Operation Good Guys
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| Operation Good Guys | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Mockumentary |
| Creator(s) | Ray Burdis, Hugo Blick, Dominic Anciano |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| Broadcast | |
| Original run | 1997 – |
Operation Good Guys (OGG) is a 1997 British mockumentary, a fly-on-the-wall documentary series about an elite police unit's bid to snare one of Britain's most powerful crime lords. But things are not quite what they seem... Operation Good Guys is in fact an innovative and irreverent comedy. Blurring the line between fact and fiction, it witnesses, on camera, the total breakdown, professionally and personally, of the Operation Good Guys team. Throughout the operation, The 'Good Guys' have an unfortunate habit of embroiling into their calamitous world some of the country's best-known celebrities, from actors and footballers, to TV presenters and even the odd ex-convict.
It was written by Ray Burdis, Hugo Blick and Dominic Anciano, although the majority of dialogue was improvised by the actors.
The actors involved include:
David Gillespie as D.I. Beach, with D.S. Raymond Ash (Ray Burdis), Sgt Dominic de Sade (Dominic Anciano), Kim Finch, alias "Boo Boo" (Kim Taylforth; series 1 only), "Bones" (Perry Benson), Gary Barwick (Gary Beadle; series 1 and episodes 1 and 4 of of series 2 only), "Strings" (John Beckett), Mark Kemp (Mark Burdis), accountant Roy Leyton (Roy Smiles; series 1 only), Bill Zeebub (William Scully, QGM, present in the first series as a background character; brought to the fore more in series two and three), and Hugo Blick (Smiler McCarthy (series 1) & Narrator (series two and three)).
There were three series produced, which featured guest stars including David Seaman, Jude Law, Sean Pertwee, Jonny Lee Miller, gangster 'Mad' Frankie Fraser, ex Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, Denise van Outen and Donna Air.
In some ways, although generally more far fetched (particularly in the second and third series), the show, with its spoof documentary format, pompous lead character (DI Beach) and improvised acting can be seen as a precurser to The Office.
The second and third series included a laughter track, which some felt somewhat spoilt the "mockumentary" feel.
The three series were released on VHS in the early 2000s. In 2005, the three series of OGG were finally released on DVD format. In addition to the original episodes, the three disc DVD boxset includes some extras including a brand new episode, 'Where Are They Now?'. This new material addresses the subject of what happened to the team after they were sacked from the Police force at the end of series three. Original co-writer, Dominic Anciano, played no part in 'Where Are They Now?'. His character, Sgt. Dominic de Sade, was apparently last seen after seizing the money from a multi-million pound robbery. With Anciano apparently uninterested in creating new OGG material, another series looks unlikely.
Contents |
[edit] Episode list
- Pilot - not broadcast, this is a less obviously humorous approach to the format, with the same characters. The overall feel here is more reminiscent of the US show COPS.
[edit] Series 1
- The Informant: The Good Guys latest informant turns out to be a punk hairdresser.
- Radio Silence: The team starts to get into money problems whilst trying to foil Smiler McCarthy's drugs ring.
- Frisk 'Em: An American cop comes to lend a hand.
- Holiday: Beach gives the Good Guys a day off to recoup.
- Safe as Houses: A key witness is taken to Kim's house for his own protection.
- Open Day: An open day at the station leads to problems when the Commissioner's dog dies.
- Sylvia La Plage: The funds are gone, as are the Good Guys, and so has Roy.
[edit] Series 2
- Back to School: The Good Guys undergo retraining, and power goes to Mark's head.
- Star Dust: Jude Law and Jonny Lee Miller visit the station, in order to prepare as their new film roles as policemen.
- Forensics: Beach is determined to find a criminal with a head cut, and also holds a special Sherlock Holmes weekend.
- I Will Survive: On a survival course, Gary worries about their surival expert's interest in Hitler.
- Viva Espana: The Good Guys travel to Spain for their next operation, which involves Ray wearing a wig.
- Operation Zorro: Beach gets sunburn and the BBC worry about how low-key the Good Guys part in operation is.
[edit] Series 3
- That's Entertainment: Whilst De Sade and the others worry about a drugs bust, Beach panics more about a special Christmas episode of the documentary.
- Castaway: The Good Guys are sent to a desert island, but Beach refuses to let the Good Guys go on a survial course.
- Raging Pig: Beach goes into boxing in order to stamp out corruption in the game.
- The Leader: Beach gets sucked into a weird cult.
- Jubilee: The Good Guys get a visit from the most powerful and influential family in Britain.
- Operation Snowdrop: Beach tries to improve the men's tolerance of minority groups, with the help of Assistant Commissioner Terra Blanche.
[edit] Additional episodes on DVD boxset
- Where are they now?
- OGG pilot episode
