Goodness Gracious Me

Time you got around to sponsoring a child

Goodness Gracious Me is a BBC English language sketch show based on four English-Indian actors: Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia.

The title and theme tune are based on a hit song of the 1960s in which Peter Sellers impersonated an Indian doctor and Sophia Loren his patient. This was in the film The Millionairess.

Many of the sketches explore the conflict/integration between traditional Indian culture and modern English life. Some reverse the roles to view the English from an Indian perspective. Others poke fun at Indian stereotypes.

They casually drop Urdu and Punjabi slang phrases into their speech, in the manner of many Indians living in England.

Table of contents

1 Recurring Characters
2 Seasons

2.1 Radio Show
2.2 Television Show

3 External Links

Recurring Characters

tactless Mr "Check Please"

The Competitive Mothers

Mr "Everything Comes From India"

The Coopers (Kapoors) who snobbishly maintain they're English

Superhero Bhangra-Man
"Skipinder, The Punjabi Kangaroo" (redubbed Skippy)
the streetwise Bhangra Muffins
sexy Bollywood superstar Chunky La Funga
A mother who decries the wasteful world declaring of everything "I can make it at home for nothing!" (frequently involving "a small aubergine!")
The dodgy Guru Maharishi Yogi (based on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi)
Smeeta Smitten, Showbiz Kitten (Reporter)
Uncle "You Should Have Come To Me!"

Seasons

Radio Show

1996 June/July (4 eps)
1997 July/August (4 eps)
1998 May/June (6 eps)

Television Show

1998 Jan/Feb - Season 1 (6 eps)

1998 Nov/Dec - Season 2 (6 eps)

1998 Dec - Christmas Special
1999 Theatre Tour
2000 Feb/Mar - Season 3 (6 eps)
2001 Feb - "Back Where They Came From" (Parts filmed in India!)

External Links

BBCi Guide To GGM