip, a pompous intellectual horse, with endless gadgets allowing him to live the humanoid life. And Mark - my fave - the closet case sparrow with designs on the pop charts and an obsession with shoe trees. And a slutty self-styled femme fatale bulldog bitch, Winona, who has a crush on ‘the actor Tim Robbins.’
God, it’s just fabulous. View a short clip, right here.
Jack, I couldn’t agree less ;)
I’m normally a fan of Steve Coogan and Peter Baynam’s stuff but unlike the rest of their work I thought this was pretty unfunny, and I found the Joel Veitch style cut’n’paste animation to be deeply irritating!
On paper it sounded great but I was really disappointed by it.
Posted by Matt at 2pm on 11.05.04
Really? I was laughing like a drain throughout. I think I had my humour glands damaged by repeat exposure to The Day Today as a stoned student, though - anything with Baynham-isms is guaranteed to make me giggle. (Heck, I even loved Fist of Fun.)
You’re right about the animation, though - great for the individual characters, but generally it’s distracting, and the mix of 2D cut-out and cheaply shaded 3D stuff looks naff.
The Celaction app that Baby Cow Productions used to animate it looks interesting, though - automatic lip-synching based on the volume of soundtrack files, etc.
(I should probably wait for our in-house animation expert Donovan to show up before saying that - hey, at least it’s for the PC, Don!)
Posted by Jack at 3pm on 11.05.04
i just watched it at work with the sound off & the pompous horse brought tears to my eyes. of course, that might be because he has my father’s eyebrows. how appropriate.
Posted by nicky at 7pm on 12.05.04
I wondered who he reminded me of ;)
And are you in Iowa, New York, Paris or Vienna at the moment?! Or have I become muddled about your plans?
Posted by Jack at 11am on 13.05.04
I disagree with the animation comments. The animation is by far the best on any long-running animated TV show. It’s different and slightly disorientating, but that’s why I like it. I love the faces of the human characters, especially the gun-toting animal rights activist.
This is brilliant animation comedy that is closer to South Park than anything else out there, and probably miles better. I really, really hope there’s a second series (though I suspect there won’t be - the obvious effort put in by all to animate the show might make this a one-off series - still, there’s the DVD to look forward to).
P.S. The big contraversy over this show was a complete load of bllcks just like I thought it would be.
Posted by Sean at 4pm on 17.05.04
Me and my good friend laurel, are avid fans of I am not an animal in particular Mark Andrews. How dare anyone criticize our bredrin. I was pissing in my miss naughty pants when Mark sang ‘she smokes dope’. P.S - pigger or die
Posted by jim'll and laurel at 1pm on 18.05.04
WELL I THOUGHT IT WAS F*%KING HILLARIOUS AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE! MUHAHAHA
Posted by MOJO at 5pm on 18.05.04
I AGREE ,,, ITS TOP FRIGGIN BANANA , THAT MONKEY IS THE BEST ONE.FAPS ON ANYTHING , LMAO. BRING ON NEXT MONDAY
Posted by Wabbit at 5pm on 18.05.04
In a word “Quality”!!
Watched last nights at work, and me shift m8 thought I was a mentalist! I was crying!
That Assassin!!!!! LMAOOOOOOOOO
Posted by Aphex at 5pm on 18.05.04
I missed last night’s episode. And it doesn’t seem to have a repeat. Not LMAO!!!1!!!1!!! then ;)
Posted by Jack at 6pm on 18.05.04
This is the greatest show i have seen in ages. Mark the sparrow is my idol! “the day, my computer said, hello” has to be released in the charts.
Posted by Weebl at 4pm on 20.05.04
She smoke dope, She smokes dope… I can change it to beer if it’s too controversial.
i almost wet myself. does mark say anything not funny
‘how much did it cost to make the jam’
‘its all nature bounty its…’
‘yeah, how much did it cost, you can see the direction i’m heading here’
‘i’m sick with worry’
‘yeah…theres a bit still on your lip’
‘it appears our old friend calvin has had his head stitched onto the body of an ape and been sent to kill us’
‘i knew this would happen’
Posted by mj at 4pm on 25.05.04
PHILLIP - “ITS LIKE.. SOME SORT OF FUUUTURISTIC FOLDER…. WITH A WIIIRRREE.”
Posted by MOJO at 11pm on 25.05.04
Just classic, classic, stuff. I am not an animal is simply brilliant. I was in stitches when the monkey was in the shop with his balaclava on and then drowning himself. The work of genius.
“Where’s the money?”, “Calls are charged at £1.80 per minute…”, “But where’s the money, in the wire?” “Neil! Is the money in you?”
Posted by Rbunonero at 4pm on 26.05.04
Just classic, classic, stuff. I am not an animal is simply brilliant. I was in stitches when the monkey was in the shop with his balaclava on and then drowning himself. The work of genius.
“Where’s the money?”, “Calls are charged at £1.80 per minute…”, “But where’s the money, in the wire?” “Neil! Is the money in you?”
Posted by Rbunonero at 4pm on 26.05.04
I am part of the team responsible for creating I am not an animal. Can I just say how happy i am to hear you discussing our little animated comedy about a group of talking animals.
We all throughly enjoyed making it and cross our fingers there’s another series.
Its been an absolute pleasure contributing in making you laugh.
E N J O Y
Posted by Emily at 10am on 27.05.04
Thanks for dropping by, Emily - and congratulations on the series.
Anyone who has missed episodes might be interested in this page, which has Bittorrent downloads of the series so far. Of course, you must only download if you solemnly promise to buy the DVD when and if it comes out!
Posted by Jack at 2pm on 27.05.04
“hello! i aint from asia anymore, and i still aint a monkey. I would just like to know if there are any shoplifters you want me to get rid of…..oh look, i’m on t.v!”
classic words. I still think mark is the best with his “free range farm, and slaughterhouse!”
Posted by weebl at 5pm on 27.05.04
Brilliant -Hugh is the best, also “The day my computer said hello” - pure unadulterated genius.
Posted by Tom Sparke at 9pm on 01.06.04
Never been here before, but my desperation at finding more out about this animation lead me to this site.
I can honestly say, it is the funniest 30 mins on TV for a very long time. I just end up crying with laughter by the end. Mark is one my favorite characters, but of course is nothing without the others.
Favorite episode, might have to be the recent “beigey”.
When is the DVD coming out?
Posted by Jack at 9am on 02.06.04
I noticed this show in the TV guide and being a fan of animation ventured fourth to watch it. As soon as it started i was in tears of laughter at the animation and the gags, i think this show is wonderful and has a very fitting cast. I watched the next two episodes which were equally funny, i eagerly await the fourth. I shall buy this on dvd should it be released, praise be to the creaters you have a classic on your hands.
Posted by Liam at 4pm on 02.06.04
So funny! winona’s saying of “a relationship with a hobo has no future” to claire had me laughing for ages.
Posted by weebl at 9am on 04.06.04
‘Why do you reject me, You know I’m full of diseases, Quattro formaggio’s a pizza with four kinds of cheeses.’ (Glen Belt)
Utter utter, brilliance. Mark Anderson should be a world power.
“Those shoes were Italian, y’ sh*ts”
Posted by Mark at 1pm on 08.06.04
will this series, come out on video or d.v.d because i hope o buy it, as in my opinion itis the best series on t.v an the best programme ive eva seen
Posted by luke smith at 9am on 09.06.04
“Gold, Gold, Like a candle in the wind, I should be so lucky, I’m loving angels instead” what a lovely chorus from ‘Keiko’. It just gets funnier and funnier really
Posted by weebl at 7pm on 09.06.04
I missed half the episodes, much to my annoyance. I’m guessing everyone involved really had a good time taking the piss out of middle class sensibilities and those awful media types. “cocaine baguettes” - need I say more?
Posted by Luker at 11am on 15.06.04
Cocaine baguettes indeed. Although I suspect you do need to be an awful media type to get the satire so wonderfully spot on.
Posted by Jack at 12pm on 15.06.04
Gone now. Second series please.
I liked the animation, myself.
I suspect that for the rest of my life I shall feel compelled to shout, ‘Are we going to LONDON??’ whenever going to London, and to say, ‘You’re so lovely - you’re beige - I’m all warm’ to anyone who pleases me.
Posted by hannah at 10pm on 15.06.04
Mark Anderson is sooooo funny
I missed the episode where he names himself Glen Belt (lol)
My mum told about this and I couldnt stop laughing for atleast 5mins.
Pure comedy
Plus if anyone knows where I can find any wallpapers or sounds of Mark Anderson aka Glen Belt (lol) please email me : LV427@Hotmail.com
Posted by Chris C at 11pm on 15.06.04
Absolutely fantastic - simply brilliant. Simple as that.
Posted by Pete at 3pm on 16.06.04
I am not an animal, most definately the best thing on tv for years, Glen Belt we love you, bring on the second series now!
Posted by Rich at 11am on 25.06.04
its so funny and theres so much detail! the charicters are brilliant . i cant stop saying you YOU PLASTIC BASTARD and pinky for pinky! that bloody song is still tormenting me. MORE PLEASE
Posted by jess at 10pm on 01.07.04
does anyone know if there is definetely going to be a dvd released?
Posted by x at 12pm on 10.08.04
I hope so x - I’ll mail the production company to find out…
Posted by Jack at 1pm on 10.08.04
” Fly me to London you plastic bastards ” best line ever. Mark is just classic. Please find out when dvd available I am missing it so much. Pure genius
Posted by Carol at 10pm on 14.08.04
FANTASTIC!!! We love you Mark Andrews!!!
Posted by kelly at 9am on 24.09.04
I WANT IT ON DVD NOW TO BUY AND OWN!!! FOREVER, MY FAV IS THE OWL THE GRITTY DOWN TO EARTH VOICE AND COMMENTS JUST CRACK ME UP!!! I LOVE IT AND WANT MORE. LITTLE BRITAIN FOR ME NOW, IS WELL…GETTING TO BE A BIT OF THE SAME OLD SAME, YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN, A LITTLE STALE.?
Posted by Tim Robbins at 1am on 22.10.04
ITS COMING SOON!!!!! The dvd will be out in March i only wish it was sooner!!!!
Posted by matticus at 1pm on 16.11.04
Can anyone please tell me where I might be able to download the episodes. I plan on buying the DVD but don’t have the patience to wait until March. The above mentioned bittorrent page doesn’t work.
Posted by Kart at 1pm on 18.11.04
I really want a copy of the series of ‘I am not an animal’ and can’t find it for sale anywhere. Does anyone have any idea if it will be put on video or DVD?Or if it will be rerun? I missed some of it and want my friends to see it too!Please e-mail me if you know!
Posted by Anna at 11pm on 22.11.04
Hi Anna, and everyone else who’s asked - the I Am Not An Animal DVD is slated for release on 28th of March next year, and you can pre-order it now from the BBC Shop. There’s an audio commentary and documentary as well as the episodes.
Dunno why they haven’t rushed it out in time for Christmas, really.
Posted by Jack Mottram at 1pm on 23.11.04
Just thought id let you know, the DVD is is being sold in loads of online stores now, so you can get it at a reasonable price! the cheapest is £12.99. I rushed to join the list at the BBC shop a few weeks ago and now realise i could have saved myself a few pounds!!!
Posted by Kaz at 10am on 20.02.05
This song was so random. Full of Diseases? 4 Kinds of Cheeses? Who came up with this stuff? Because i want to thank them for this work of pure genius
Posted by Derek at 10am on 06.06.05
Love this show!!!! Please make more!!!!!!!
Posted by dawn at 5pm on 14.12.05
Top quality program, one of the most original and funniest thing I have seen in a long time…
‘biscuits for cheese b!tch’…
Posted by Paid2review.co.uk at 8pm on 08.03.06