The Melting Pot by Spike Milligan

Does anyone recall this show? They made a whole series back in 1975, but only one was aired due to the nature of the content being seen as potentially racist. My mum's companion (sort of stepfather though they never married) was in it playing a Scottish Arab - Sheikh Yamani. I managed to get hold of a book of the scripts for him just before Christmas. Trouble is it was obviously a fire-salvaged copy as it was smoke and water damaged so was unable to give it as a gift. I got my money back though and they promised to send me another copy, but I was just wondering if anyone remembers watching it at the time?

Borrowed the script book from an Uncle of mine some time ago. I read it and it was very dodgy stuff and was of no surprise really to see the BBC pull the plug. Though I do remember some funny stuff in it, such as the fact that the toilet chain was in Spike Milligan's room.
I wasn't born when the opening episode was broadcast. I think with blacking up, I have seen Spike do it in 'Curry & Chips' and it wasn't done convincingly unlike Michael Bates in 'It Aint Half Hot Mum' where he portrayed Rangi Ram with some great acting.
On the subject of IAHHM, I was really pissed off yesterday. I was in HMV and I had a look at the newly released eighth series of the show. On the back of the case it said it was a PG and said next to it 'Contains Mild Language, Sex References and Smoking Scenes' How ridiculous is that, having to be warned that there is smoking in it. Oh, Windsor Davies is smoking, that's it, I'm becoming a twenty a day man.

I wouldn't have like to see the series. Even just the one episode would be great. With the impending release of Curry & Chips I guess we're at least seeing some willingness and maturity from DVD distributors, in not worrying about the non-PC whining babies, but the BBC are absolutely terrible at releasing archive programmes at all, so I'm not sure what chances this one actually has.

Quote: Aaron @ January 1 2010, 8:26 PM GMT

I wouldn't have like to see the series. Even just the one episode would be great.

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?

Translated as:

"I would really like to see the series..."

Not everyday someone can pull you up on typing errors. Underneath your original post, can you please put in Italics- Edited by Jack Massey.

I have the book of the scripts. Good fun and some of the material ended up in The Looney, which I think is one of Spike's best works of fiction.

Vaguely remember the broadcast as having had some promise, but doubtless it would all seem very dodgy now.

I should have got my mum's companion Series 6 of Are You Being Served? on DVD in hindsight. He was in the episode 'The Club' playing the customer with the revolving behind. No chance of fire damaged goods turning up from play.com.

Ha! Ace.

Quote: Aldeem @ January 1 2010, 7:13 PM GMT

My mum's companion (sort of stepfather though they never married) was in it playing a Scottish Arab - Sheikh Yamani.

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So your sort-of stepfather was Ishaq Bux? He has an incredible resume, having appeared in all sorts of things, such as Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (I remember his scene was in the back of a van of illegal immigrants), Minder, On The Buses, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Metal Mickey and even a Carry On and a James Bond film. Up there with the ubiquitous Harry Fielder.

No, his name is Anthony Brothers as credited as Sheikh Yamani in the book The Melting Pot. His other claims to fame that I remember offhand are stand in for Roger Moore when he was Bond, glimpsed in the art gallery scene of Hancock's 'The Rebel' (scary seeing it some 40 years later) and I believe he did a bit on Rutland Weekend Television.

Quote: Jack Massey @ January 1 2010, 9:11 PM GMT

can you please put in Italics.

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Aaron is crap at languages - especially foreign ones.

Quote: Aldeem @ January 5 2010, 2:29 PM GMT

No, his name is Anthony Brothers as credited as Sheikh Yamani in the book The Melting Pot. His other claims to fame that I remember offhand are stand in for Roger Moore when he was Bond, glimpsed in the art gallery scene of Hancock's 'The Rebel' (scary seeing it some 40 years later) and I believe he did a bit on Rutland Weekend Television.

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Sorry about that, I stupidly assumed that anyone playing the stereotypical Arab around that time would have been Ishaq Bux. According to IMDB, Anthony Brothers was also in a Sykes episode.