Our BBC Store wish list
You'll probably be aware by now that the BBC launched BBC Store this week, offering digital downloads of its TV programmes, some for the first time ever.
Launching with more than 7,000 hours of content already available to buy and keep, the BBC promises there'll be another 3,000 added over the next year, averaging 50-70 hours a week, both from the massive 4,000,000-strong BBC Television Archive and brand new shows.
There's a wide variety of drama, comedy and factual programming available already, but with an initial focus on some of the corporation's biggest names and brands, such as Only Fools And Horses, Top Gear and Dad's Army, we thought we'd make a few suggestions for more obscure titles we'd like to see added to the Store in the coming months.
Think we've missed something out? Just email in or let us know via Twitter or Facebook and we'll put together a new list of what you want to see.
Incredibly, for a programme broadcast live in the early 1960s - when the practice of not recording, or recording and later reusing video tape, was rife - of 37 episodes broadcast, only ONE is missing from the archives. One of two further, unbroadcast, pilot episodes also survives.
They've already got a number of hugely important political interviews conducted by David Frost, so why not make a Frost Collection of it with TW3 and The Frost Report? With an awe-inspiring list of cast and writers, we reckon of 28 episodes & 1 unbroadcast pilot, 15 survive in full, with audio recordings of all 14 others.
Harry Enfield's Television Programme & Harry Enfield & Chums
When browsing the likes of The Fast Show and Harry & Paul on the Store, there are two screamingly obvious omissions: Harry Enfield's Television Programme and Harry Enfield & Chums. Collectively running for 28 episodes between 1990 and 1998, they're immensely important shows in the careers of some of today's best-loved comics.
Terry And June is available (in part) already, but the show from which it grew, Happy Ever After, is often forgotten about completely. Starring Terry Scott and June Whitfield in near identical roles to the latter series, 41 episodes were made in the mid 1970s.
Talking of Terry and June, the topical, weekly-themed sketch show that first saw them paired up, Scott On..., would also be a great addition to the Store's catalogue. Created for Kenneth Williams and with writers including Dick Vosburgh, Barry Took and Marty Feldman, 5 series and numerous specials were made, covering topics like marriage, money, Christmas, the permissive society, travel and law.
[link=/guide/group/comedy_playhouse/]
[/link]Comedy Playhouse
Originally conceived as a vehicle for writers Galton & Simpson, this strand of one-offs and pilots ran for 123 episodes from 1961 to 1974. We'd love to see every surviving episode available to buy and watch. Series to come from Comedy Playhouse range from Steptoe And Son to Last Of The Summer Wine, The Liver Birds and All Gas And Gaiters to Are You Being Served?.
This 1976-84 childrens' comedy has become a bit of a cult classic. Running for 9 series and 58 episodes, a DVD of the first series was released long ago and is still highly sought-after. We're sure the other 8 series of comical escapades from the fairly self-explanatory-titled series would sell well.
This pairing of sitcoms star comedy legends Hattie Jacques and Eric Sykes as siblings (identical twins, in fact!) Eric and Hat, who share a house in west London. Initially running for 9 series in the early 1960s as Sykes And A..., the format was revived and rejigged, relaunching as Sykes for another 68 episodes from 1972. A master-class in sitcom writing and acting with a fabulous cast of regulars and guests.
This 1990s smash-hit is now often derided as a simple, bland, domestic middle-class sitcom. In reality it was anything but, tackling some incredibly dark themes and putting mum Bill (Belinda Lang) centre-stage. The first few series were released on DVD in 2005 and we're forever seeing questions about the rest. Co-starring the late, great Gary Olsen, 2point4 Children is well overdue a reappraisal.
Harry Worth was the star of this single-series 1980 sitcom from Are You Being Served? and 'Allo 'Allo! creators Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, and we're not sure if it's ever been seen since. Harry is the leader of a small town's brass band, who find themselves at the centre of an anti-airport campaign. With Heathrow controversy never far aware, it'd be a timely addition.
Finally, how about all 6 series - 47 episodes - of documentary series Comedy Connections? Packed with enlightening interviews concerning some of the best BBC comedies ever made, those very connections will serve as great inspiration for what else we'd like to see.
So what do you want to see added to BBC Store? Let us know by email, Twitter or Facebook and we'll let the BBC know the most popular suggestions.
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