It's 1997, and The Brittas Empire had ended with the reveal that the entirety of the series was All Just a Dream. Despite this, however, this wasn't the final end of Gordon Brittas and his staff just yet...
Enter Get Fit With Brittas, a miniseries Spin-Off airing on BBC1 over the course of July and August 1997. The premise is simple: Gordon Brittas has had a check-up with his doctor, Radio Times doctor Mark Porter, and has been told that he is simply too sedentary. As such, the series is about Mark Porter helping Brittas to improve his lifestyle in a way that is intended to be educational and entertaining to the audience by highlighting the importance of healthy living. Also assisting Brittas in this is a plethora of Guest Stars and some of the rest of the cast of the parent series in walk-on roles.
Tropes included in the series:
- As Himself: A recurring character is Mark Porter, a Radio Times doctor at the time who was playing as himself. The Special Guests which show up also count.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: Seeing as this is a show which is meant to educate the public, this is a given, with Brittas frequently addressing the audience.
- British Brevity: Just one series of 6 episodes, released in 10-minute installments, were ever made.
- Denser and Wackier: Manages to be even more detached from reality then the parent series ever was - in "Gordon Works It Out" alone, there are cases of Breaking the Fourth Wall and Brittas interacting with a man through a TV. There's also a more outwardly edutainment aspect to it, with Brittas learning about a different healthy-living-based aesop each episode.
- Doctor's Orders: The show begins with Brittas being told from his doctor that he needs to get more active, which he agrees with. As such, the series focuses on Brittas trying out his doctor’s advice, with the title of the first episode even being called “Doctor’s Orders”.
- Edutainment Show: Although it is delivered in a humorous manner, the main intent of this miniseries was to teach the public how to keep themselves fit and healthy.
- From the Ashes: The entire series came and went several months after the conclusion of the final series of the parent show.
- Genre Shift: From a purely workplace-based comedy to an Edutainment Show based on healthy living with some humorous elements.
- Groin Attack: Brittas is kicked in the nuts by Lesley Joseph in one episode for being an annoying twat.
- Lighter and Softer: On top of the new educational aspects of the show, the one episode up online showcases none of the Black Comedy that the parent show is known for.
- Out-of-Character Moment: Brittas' characterization here doesn't fully align with how he is portrayed in the parent series. For instance, the first episode claims that he leads too sedentary a lifestyle, strange considering how obsessed he is with health and fitness in the parent series itself. This is also to say nothing of his openly flirtatious behavior towards a woman who isn't his wife (Lesley Joseph) in "Gordon Works It Out", a character trait which doesn't align with his otherwise relative lack of interest towards women other than Helen in the parent series. note
- Out of Focus: Compared to the main series, Colin, Helen, Julie, and Carole have much less focus here, only appearing in one episode each out of a six-episode miniseries. It's still a better showing than the rest of the staff outside of Brittas, who are complete no-shows.
- Public Service Announcement: Although not produced by the Government, this miniseries is very similar in style to these announcements, with the cast of Brittas showing up to educate the audience on topics such as exercise and healthy eating.
- Sequel Non-Entity: Linda, Tim, and Gavin do not appear whatsoever in this miniseries.
- Ship Tease: Brittas is quite flirty with Joesph in "Gordon Works It Out".
- Special Guest: Each episode would usually have at least one celebrity show up to assist in educating the public. For instance, "Gordon Works It Out" had Lesley Joseph (who starred in Birds of a Feather).
- The Television Talks Back: At one point in "Gordon Works It Out", Brittas converses with Radio Times doctor Mark Porter whilst he's on TV.
- Tie-In Novel: Although little is known about it, one was released alongside the series in 1997. Presumably, it would have been a book on the importance of exercise.
- Workout Fanservice: Seeing as the miniseries is about the importance of exercise, several members of the cast, including Brittas and Julie, have been depicted wearing surprisingly revealing outfits whilst working out.
