Revival and Revisionism: 1986–2007. Part 1: Global Destruction and Domination

This chapter begins the exploration of the British sitcom spinoff film’s third mannerist/decadent phase, where it becomes more openly self-reflexive, even parodic. Building on source texts that, at times, extend the traditional remit of both situation and character, the genre is shown as bifurcating both to explore depths of darker content and to enjoy unprecedented highs of international commercial success. The chapter first explores a strand, far removed from cosy family sitcom fare, that features destructive scenarios, as with Whoops Apocalypse (1986), The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse (2005) and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005). It then explores a spinoff film that forsook world destruction for global domination in Bean (1997), a box-office sensation and the first British sitcom spinoff with truly international appeal. The film is explored for its transatlantic cultural and commercial synergies, while its equally successful sequel Mr. Bean’s Holiday (2007) is shown as presenting a self-reflective (and arguably reactionary) play on filmmaking itself.