
Comedy Chronicles Page 6
When Cary met Pastry: Cary Grant's friendship with Richard Hearne
Sunday 13th August 2023
The story of the perhaps unlikely-seeming friendship between Hollywood icon Cary Grant and English slapstick comic Richard Hearne, better known as the aged Mr Pastry.
The little Cannon that could: The clever cameos of Esma Cannon
Sunday 30th July 2023
A name you may not know, but if you've watched any amount of British comedy from the 1950s or 60s, a face you certainly will: this is a look at the life and career of the utterly marvellous Esma Cannon.
Pete and Club: Peter Cook's Establishment
Sunday 16th July 2023
The remarkable and little-told full story of the rise and fall of Peter Cook's famed satirical nightclub, The Establishment.
Well, really!: The crafty art of Richard Wattis
Sunday 2nd July 2023
Comedy Chronicles shines a light on one of British comedy's most reliable faces, prolific supporting actor Richard Wattis, known for a plethora of roles in officialdom.
It seemed a good idea at the time #4: The Bee Gees' Cucumber Castle
Sunday 18th June 2023
A look at the strange and exotic cultural creature that is Cucumber Castle, a one-off TV comedy special starring The Bee Gees. The story of its ill-fated creation involves commercial opportunism, professional naivety, musical differences, sibling tensions, a number of sudden misfortunes and a great deal of chaos and confusion.
The heart of the matter: The real battle of Hugh Carleton Greene
Sunday 4th June 2023
The BBC's story is long and varied, but its revolutionary free-thinking approach to television broadcasting in the 1960s is a story that is more often than not only half-told: enter Director-General Sir Hugh Carleton Greene.
The duo you don't know: Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss
Sunday 21st May 2023
Britain's favourite comedy double act before Morecambe & Wise found fame in the 1960s, cousins Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss are now largely forgotten - despite having a huge impact on radio and television comedy.
It seemed a good idea at the time #3: Dick Emery's Cookbook
Sunday 7th May 2023
In another edition of the occasional 'It seemed a good idea at the time' series, Comedy Chronicles addresses comics' forays into culinary endeavours, and the remarkably quirky Dick Emery's Cookbook.
The nation's cheerer-upper: In celebration of Eric Sykes
Sunday 23rd April 2023
Ahead of his centenary on 4th May 2023, Comedy Chronicles looks at Eric Sykes, the brilliant writer and performer who dedicated his life to making people laugh.
Brotherhood of British comedy
Sunday 9th April 2023
Graham McCann looks at the formation and membership of show business clubs The Grand Order of Water Rats and Masonic Chelsea Lodge No 3098.