29 December 1997 (1997-12-29) – 31 August 2000 (2000-08-31)
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 29 December 1997 to 31 August 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 work place 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 as well as having standalone episodes instead of a story arc. Actor David Gillespie stated it was added after the first series was not accessible to viewers as a comedy 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 in 1998.[1]
The three series were released on VHS in the early 2000s. In 2005, all three seasons 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?'.[citation needed] 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.
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.[citation needed]
That's Entertainment (27 July 2000): Whilst De Sade and the others worry about a drugs bust, Beach panics more about a special Christmas episode of the documentary.
Castaway (3 August 2000): The Good Guys are sent to a desert island, but Beach refuses to let the Good Guys go on a survival course.
Raging Pig (10 August 2000): Beach goes into boxing in order to stamp out corruption in the game.
The Leader (17 August 2000): Beach gets sucked into a weird cult.
Jubilee (24 August 2000): The Good Guys get a visit from the most powerful and influential family in Britain.
Operation Snowdrop (31 August 2000): Beach tries to improve the men's tolerance of minority groups, with the help of Assistant Commissioner Terra Blanche.
