It might be quite a whimsical sketch but there's some top-notch acting. You can see when she says "Yes that's silly isn't it" that she doesn't really know why she's wrong, she's only guessing based on his reaction and the fact that she's made three mistakes already.
"Instead of fixing the shambles that are British railways, let's build a completely unnecessary new line so we can profiteer off of the fat construction contract!"
@@DarkZide8 And Kim Jong-Un is the leader of the "Workers' Party of Korea" The ruling party of the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Treasoner was, in reality, about as conservative as Kim is a democratic worker.
@@DarkZide8 no she is not She is a despicable Treasonous woman who should never have been the leader of the UK 🇬🇧 She only got there through the home office where she collected all the dirt to move up Her starting point should have been No deal we are leaving and that's that, The eu definitely do not want that.
The way it silently cuts to a close up of the map as her hand slowly comes down to touch the train at "a giant hand" is hysterical. Genius comedic editing.
'Big Train' had some absolutely fantastic sketches. A bit hit and miss, but when it was good it was really, really good. At the time, this sketch reminded me a little of Linehan's earlier 'Father Dougal and the toy cows' scene from Father Ted.
Don't forget there was a government minister, not that long ago, who didn't realise Britain is an island surrounded by water and that ports are important.
The acting is top notch. How much is communicated to us without uttering words. How he smile like she made a joke but then gives a look like "oh shit she is actually serious" So funny.
I agree, its not so much subtle general humour, however the subtlties of the mannerisms is what I find most funny, rather than the actual joke itself. Spaced, Big Train, Hippies era Pegg was out of this world with his ability to make any scene funny purely by subtle expression, particularly with his eyes. Graham Linehan really landed on his feet casting Pegg in Big Train, the show would've been a lot more generic without the magic dust Pegg springled over every scene he was in. I selfishly wish Pegg didn't explode and join the Hollywood scene, British comedy took a huge hit when he left our shores, I was sure when I was growing up he'd eventually be a stalwart of British tv akin to Rik Mayall.
Against stiff competition, might be my favourite Bg Train sketch. The initial pause at the close up of the 'giant' hand coming in has a disconcerting Jam-like feel. Love it.
@@markheywood8236 LOL that's superb - I didn't think of that. I'd always thought it was a weak ending to an incredibly brilliant and original sketch - now I don't!
Many, many years ago, I was on the phone to someone high up who worked in the local council offices and she couldn't understand why, when she'd faxed over a document to me, the document came out of the other end of the fax machine. She just assumed it hasn't sent. Literally and physically.
Back in the 80's, my girlfriend had me make a photocopy of her Master's thesis. When I asked her why she needed it, she told me she had to fax a copy to her adviser. :-/
I only vaguely remember this sketch show, and after watching for a moment I second-guessed myself on the title of the show because I thought it was part of the title of the sketch 😂
@@james79310 could of sworn I saw the chancellor of the exchequer saying little England will be poor and that was a good thing today? I left the UK years ago, I some time check in and have a little chuckle, today was one of those days. So, apparently, it is run like that.
Don't think he ever said it was a good thing? Should he have lied and said all would be fine? I think that'd be a hallmark of an incompetent or corrupt government
People like her run the company I work for. Every morning I get out of bed and fall to my knees and thank God for them. Without them I might be expected to actually do something.
Such a good show and SO MANY great sketches, but 3 of my favourites were the very first of the lost English Woman asking for directions, Simon Pegg teaching his kid to ride a Bike, and Hitchcock’s long-lost classic “The Working Class”. 😂 Also, who can forget what Ming the Merciless gets up to on his days off or the new owner of The Ritz insisting he wants to change the name to “The Titz” 🤣 If you like this, and never got to see it when it aired, grab yourself a copy of the 2-season DVD set. Best few quid you’ll ever spend (even the menu screens are brilliant!) Pure gold Comedy genius.
I got this, Black Books, Spaced and others just by scanning the Britcoms in a Toronto record/video shop and taking a gamble. If I watch the first episode of any of them, I go through the whole set.
@Brett Mitchell Why ? Because it blows the big bang THEORY and therefore the THEORY of evolution out of the water. This leaves us with what ? The Bible describes a flat, fixed earth as created by God.
the true joke about this sketch is that is is not a joke, it is real .. the more official and important the meeting is, the more closer to this sketch it gets
Yes most government announcements are built on MPs being totally taken in by glossy PR claptrap of private companies and then try to sell to us on the same basis b
14 years later, this actually feels like a fly on the wall documentary.
I remember this clip from back in the day, still makes me laugh.
it's a young Theresa May.
It reminds me of The Thick Of It
@@musicjunk8266 More like Liz Truss but....same difference I guess 😄
@@pseudonayme7717 yea one of them
It might be quite a whimsical sketch but there's some top-notch acting. You can see when she says "Yes that's silly isn't it" that she doesn't really know why she's wrong, she's only guessing based on his reaction and the fact that she's made three mistakes already.
John R I think the ultra-naturalistic acting in Big Train is some of the best I’ve ever seen
The way the camera pans in to her hand when she says 'Won't we need a giant to.....' sublime.
I always used to think that about Mark Heap's acting. It is such a joy to watch his scenes.
@Qwfwq66 This is a comedy video. P*ss off elsewhere will you. Ta.
@Qwfwq66 Wow. Comeback of the century 🤦♂️
I imagine there was a conversation within the British government about HS2 that was very similar to this..
"It can go from London to Birmingham _very fast_ "
"Yes, but why do we need a high-speed line for this journey?"
"Well...it will be *very fast* "
"Instead of fixing the shambles that are British railways, let's build a completely unnecessary new line so we can profiteer off of the fat construction contract!"
Over £100bn spent before a single track was laid.
"These are small. But the ones out there are *far away*"
Same writer I believe
lol when Pegg smiles then double checks if she's being serious
Theresa May in Brexit negotiations with the EU.
I almost laughed but I didnt because that wasnt funny
@@challenger_9624 Isn't that a triggered rightwinger though? Theresa May was a conservative
Actually every single politician in the world.
@@DarkZide8
And Kim Jong-Un is the leader of the "Workers' Party of Korea" The ruling party of the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Treasoner was, in reality, about as conservative as Kim is a democratic worker.
@@DarkZide8 no she is not
She is a despicable Treasonous woman who should never have been the leader of the UK 🇬🇧
She only got there through the home office where she collected all the dirt to move up
Her starting point should have been
No deal we are leaving and that's that,
The eu definitely do not want that.
Simon Pegg is so brilliant. He absolutely nails those little mannerisms and reactions
He absolutely does.
Simon Pegg's reactions are what make this sketch for me.
Yeah, I love how he just runs to the door when she screams!
Lesson 58.Sometimes acting is Re-acting. 😂
Which ones? ('reactions')
*This is the best acting Pegg has ever done, ever.*
It's both of them. Her acting is marvellous as well.
This isn't a sketch, this is actually what the UK government is like...
Especially when Labour was in power.
@@kalekoldagreed
@@kalekold They're all the same (size). Wake up...
@@kalekold Ah yes, because it's Labour that have sunk over a hundred billion into a rail project that still doesn't go anywhere or do anything?
Oh SNAPPP!)))
The way it silently cuts to a close up of the map as her hand slowly comes down to touch the train at "a giant hand" is hysterical. Genius comedic editing.
yes 100%! This scene stuck in my head for 20 years!
"Then won't we need a .......... *a giant* ... to push the train" 😂
She's one of the most underrated comedy actors. Her performances in 'Jam' 👍
The boiler repair man sketch 😱 truly chilling
@@alfredotebasco it's always the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her!
JAM is so sick. It was both hilarious and depressing. 😂
I haven't watched/listened to jam in years but her pensive delivery here brought some of those terrifying sketches right back
The entire Jam crew are absolutely awesome!
Punch line where her brain just overloads at the end is masterful. Utter genius 😂
'Big Train' had some absolutely fantastic sketches. A bit hit and miss, but when it was good it was really, really good.
At the time, this sketch reminded me a little of Linehan's earlier 'Father Dougal and the toy cows' scene from Father Ted.
The Minister is like a composite of Liz Truss and Nadine Dorries
With a fair dose of Helen Whately
Don't forget there was a government minister, not that long ago, who didn't realise Britain is an island surrounded by water and that ports are important.
It's amazing how two people can fit into the small window of my phone. I didn't realise such tiny people existed
Ooooh boy. I think you may wanna sit down for this Samuel… 🥴
The acting is top notch. How much is communicated to us without uttering words. How he smile like she made a joke but then gives a look like "oh shit she is actually serious"
So funny.
This kind of humor has so much subtlety and word play it always leaves me smiling
I agree, its not so much subtle general humour, however the subtlties of the mannerisms is what I find most funny, rather than the actual joke itself. Spaced, Big Train, Hippies era Pegg was out of this world with his ability to make any scene funny purely by subtle expression, particularly with his eyes. Graham Linehan really landed on his feet casting Pegg in Big Train, the show would've been a lot more generic without the magic dust Pegg springled over every scene he was in.
I selfishly wish Pegg didn't explode and join the Hollywood scene, British comedy took a huge hit when he left our shores, I was sure when I was growing up he'd eventually be a stalwart of British tv akin to Rik Mayall.
Amelia Bulmore not getting enough love in these comments. Pegg is great, yes, but Bulmore really sells the idea of someone who is seriously quite mad.
"Peter Newsgarden" is a hilarious name as well
Hilarious as Alan Partridges nutty g/f , great actress
When she drops the train there's an excellent camera shake. Nice extra touch in this excellent sketch.
I love that the cameraman got a shock when she screamed
This is every meeting I've ever had in my professional life.
Really?
@@starkeyworksit Really. I just can't get people to understand the concept of a high-speed railway.
@@rollerfox88 haha. OK. I am arguing with my colleagues about this all the time. Everyone is against HS2 and I basically think its long overdue.
That final scene. Nothing said, yet so much communicated. Perfect.
Against stiff competition, might be my favourite Bg Train sketch. The initial pause at the close up of the 'giant' hand coming in has a disconcerting Jam-like feel. Love it.
i love when he says "this isn't britain, this is a map of britain" and he pronounces it two different ways hehhehehhehehe 😊
The answer to the HS2 conundrum is simply a train that's 400 miles long. Edinburgh then becomes a quick 2 mile run from London.
Big train is still one of the best sketch shows ever made.
The ming the merciless sketches were always my favourite.
Didn't realise we had inside footage of Liz Truss talking about HS2
Perfect Liz truss impression
This is so utterly brilliant it actually hurts!!! Even still. They were all pretty brilliant 🤣💘
Actual footage of Nadine Dorries thought process. Good find ☺️
"Channel 104? So there are 100 more Channel Fours?"
"what is this, a train for ants?"
Tants.
I'm just here to see Simon making a run for the door.
Some of the best sketches ever in this show, with both seasons being both out there and fantastic.
These guys were and are still are amazing comedians. It still stands the test of time contrary to other shows which need a disclaimer
omg did she faint at the end because she thought she was a giant lol
Que Dableyou - yes, and she got confused when the giant cheque appeared. 😆
Perhaps she thought she was very small?
The little man is telling me I'm a giant, but the giant cheque is telling me I'm very small. System shutdown imminent.
@@markheywood8236 think that's the closest explanation yet 🤣
@@markheywood8236 LOL that's superb - I didn't think of that.
I'd always thought it was a weak ending to an incredibly brilliant and original sketch - now I don't!
This sums up every meeting I've ever been in with marketing professionals
I feel like I've just sat in a planning meeting for HS2
Gotta love Amelia Bullmore.
Much better actress than Julia Davis.
@@MagicTammi She had formal training. And Julia Davis is the more successful writer.
@@nkt1 I just dont like Julis Davis though. I don't think her acting or her writing is very good.
I had no idea Julia Davis and Amelia Bullmore had rival fanbases
And she's such a terribly, terribly good nurse!
I love the way Simon Pegg says :"the trains aren't pushed by people.'
I've never heard of this show but this clip alone has convinced me to watch it🤣
I cannot believe simon pegg still has his hair! 25 years ago and such a high hair line. Congratulations my man
crazy what money can buy you.
Funniest part of the sketch is Pegg running to the door when she screams.
Many, many years ago, I was on the phone to someone high up who worked in the local council offices and she couldn't understand why, when she'd faxed over a document to me, the document came out of the other end of the fax machine. She just assumed it hasn't sent. Literally and physically.
Thats radio rental!! LOL
Back in the 80's, my girlfriend had me make a photocopy of her Master's thesis. When I asked her why she needed it, she told me she had to fax a copy to her adviser. :-/
@@amazingbollweevil please Please PLEASE enlarge👉👜👈
A uni friend of mine would avoid phone calls with me if he had a cold because he didn't want to pass the virus on to me through his voice.
I also wondered why the paper was still there once 😬
Every presentation to Liz Truss right here.
Simon’s and the camera operator’s reaction at 2:06 is class!
Still a fave clip of mine, missed the boat when big train was on, if you pardon the expression! Watched it a year back. Very funny
Big Train is/was my favourite sketch show. I have no idea why nobody i know seems to have heard of it
See also : Bruiser.
I only vaguely remember this sketch show, and after watching for a moment I second-guessed myself on the title of the show because I thought it was part of the title of the sketch 😂
Absolutely brilliant!!!
Nadine Dorries springs to mind
Such a brilliant sketch.
" Won't we need a giant...?" LOL I have met people in high positions of power that are that daft...
@KlunkerRider " LOL I have met people in high positions of power that are that daft..." - I believe it's a prerequisite...
Simon Pegg's timing and mannerisms in that are exceptional!
The sketch the show's name comes from :) Big Train/Small Train. Love it. "There are no giants..."
She still has more intelligence than most MPs of today!
ARGH god this whole sketch is baked into my head
WAIT is the show actually named after this sketch?!
OR did the show name inspire this sketch?
The only giants I know live in NYC..
Chris Laws and Tokyo
@@mandarian87 and Busan
@@colinyoung3685 Nope, the show was named after the song "Big Train" which appears at the beginning of the show as background to the title credits.
The minister is like me when one of my colleagues is trying to explain the code they've just written ;-)
I think I'm starting to understand where HS2 went wrong.
Anyone reminded of Liz Truss?
Mouse that Roared yes I can imagine her saying that 😂
Less funny now england is run like this.
James Foster it’s obviously not though is it.
@@james79310 could of sworn I saw the chancellor of the exchequer saying little England will be poor and that was a good thing today? I left the UK years ago, I some time check in and have a little chuckle, today was one of those days. So, apparently, it is run like that.
Don't think he ever said it was a good thing? Should he have lied and said all would be fine? I think that'd be a hallmark of an incompetent or corrupt government
UK, england doesn't have a devolved government.
@@leonhardeuler675 Lets not turn this in to the guardian comment section, also lets check back in a couple of years and see :)
People like her run the company I work for. Every morning I get out of bed and fall to my knees and thank God for them. Without them I might be expected to actually do something.
Robert Anton Wilson: "the map is not the territory.'' -quote keeps coming to mind. ahahahaha!
Nothing beats British comedy!
Such a good show and SO MANY great sketches, but 3 of my favourites were the very first of the lost English Woman asking for directions, Simon Pegg teaching his kid to ride a Bike, and Hitchcock’s long-lost classic “The Working Class”. 😂 Also, who can forget what Ming the Merciless gets up to on his days off or the new owner of The Ritz insisting he wants to change the name to “The Titz” 🤣
If you like this, and never got to see it when it aired, grab yourself a copy of the 2-season DVD set. Best few quid you’ll ever spend (even the menu screens are brilliant!)
Pure gold Comedy genius.
This is how I view all high speed rail meetings going .
Theres people in positions of power making decisions that are as thick as this
Wow big train accurately predicted Liz Truss.
Smartest Civil Servant
I think this is actual footage of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng preparing their mini budget.
Got a real "Yes, Minister" vibe out of this skit.
This is like a Trump advisor trying to explain the Constitution to Trump.
Good to see his hair grew back
Yes, but he doesn’t like to plug it.
Brilliant!
If only someone could build such a train line.
Dianne Abbott springs to mind..bless her
Chris Grayling?
Amazing how Simons hair has amazing grown back
Someone tell KingCobraJFS.
This could literally be a Tory minister today.
😂
Pork markets!!
A lot of people I know didn't even knew or heard this sketch show existed. It's where I first see Simon Pegg and Catherine Tate.
I got this, Black Books, Spaced and others just by scanning the Britcoms in a Toronto record/video shop and taking a gamble. If I watch the first episode of any of them, I go through the whole set.
So that’s why the show’s called big train!
Nope! Named after the title song
For some reason, all I could think while watching this was "Sonia? What are your plans?"
"Small...far away"
We've all worked with people like that 🤔🤣
Comedy sketches written on shrooms are the best🤣
It's like talking to a flat earther.
@Brian Prior haha
@Brett Mitchell
Oh dear.
@Brian Prior Yes, at least she is trying to understand lol.
@Brett Mitchell Why ? Because it blows the big bang THEORY and therefore the THEORY of evolution out of the water.
This leaves us with what ? The Bible describes a flat, fixed earth as created by God.
@@kirkhamandy Your comment is laughable.
Your arrogance is only outweighed by your ignorance.
And this....is how HS2 was formed!
A small person and a giant check was too much for the PM to adjust her mind to.
"What is this, a train for ANTS??!!"
Ahh, Simon Pegg looks so young in this! Even with the moustache I'd ID him (and he's 28 here).
Simon Pegg's reactions
😂😂😂
the true joke about this sketch is that is is not a joke, it is real .. the more official and important the meeting is, the more closer to this sketch it gets
Yes most government announcements are built on MPs being totally taken in by glossy PR claptrap of private companies and then try to sell to us on the same basis b
Oh dear.
"...the more closer..."
Facepalm...
I imagine this is exactly how the HS2 planning meetings went, given the results?
Completely underrated
The run for the door! 😂 I think he actually believes in giants
Brilliant
Superb
As someone who works in the rail industry, I can assure you that conversations, not dissimilar to this, have taken place with government officials
I'll remind you that Nadine Dorries was a minister.