Whenever a new sketch comedy show comes along, the inevitable comparison to Monty Python is never far behind. But the Pythons were so far ahead of their times and cast such a wide shadow that few if any sketch shows manage to be much more than pale imitations (in my opinion: Mr. Show, The State, and SCTV are the only real contenders).

And then there’s Little Britain, which almost seems to share actual DNA with the Pythons. No mere imitation, though: stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams have picked and chosen from elements of their forbears and produced their own unique strain. Viewers who have seen it know there’s nothing quite like it. The show is grotesque, bizarre, and… totally hilarious. Lucas and Walliams have combined disturbing characters, goofy catchphrases, and layer upon layer of prosthetics to produce some of the most memorable sketch comedy in years.

And now HBO has announced that it has picked up the show, which has already run for three seasons in the UK, for an “Americanized” version.  This won’t be like the NBC remakes of The Office or (shudder) Coupling, as Lucas and Walliams are producing and starring in entirely new episodes:

[Walliams] described the new series as a sketch show set in contemporary America.

“We are taking some existing characters and writing new material for them, as well as introducing new characters and ideas,” Walliams said.

His comedy partner Lucas said they had “huge respect” for US comedy and that working with HBO would be “a great experience for both of us”.

In the meantime, you could do a lot worse than get ready for the Little British invasion (remember, Borat came over here in much the same fashion, as part of HBO’s import of Da Ali G Show) by catching previous series of the show on DVD or on BBC America. (Ahem… Assuming you’re in America, that is.)