Iconic sketch 90s show to make a return after over 20 years

When Doon MacKichan, Sally Phillips, and Fiona Allen first galloped onto our screens in the iconic sketch show Smack the Pony, they brought with them a brand of surreal humor and sharp satire that resonated deeply with a generation of comedy fans. Now, over two decades after the show's final episode aired in 2003, the trio is reuniting for a television special, with work already underway on brand-new sketches.

Smack the Pony was more than just a fleeting moment in the 1990s comedy landscape, it was a defining show of its era. Phillips, Allen, and MacKichan's surreal humor and biting satire spoke to a generation of viewers who were hungry for something new and innovative. The show's impact was not lost on its creators, who have been quietly working on new material in the intervening years.

Appearing on the Sunday Brunch Picky Bits podcast, Phillips confirmed that the long-awaited return is indeed in the works. "We've been offered a special, so we'll do a special," she revealed, leaving little doubt about the project's status. While no transmission date has yet been announced, Phillips' comments suggest that the special is no longer just wishful thinking but an active project.

For longtime viewers, the news will feel especially satisfying after the show's creators spent years trying to bring it back. Back in 2019, MacKichan revealed that the trio had already written new sketches and pitched a revival to broadcasters, only to be repeatedly turned down. Speaking at the time, she feared that the cast's age had become a stumbling block. "It's just been really difficult," she said. "We've pitched to a few places and it's not happening. I don't know whether it's older women but it's not happening, which is, to me, astonishing."

Fortunately for fans, attitudes appear to have changed. The group's reunion at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year was a resounding success, with Phillips revealing that she was stunned by the response. "It went well actually," she said. "People came and liked it. It was amazing that these sketches that I'd done at 27, people knew the lines to now. It was really touching." The revival will reunite many of the creative minds behind the original, including writers who contributed to the show's writers room.

While fans can expect plenty of fresh material, the revival will also include many of the classic sketches that made Smack the Pony a beloved cult classic. The show's unique blend of surreal humor and sharp satire will undoubtedly continue to resonate with both old and new fans alike. With work already underway on brand-new sketches, it's clear that Smack the Pony's return is more than just a nostalgic throwback, it's a bold new chapter in the show's ongoing legacy.

The return of Smack the Pony is evidence of the enduring power of comedy to bring people together and transcend time. As Sally Phillips' comments suggest, the special is no longer just a pipe dream, but an active project that will delight fans old and new. With its unique blend of humor and satire, Smack the Pony is sure to gallop back onto our screens with the same irreverent spirit that made it a beloved cult classic in the first place.