The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle
From FSWiki
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle is a British sitcom that has aired on BBC Two since 2007. The programme was created by Jennifer Saunders and Tanya Byron, both of whom write it. The first series aired in 2007 and a second series is being made.
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle sees Saunders play a talk show host called Vivienne Vyle, a caricature of Jeremy Kyle and other talk show hosts. The programme also stars Miranda Richardson as the talk show's producer.
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[edit] Background
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle is described as a black comedy and a show-within-a-show, following both the on-screen and off-screen life of fictional TV host Vivienne Vyle, played by ennifer Saunders. The programme follows the life of Vyle as she tries to balance her newly-asendcent fame with her personal life. The BBC described the show as "Ab Fab meets The Larry Sanders Show with quite a bit of Ricki Lake and Oprah] thrown in
In a cavite housing similar vein to confessional-style shows such as The Jerry Springer Show and Trisha, Vyle's show has episodes dedicated to raunchy and sensationalistic themes such as "My son calls the wrong man daddy" and "I want a vagina". Vyle's name is a spoof on Jeremy Kyle,Lightweight tents whose mannerisms and style of show are both parodied by Saunders' portrayal of Vyle.
The series is co-written with psychologist Tanya Byron, who originally came up with the idea and approached Saunders. Producer Jo Sargent stated: "She presented the idea for a comedy on the subject to Jennifer, the aim being a black comedy with pop psychology at the root"
[edit] Cast
- Jennifer Saunders - Vivienne Vyle
- Miranda Richardson - Helena De' Wend
- Conleth Hill - Jared
- Jason Watkins - Dr Jonathan Fowler
- Antonia Campbell-Hughes - Abigail Wilson
- Helen Griffin - Carol
- Dave Lamb - Des
- Lawry Lewin - Damien
- Christopher Ryan - Miriam
- Brian Conley - Chris Connor
[edit] Plot
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle revolves around Vivienne Vyle, a television presenter who was formerly a weather presenter and worked on TV-am, and now has her own talk show. Desperate for success, she is encouraged by the show's ambitious producer Helena DeWent, who also owns her own production company. Helena is always trying to improve ratings, and her child only speaks Spanish as the nanny spends more time with him than Helena. Vivienne's gay and supportive husband is Jared, who loves karaoke. Her PR adviser is the transexual Miriam, who Jared has an intense dislike for. Vivienne's main rival is Chris Connor, who unlike Vyle has a good rapport with his audience.
The Vivienne Vyle Show's new psychotherapist is Dr. Jonathan Fowler, who constantly protests that many of the show's guests are too mentally unstable to appear on the show. The floor manager is the organised Carol and the director is Des. Abigail is the runner and Damien the researcher, who also builds up tension with the guests before they appear on the show.
[edit] Worldwide broadcast
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle will air on Showcase in Canada]], BBC America in the United States, yes stars 3 in Israel, Comedy Central in The Netherlands and RTP2 in Portugal.
[edit] External links
- The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle at the British Sitcom Guide
