Asylum was a British comedy series shown on Paramount Comedy Channel in 1996. Set in a mental asylum, it lasted for only one series of six episodes. Unlike traditional sitcoms or comedy television shows, it was to some extent an opportunity for standup routines by various comedians, mixed with an overall story involving much black humour. It is significant for involving a large number of British comedians, many who have gone on to work on some of the most successful comedy programmes of the last decade. Many of the characters used the names of the actors.

David Devant & His Spirit Wife were the "house band" for the series, performing segments in every episode, from their first album, Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous. The lead-in track Ginger provided the programme's title music.

It has never been released on DVD however there is a online movement for it and has been available to download via various BitTorrent websites.

Cast and crew

• Co-writer & director - Edgar Wright (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead)
• Co-writer - David Walliams (Little Britain)

Recurring Characters

• Dr Lovett - Norman Lovett (Red Dwarf)
• Simon - Simon Pegg (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Big Train)
• Martha & Nurse McFadden - Jessica Stevenson (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Black Books)
• Victor Munro - Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh)
• Paul - Paul Morocco ^*
• Adam - Adam Bloom (The Problem with Adam Bloom)
• Nobby Shanks - Mick O'Connor

Guest stars

• Paul Tonkinson ^*
• John Moloney ^*
• Bill Bailey (Is It Bill Bailey?, Black Books, Spaced)
• Howard Haigh
• Andy Parsons
• Henry Naylor

External links

• Online Petition calling for DVD release

Sitcoms | British television sitcoms