Smack the Pony is a British sketch comedy show that was originally broadcast between 1999 and 2003 on Channel 4. The main performers on the show were Fiona Allen, Doon Mackichan and Sally Phillips. There were also regular appearances from Sarah Alexander, Darren Boyd and Cavan Clerkin. The show's theme tune was a version of the Dusty Springfield song "In the Middle of Nowhere", sung by Jackie Clune. In addition to the three principal cast members, the show was written by many writers, the core of whom went on to write Green Wing and Campus.
Among the show's regular themes were unsuccessful relationships, competition in the workplace, and latent lesbianism, but sketches would also dip into the surreal. Two regular strands involved a series of different women making dating agency videos about their general likes and dislikes, and a musical parody that would close the show.
History
The show was created by Victoria Pile after being commissioned by Caroline Leddy of Channel 4 and Peter Fincham at Talkback, who believed that audiences would welcome a female-orientated sketch show.
The show's title was intended as a spoof of the kind of stories that would feature in annuals aimed at young girls. Originally "Spot the Pony", it was changed at Kevin Lygo's suggestion to "Smack the Pony" which some people mistakenly assumed was some kind of sexual euphemism.
A pilot was filmed featuring Sally Phillips, Fiona Allen and Amanda Holden. When a full series was commissioned Holden dropped out and Doon Mackichan took her place. Holden still appeared in four episodes of the first series.
- Episode 2: 26 March 1999
- Episode 3: 2 April 1999
- Episode 4: 9 April 1999
- Episode 5: 16 April 1999
- Episode 6: 23 April 1999
- Episode 7: 30 April 1999
Series 2 (2000)
- Episode 1: 14 April 2000
- Episode 2: 21 April 2000
- Episode 3: 28 April 2000
- Episode 4: 5 May 2000
- Episode 5: 12 May 2000
- Episode 6: 19 May 2000
- Episode 7: 26 May 2000
Series 3 (2002)
- Episode 1: 11 January 2002
- Episode 2: 18 January 2002
- Episode 3: 25 January 2002
- Episode 4: 1 February 2002
- Episode 5: 8 February 2002
- Episode 6: 15 February 2002
- Episode 7: 22 February 2002
Specials (2002–2003)
- Special 1: 26 December 2002
- Special 2: 3 January 2003
Awards
In 1999 and 2000, the first two series of Smack the Pony won the Emmy Award for the 'Best Popular Arts Show', and all three series were nominated for Bafta awards.
Video, DVD and streaming
In Britain, a VHS and DVD of The Best of Smack the Pony were released in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The complete first and second series were released on DVD in Germany (dubbed in German but with alternative English soundtrack) in January and June 2006 respectively.
Seasons 1-3 plus the Christmas Specials are available to stream in the UK on Channel 4
.
The complete series 1–3 have been released on DVD in Scandinavia by Pan Vision and Finnkino in 2008. It features original soundtrack with Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian and Danish subtitles but excludes the specials.
The series is currently available in the United States on Hulu.com as of at least 2012.
Russian version
Russian TNT-TV hosts a localised version of the show titled Women's League (, Zhenskaya Liga). The show uses some recurring themes from the original, as well as the original content.