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Gavin & Stacey

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Gavin & Stacey is a British sitcom written by James Corden and Ruth Jones about two families: one in Billericay, Essex; one in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. Mathew Horne and Joanna Page play the eponymous characters Gavin and Stacey, while Corden and Jones star as Smithy and Nessa. Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb star as Gavin's parents Pam and Mick, Melanie Walters plays Stacey's mother Gwen, and Rob Brydon plays Stacey's uncle Bryn.

Template:Infobox televisionBaby Cow Productions produced the sitcom for BBC Wales. Three series totalling twenty episodes were broadcast from 13 May 2007 to 1 January 2010 on BBC Three and later on BBC One. Broadcast on Christmas Day 2009 and New Year's Day 2010, episodes of the final series formed a significant part of the prime-time BBC seasonal programming.

Gavin & Stacey was directed by Christine Gernon, who had previously directed other BBC sitcoms such as One Foot in the Grave. Acclaimed as both a hit and a breakthrough show for the BBC, it was the most nominated show in the 2007 British Comedy Awards. It won several awards, including the British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA) Audience Award, and the British Comedy Awards Best TV Comedy Award, both in 2008. In 2019, Gavin & Stacey was named the 17th-greatest British sitcom in a poll by Radio Times.[1]

Corden and Jones wrote a Christmas Day 2019 special for BBC One. With 18.49 million viewers, the broadcast was the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade and the most-watched comedy in 17 years.[2][3][4] One final special episode of the show will air on Christmas Day 2024 on BBC One.[5][6]

Synopsis

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The story revolves around Gavin, from Billericay in Essex, and Stacey, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, in South Wales. Gavin lives with his parents, Pam and Mick, and spends most of his time with his best friend, Smithy. Stacey lives with her widowed mother, Gwen, and is frequently visited by her uncle, Bryn, who lives across the road, and by her best friend Nessa. The show follows the key moments in their relationship: their first meeting, meeting each other's families, getting engaged, marrying, looking for a flat, briefly splitting up, looking for new jobs and trying for children. The characters of Gavin and Stacey provide the emotional core of the story, focusing on the situations that arise when their relationship brings their two different families together. As a result, episodes often focus on the key events in life that bring wider families and close friends together such as weddings, christenings, birthday parties and Christmases. However, the show also presents the families interacting in deliberately non-dramatic situations, such as a visit to the beach and nights out. In these scenes, the subtle dialogue between the characters often contains underlying jokes or comedic value.

The series also follows the contrasting relationship between Smithy and Nessa. Despite their dislike for each other, they have several one-night stands, leading to Nessa becoming pregnant and having their baby. Whilst Gavin and Stacey are the clear main characters, towards the end of the show's run, the dramatic emphasis switches slightly from them, as they resolve their distance issues, to Smithy and Nessa, as Nessa becomes engaged to another man.

Other storylines in the three series include Pam's fake vegetarianism, Bryn and his nephew Jason's struggle to keep the events of their disastrous fishing trip a secret, and the ridiculously rocky marriage of Pam and Mick's friends Pete and Dawn.

Series 1, Episode 1

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Bryn: The truth is, I don't want anyone in this room being raped, myself included.
Nessa: Six quid for two slices of pizza. They takes the piss, these Cockneys.
Smithy (talking about Nessa): This is a nightmare of epic proportions.
Gavin: What's wrong with her?
Smithy: A, how old is it? B, have you seen the tattoo? And three, look at the size of it!
[Stacey and Nessa return from the bathroom]
Gavin: Been powdering your nose?
Nessa: Oh thanks Stace, thanks a lot. Look, let's get one thing straight. I dont touch that shit no more, alright? I did and now I don't. So let that be an end to it!
[Nessa and Stacey leave]
Smithy: And to top it all off, she's a drug addict.
Smithy (to Gavin about Nessa): You got any johnnies? I ain't going in there bareback.
Smithy: I'm so ravenous I can barely see.
Pamela: You wanna Pammy's full English?
Smithy: You read my mind.

Series 1, Episode 2

[edit]
Smithy (drunk doing the pub quiz): Question 30 is, erm... Oh, is, erm... Is erm... Oh! I know the answer. Kriss Akabusi.
Mick: Unbelievable.
Pam (to Gavin and Stacey): Just to say, your Dad's out for the count and I'll put me ear plugs in. So let yourselves go. Don't worry about a thing. Night.
[Pete Sutcliffe notices his wife, Dawn, staring as Gavin kisses Stacey at the bar]
Pete: Stop gawping at them, woman!
Dawn: Oh, excuse me if I've forgotten what romance looks like, you pathetic lump of shit!
[Stacey has a nasty pimple on her face, and Pam has taken her to the bathroom to sort it out]
Pam: Okay, darling, this isn't gonna hurt a bit...
[Short pause]
Stacey: OW!

Series 1, Episode 3

[edit]
Stacey: I need your advice, I do.
Nessa: Go for it.
Stacey: Should I tell Gav about the other engagements? Or should I just leave it? Thing is, things are going so lush and if I tell him I might just wreck everything. And it's not that big a deal is it?
Nessa: That depends. This reminds me of a very similar situation I was in with my second husband, Clive. I was faced with a dilemma, whether to lie, or not to lie. And I chose to tell the truth.
Stacey: And what happened?
Nessa: He died. Firing squad. Terrible way to go Stace and I wouldn't like to see it happen to you. Smugglers we were. If it weren't for my relationship with John Prescott I'd still be in that jail right now. So yeah, in answer to your question, I'd say no, don't tell him.
Nessa: I don't know you from Adam. And he's been barred twice.
Pam: D'you know I have no idea what my name means in Welsh.
Nessa: Why.
Pam: 'Cause I don't speak the lingo darling!
Nessa: No in Welsh, Pam means why... or brick.
Pam (holding shopping bags): Oh, by the way, this food isn't food food. Oh, God, no. Everyones catered for. Catered for everyone well in advance, no. It's just that this morning, before you arrived, I became a vegetarian. Yeah, veggie, so that's what this is. Out of interest, any one of you vegetarians? I mean, not that it makes any difference to me either way. I mean, we're all adults.
Mick: Pam!
Pam: But, I would ask you to respect my views. And all the little animals who've been needlessly murdered in the name of Western Civilised greed.
[After Nessa and Smithy both take the same plate]
Smithy: No, you're alright, take it.
Nessa: No, you take it.
Smithy: I don't want it. It's fine.
Nessa: But you like taking it.
Smithy: Right. That's out of order. I've got a girlfriend that this family know so...
Nessa: Oh, get a life, Smithy.
Mick: Do you drive Nessa?
Nessa: I don't Mick, which is a shame, cos I loves a good ride.
Pam (to Gwen): Oh, give it a rest, you leek-munching sheep-shagger!

Series 1, Episode 4

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Stacey: You are coming to this wedding fair, aren't you?
Bryn: I can't wait. I was so excited last night, I couldn't get to sleep till half-past ten!
[In the car playing 'Cruise, Marry, Shag']
Mick: Say it!
Smithy: Go on!
Gavin: Alright, alright, so I'd have to shag Pauline Fowler wouldn't I? Can we stop now?
Pam: Do you know, I said to Mick, if we had another son, I'd have loved him to be a homosexual. You know, for fashion advice and emotional support.
Gwen: Jason's good as gold like that. I miss him terribly, I do. Lights up a room.
Pam: Aaw! Like a little Will Young.
[Trying on a wedding dress]
Stacey: I know it's white, right. But who can honestly say, hand on heart, they're a virgin these days?
Magician: I can saw the bride in half. I can saw the groom in half. I can saw the best man in half.
Bryn: Can you saw me in half?
Magician: What relationship are you to the bride or groom?
Bryn: Bride's uncle.
Magician: No.
Bryn: But, hang on! Her father, my brother, he's dead! See?
Magician: Oh right. Yeah, well, that does change things.
Pam: You're gonna have to smuggle me some meat!
Mick: How?
Pam: Put it in your pocket.
Mick: Chilli con carne in my pocket? Are you insane?

Series 1, Episode 5

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[When Gavin's phone starts ringing]
Gavin: Oh, it's Gareth Gates. I'll take it outside. He'll be ages.
Nessa: Oh! Stace. Don't get me wrong, but to be honest, at the end of the day, when all said and done...d'you know what I mean?
Everyone: Yeah.
Nessa: Simple as.
Bryn: On HTV Wales this morning, they said Cardiff town had been literally decimated by a group of unruly school girls. Joking I am! It wasn't on the news. Although, on the news, there was a story about a group of school girls who actually stabbed a teacher, which I think is disgusting.
Smithy: I can't eat this.
Fingers: I know, it's nasty in it.
Smithy: No, it's beautiful, it's just I can't believe it.
Gavin: What?
Smithy: Shut up.
Gavin: Eh?!
Smithy: How dare you, pathetic.
Chinese Alan: Smithy!
Budgie: Stay out of it, Chinese Alan.
Gavin: What's wrong?
Smithy: I've had enough. You've gone, you're someone else's.
Dirtbox: Ignore him, he's pissed!
Smithy: Best man. Best mates since we was four. And now it's over!
Gavin: You're just drunk, we'll always be mates, you know that.
Smithy: My dad ain't seen his best man for 7 years. When him and my mum got divorced, he sent an e-mail. Degrading. He ain't been round our house since 1991.
Dirtbox: Who, your uncle Keith?
Smithy: That's the one.
Jesus: But he emigrated to Canada...
Smithy: Look who's opened his mouth. You're always first with the advice aren't you Jesus? You know what? No-one even wanted you here tonight, I had to make that t-shirt last minute!
Everyone: *That's not true!*
Smithy: It is true! I can't stand ya! And if Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, he can shove it up his arse.
Jesus: What've I done?
Smithy: I'm going home. I made a fool of myself.
Gavin: Smithy, come on.
Smithy: Shut up.
[Smithy picks up kebab]:
Gavin: What you doing with that?
Smithy: I'll have it tomorrow.
[Smithy leaves with kebab]:
Dirtbox: Nice one Jesus!
Jesus: What did I do?!
Dirtbox: Shut up!
Jesus: What did I do?!
Dirtbox: Shut up!
Jesus: He's clearly in a mood!
Dirtbox: Shut up! Tit.


Bryn (to Gavin): I am picking you up at seven. We're going straight down the Dolphin for a right good knees-up. Me cockney sparr-ah!

Series 1, Episode 6

[edit]
Gavin (Talking about Jason): If I was gay, I think I'd like to be like him.
Smithy: Yeah, me too.
Gavin: You? Well, you'd have to lose a bit of weight.
Smithy: Why?
Gavin: Well, fat gays are like outcasts.
Smithy: No, they're not.
Gavin: Dale Winton, Graham Norton, George Michael. Who's not in their gang? Russel Grant.
Smithy: Russel Grant's not gay.
Gavin: He is fat though.
Mick: You got those maps?
Smithy: Shit!
Mick: Oh, you're kidding me!
Smithy: I left them at Lucy's. She was colouring them in. I can't believe this!
Nessa: How it's going, all right?
Smithy: Ok, I'm glad you brought it up. Cos, I've got a girlfriend who a lot of people here know, so I'd appreciate it...
Nessa: Where to's she now then?
Smithy: What?
Nessa: Where to's she now?
Smithy: Right, either speak English or learn Welsh. Cos that 'Where to's she...?' Do you mean where is she now?
Nessa: Yeah.
Smithy: Say that, then.
Nessa: Where is she now?
Smithy: Sixth-formers' netball tournament in Southend. She couldn't get out of it. She's wing attack.
Doris: Mr and Mrs Shipman? That's bad luck by anyones standards.
Griff: What now?
Doris: Well she lives for the day she change her name from West, what with all the connotations and what have you, and what does she become? A Shipman.
Griff: Ah, that's very unfortunate. I don't know which is worse.
Doris: Surely Shipman?
Griff: Well, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Doris: It was more than half a dozen, Griff. It was in the hundreds.
Bryn (messing with his new digital camera): I've got night mode. Black and white. Use that later, probably, for effect. Er... Sepia, see-pia. I don't know how you say it. Got a feeling it's faulty. Just makes everything go brown.
Nessa (talking about Smithy): I just can't believe this, Stace. Of all the people I've slept with, it's him that gets me pregnant. Not Nigel Havers, not John Prescott, not any of Goldie Lookin Chain. No, some knobhead from Essex.

Series 2, Episode 1

[edit]
Nessa: I used to drive the sets for The Who on their world tours. Great days. Till I found out some things about Pete Townshend that I didn't like. And all I'll say is - and I said it to his face - where is the book?

Series 2, Episode 2

[edit]
Smithy (about Nessa's pregnancy): How long have you known about this?
Gavin: I just found out tonight.
Smithy (stands up): Bullshit!
Gavin: I did.
Mick: He did, we all found out tonight.
Smithy: Oh, right. So, everyone found out before me?
Bryn: No, I found out at the exact same time as you, Smithy.
Smithy (pointing at Stacey): I bet she knew.
Stacey: I only found out at the wedding!
Smithy: That was over three weeks ago!
Gavin: Oh, come on mate!
Smithy: Don't 'come on' me, mate! This is all your fault!
Pam & Gavin: How?!
Smithy: You and her, ringing each other and texting, arranging to meet up in Leicester Square! (Kicks table and moves to Gavin) I didn't even wanna go that day! If you hadn't dragged me there, none of this would have happened!
Nessa: It didn't happen that day.
Smithy: What?
Nessa: It happened at Pam and Mick's.
Gwen: When you went off, in the garden.
Smithy: That?! That doesn't count, that was rubbish!
Nessa: I know.
Bryn: I stand corrected. I'm putting my window up. Ignore me. I'm mister blabbermouth.
Smithy: I don't wanna marry that!
Nessa: I don't wanna marry you, I'd have said "no".
Smithy: Yeah, right you would.
Nessa: Oh! Don't diss me infront of people, I'd have said "no"!
Smithy: Why? I'm a catch!
Bryn (whispering): He is.
Smithy: Have you looked in the mirror recently? You look like you should be in Amsterdam doing tricks for Mars bars!
Nessa: Oh thanks Stace! Thanks a lot! That was over ten years ago!
Bryn (whilst hugging Gavin): I'm gonna miss this.
Gavin: What?
Bryn: Nothing.

Series 2, Episode 3

[edit]
Pam: Have you had your breakfast then?
Stacey: Well, sort of. I had a brunch I did. Oh I got up so late cos i set the alarm for ten but I didn't get up till gone eleven and I thought well I'm too early for lunch and I'm too late for breakfast, so I just had a banana. But if anything that made me more hungry. So I ended up having a sandwich, some cereal and a yogurt, which is brunch innit? So I rang my mum and I said I've just had my first ever brunch.
Pam: I'm not being funny Stacey, but you wanna get a life. What you said just now was really boring.
Nessa (seeing boys playing on slot machines): Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! What does that sign say? (points to Welsh-only sign) Peidiwch â chyffwrdd a'r peiriannau (Do not touch the machines); now sling your hooks or I'll break your face.
Smithy: I've been thinking about ending it all to be honest, suicide...bigtime. How many Nurofen would I need to finish me off?
Gavin: You? You'd need hundreds.
Smithy: Can't afford that can I? Not if I'm gonna have an holiday this year.
Doris (to Gavin): Hey stop it you, you're a married man now! Although (quieter and deadly serious), if you are interested in that sort of thing, you know, I'm very open minded and discreet, OK?

Series 2, Episode 4

[edit]
Pete: Can I ask you a personal question?
Mick: Sure.
Pete: Where did you get them oven gloves?
Smithy (to Gavin): Gavinda Jaya Jaya!
Pam: What's going on?
Nessa: I don't know, Pam. All I know is if I don't eat this now I'm gonna faint.
Smithy: Me too. I can barely breathe.

Series 2, Episode 5

[edit]
Smithy (about Nessa): She just sucks me in, she's like a Dyson!
Smithy: There's some graffiti on a toilet brush in the men's cubicle at the Rose and Crown which I reckon is aimed at me.
Gavin: What does it say?
Smithy: Smithy was 'ere.
Bryn (about Smithy): He's a lovely looking boy. Not in the conventional sense, like Gavin or Enrique Iglesias, but he's got a lovely spirit. A confidence, if you will, that you rarely find in a fat man.
Stacey: Gav, I need to talk to you.
Gavin: Yeah?
Stacey: On our own?
Gavin: Yeah.
Smithy: So, I have to go, do I? Hideous.

Series 2, Episode 6

[edit]
Gavin: There's nothing really to say. She's down there, I'm up here. It's not over it's just...
Smithy: Not a marriage anymore.
Gavin: She's still my wife!
Smithy: On paper.
Gavin: Thanks Smithy, this is really cheering me up!
Pete: You're an embarrasment!
Dawn: Oh, Im an embarrasment! I'm an embarrasment? Take a look in the mirror, you pre op!

Series 2, Episode 7

[edit]
(Rudi saying goodbye to Smithy after doing epic secret hand shake before he leave to go see Nessa having their baby) “Smithy, you ain’t heavy yeah? You’re my brother”
[After Gavin tells Smithy that Stacey broke up with him]
Smithy: Look, if she's serious, if she means it, which I don't think she does, then she's a fool. Cause theres no one else I'd rather wake up next to than you. No one I'd rather wanna look after me, hold me, cook for me, keep me warm at night.
[Nessa in labour at the hospital]
Nessa: Hia, Stace, Pam, Mick. I'm on the gas, I am. It's messing with my head, I'm not gonna lie to you.
Nessa: Dave, I need you, I need you now.
Pam: Oh my Christ!
Bryn: That's the gas talking, Dave.
Nessa: No, it's not. Come on. Climb on.
Dave: Now's not the time, Ness.
Nessa: How'd it go with Gav, alright?
Stacey: I think it's over, Ness.
Nessa: You'd be a fool to let that one go. He's cracking. Even if he is a bit short.
Nurse: Right then, Nessa. We're going to need you down on all fours.
Nessa: No worries. That's a home from home for me that, love.
Nurse: And me.
Stacey: Me as well.
Pam: I always thought you was called Colin.
Smithy: Colin?
Pam: Yeah, Colin.
Smithy: Why?
Pam: Well, it's been so long, darling. I can't remember.

Christmas Special 2008

[edit]
Bryn: You think they've thought of it all, you think "Where can they go with this next?" and then they hit you with it. I mean mint Baileys! Whatever will they think of next!

Dawn: Pete, this has nothing to do with you!
(About Nessa) Go on Pam, hit her in the face.
Nessa: Wha' you saying Dawn?
Dawn: I'm telling her to punch you in the face, you truck-driving dyke!

[edit]
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  1. ↑ Fawlty Towers named best British sitcom of all time, beating Blackadder and Only Fools and Horses. The Independent, 9 April 2010.
  2. ↑ "Gavin and Stacey is biggest comedy for 17 years". BBC News. 2 January 2020. 
  3. ↑ @JKCorden (28 May 2019). Ruth Jones and I have been keeping this secret for a while... We’re excited to share it with you. See you on Christ….
  4. ↑ Gavin & Stacey Christmas special trailer released. RTE (1 December 2019).
  5. ↑ Evans, Catherine (3 May 2024). What can we expect from the final Gavin and Stacey?. BBC.
  6. ↑ Cormack, Morgan (3 May 2024). Gavin & Stacey confirms final ever episode and air date with BTS pic. Radio Times.
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