The show was the first break into television for Rik Mayall,[3] who played an over-excited, anorak-wearing investigative reporter Kevin Turvey.

[4] The show was also an important early step in Tracey Ullman's television comedy career (along with Three of a Kind, first broadcast a few months before).

[5] Peter Capaldi, a trained graphic artist from Scotland, contributed to designing the show's opening sequence prior to launching his own career as an actor.

For the second series, Colin Gilbert was brought in as producer, his debut TV production with the newly formed BBC Scotland Comedy Unit.

[7] This second series was more slick and competent than the first, and Coltrane was praised for his vocal range, powerful delivery and natural acting technique.