Quote: Magnus D @ January 23, 2008, 1:15 PMBenny Hill ... may have been a little sexist or racist on his shows...
The thing people forget when they make such purile criticisms (particularly in terms of the supposed sexism) is that the apparent targets were more often than not also participants in the sketches, and quite willingly. There's no fear in the eyes of the Hill's Angels that they'd be branded with a white-hot poker if they didn't get their baps out!
Yes, good show that was. Not exactly what one might term as "scientifically accurate", but food for thought to certain types of people within the industry, and society at large, who constantly criticise similar humour and such.
Quote: Griff @ January 23, 2008, 11:55 AMI like Gyles Brandreth. He was at a party I went to at the Edinburgh Festival a couple of years ago and he was charm personified.
He wasn't trying to pull you was he?
Interesting choice with Never the Twain Chipolata. I too am a fan, not trendy but makes you laugh. Sitcoms I like that seem to fit into this catogary are: On the Buses, Two in Clover, The Doctor series, Bless this House, Please Sir and Sykes. There are many more.
Quote: Griff @ January 23, 2008, 8:34 PMHe wasn't trying to pull you was he?
He was certainly very attentive to my other half...
I take it your other half is a bloke.
Quote: Jack Massey @ January 23, 2008, 8:33 PMInteresting choice with Never the Twain Chipolata. I too am a fan, not trendy but makes you laugh. Sitcoms I like that seem to fit into this catogary are: On the Buses, Two in Clover, The Doctor series, Bless this House, Please Sir and Sykes. There are many more.
Is it possible for Sykes to be "un trendy", as far as the sitcom world goes? I mean, is there any disputing that Eric is a leg-end?
Quote: Aaron @ January 23, 2008, 10:21 PMIs it possible for Sykes to be "un trendy", as far as the sitcom world goes? I mean, is there any disputing that Eric is a leg-end?
At work we're doing something about Douglas Bader and they described him as a Leg end.
Sykes is a legend no doubt about Sykes. I love the show Sykes, but I can see myself being in a minority as it is very predictable, chirpy humour with no swearing, I can't see that appealing to alot of people, but I found it funny. One thing I will say about Sykes though is that at the end of an episode you're either going to be delighted or dissapointed. Because of the input Sykes put in to it- writing and starring in it and you must also bear in mind his hearing and sight were very bad (there were times where he would be handwriting a script, his pen ran out, he didn't notice and carry on writing down to the bottom of the page), it was very inconscitent. About half the episodes were poor/mediocre, but the other half were undeniably brilliant- ranking as some of the greatest sitcom episodes (an example being the series 1 episode Uncle). So because of this, I regard Sykes as one of the best British Sitcoms ever.
Duty Free. Keith Baron is a greatly undervalued comic actor. And the older he gets, the more he seems to be turning into the spitting image of Tom Baker, who is himself turning into Ken Russell.
Cannon and Ball. Saw them live once and had an excellent time. Like Hale and Pace there was a time when they were regarded as being very good. Don't know what they're up to now. I thnk one or both has "found" religion
Like a lot of comedians who get old and fall from favour, they end up doing shows at Blackpool. And didn't they pop up on I'm a Celebrity get Me Out of Here a few years back? But I agree, I used to love them as a kid ("Ooo, I could crush a grape," "You little liar!", etc)
Pretty sure that they still do do the odd show, mainly as hinted, short summer runs on piers.
Primarily a result of my Dad being a huge fan, as a kid I used to love Cannon & Ball, back in the day when they were primetime stalwarts.
Also watching Ken Dodd live for the second time in a year this coming Friday. He really is as sharp as a tack and I can't help but think that I'm seeing the last flag-bearer of a classic age of comedian...
My problem with Ken Dodd is that, like Fidel Castro, his stage shows last forever.