- Massive (TV series)
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Massive Format Comedy Created by Damian Lanigan Starring Ralf Little
Carl Rice
Christine Bottomley
Johnny VegasCountry of origin UK No. of episodes 6 Production Running time 30 minutes Broadcast Original channel BBC Three Original run 14 September 2008 – 12 October 2008 Massive is a sitcom broadcast on digital channel BBC Three. It is set in Manchester and stars Ralf Little and Carl Rice as Danny and Shay, who leave their office jobs to set up a record label when Danny inherits £10,000 following the death of his grandmother. The series began airing on BBC Three on 14 September 2008.
Characters
- Danny: (Ralf Little), best friend to Shay, it is his money that allows them to set up Shady Music. He gets on well with Shay although on many occasions has many disagreements with him about his style of music. He has also found himself in an unwanted relationship with Tina. Danny drives an Austin Allegro.
- Shay Finnegan: (Carl Rice), real name Seamus. Son of Tony and Lorraine, he is the first of his family to find gainful employment. He also has unusual interests in music, mainly from an interest in "The Lamps" and trying to resurrect old music styles. He does not like HearKittyKitty but soon grows fond of them as they become more successful.
- Lou: (Christine Bottomley), local music critic.
- Tony Finnegan: (Johnny Vegas), petty thief, father of Shay.
- Lorraine Finnegan: (Lorraine Cheshire), mother of Shay, she is fond of drinking alcohol, especially Strongbow cider.
- Nancy: (Joanne King), young lady who works in the cafe, a friend of Danny's.
- Swing: (Joel Fry), geeky friend of Danny and Shay, he DJs in his spare time. Works in an electrical store and lives with his mother.
- Tina: (Beverly Rudd), one half of HearKittyKitty. Sister to Marie and at pains to tell everyone she meets that she is not adopted. She likes drinking Lambrini perry and has a love interest with Danny.
- Marie: (Faye McKeever), the other half of HearKittyKitty. She likes eating pies. She and her sister both work in Superb'Uns, a baker's shop.
- Manny Westside: (Paul Kaye), recovering cocaine addict, record producer and DJ.
The programme was produced by Jim Poyser and directed by David Kerr.
Episode list
- Danny and Shay start a new clerical job as filing clerks. They quit to set up the record label when Danny learns that he has inherited £10,000 from his grandmother. Lou suggests that they hold a Battle of the Bands competition to find an act to sign to the label. They rent a run down warehouse next to the Manchester Ship Canal as an office and Shay's father Tony helps them to furnish the premises with stolen furniture on the understanding that he and Shay's mother Lorraine can appear at the Battle of the Bands. The pair audition local artists for the competition, the event takes place and HearKittyKitty (Tina and Marie) are the winners.
- With HearKittyKitty signed to the label, Danny and Shay recruit producer Manny Westside to mix and produce the single, a cover of the Diana Ross hit I'm Coming Out. Tony has asked Shay to look after a bag belonging to local hard man Big Stu and Shay hides it above the high cistern of the toilet cubicle at the recording studio hired for the recording session. Manny, who it transpires has recently returned from a drug rehabilitation retreat in India, finds the bag which contains packages of cocaine. He takes a large amount of the drug and produces a tune that the others describe as "a car crash". Shay has to buy cocaine to replace that taken by Manny. Danny becomes romantically involved with Tina. Swing takes Nancy from the coffee shop on a disastrous date. Manny manages to produce a polished version of I'm Coming Out.
- Danny and Shay hear the HearKittyKitty single being played on BBC Radio 1. After an A&R man from a rival label attempts to poach the group, the girls demand that Danny and Shay make a music video to go with their single. They hire a video camera and with Lou's help are allowed to use a BBC studio overnight. They find that the studio is set up for the filming of Mastermind and that they are not allowed to remove the scenery or props, including the famous black chair. Luckily Tina and Marie love the video that is made and the kitsch album cover designed by Shay.
External links
Categories:- BBC television sitcoms
- Television shows set in Manchester
- 2008 British television programme debuts
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