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Operation Good Guys

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Operation Good Guys
GenreMockumentary
Created byRay Burdis
StarringDavid Gillespie, Ray Burdis
Narrated byHugo Blick
Theme music composerJohn Beckett, Ray Burdis
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerJim Beach
ProducersRay Burdis, Dominic Anciano, Hugo Blick
Original release
Release1997 –
2000

Operation Good Guys is a British mockumentary series about an elite police unit's bid to snare one of Britain's most powerful crime lords. It was first screened on BBC Two from 1997 - 2000. 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 created by Ray Burdis and co written by Ray Burdis, Hugo Blick and Dominic Anciano, although much of the dialogue was improvised by the actors.

The series utilised the concept of a mock documentary capturing the truths of a workplace four years before the notion reached fame in The Office. However, this mockumentary style was watered down slightly when a laugh track was added for the second and third series.

The series was awarded the Silver Rose for Best Sitcom and the Prix de la Presse, voted for by the International Press, at the Montreux Golden Rose Festival.

Cast

The actors involved include:

  • D.I. Beach David Gillespie
  • 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 & series 2 episodes 1 and 4 only)
  • "Strings" (John Beckett)
  • Mark Kemp (Mark Burdis)
  • Accountant Roy Leyton (Roy Smiles; series 1 and episode 5 of series 2)
  • Bill Zeebub (William Scully, QGM, present in the first series as a background character; brought to the fore more in series two and three),
  • Smiler McCarthy (Hugo Blick; series 1 only, Hugo Crippin series 2 episodes 1, 2 and 6, & Narrator series 2 and 3).

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.

Releases

The three series were released on VHS in the early 2000s. In 2005, the three series of OGG were 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.

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 United States show COPS.

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.

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 for 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 survival 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 Zorro is.

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 survival 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.

Additional episodes on DVD boxset

  • Where are they now?
  • OGG pilot episode
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