Ep 1. Christmas Special 2000

In the League of Gentlemen season 0 episode 1, titled "Christmas Special 2000," the quirky characters of the small Northern English town of Royston Vasey are preparing for the holiday season. The episode consists of a series of sketches and adventures featuring the show's unforgettable cast of characters, from the hilarious and disturbing plastic surgery obsessed Davids to the creepy, ominous butcher Hilary Briss.

The Christmas special opens with a parody of the opening sequence of the popular British sit-com "The Office." Instead of characters in a mundane office environment, we see Geoff the postman delivering letters and packages to the residents of Royston Vasey. This brief scene sets the tone for the episode's blend of humor and darkness.

One of the central storylines of the episode revolves around the character of Pauline, a sadistic jobs counselor who takes great pleasure in the misery of her clients. As Christmas approaches, she is tasked with organizing a nativity play for the children of Royston Vasey. Needless to say, things don't go quite according to plan.

Another memorable segment of the episode centers on the eccentric and terrifyingly enthusiastic local shop owners, Tubbs and Edward. They run a small convenience store that seems to sell mostly canned goods and cleaning products, but their real passion is for keeping "outsiders" out of Royston Vasey. In one scene, they perform an odd and unsettling holiday song for the handful of customers in their store.

The League of Gentlemen is known for its unapologetically weird characters, and many of the show's favorites make appearances in the Christmas special. There's Benjamin, the bizarre and clueless vet who seems to have perfected the art of accidentally killing animals. There's also the sinister and disturbing Papa Lazarou, a clown-like figure who kidnaps women and takes them to his "wife farm."

All of these characters and more come together for a delightfully bizarre Christmas celebration in Royston Vasey. The episode is sure to please fans of the show and anyone who enjoys offbeat comedy with a dark twist.