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Graham McCann
Graham McCann

Graham McCann

  • English
  • Author

Graham McCann features - page 3

Gonks Go Beat. Great Galaxian (Jerry Desmonde) Features

Comedy Chronicles - Giving it to you straight: The discreet art of Jerry Desmonde

Sunday 22nd October 2023

If a definition of a straight man is ever required, the entry should simply read: 'See Jerry Desmonde'. Comedy Chronicles recounts the career of the man once dubbed 'the prince of feeds', who worked with comics such as Sid Field and Norman Wisdom.

Image shows left to right: Dick Hills, Sid Green Features

Comedy Chronicles - Those other two fellers: Dick Hills & Sid Green

Sunday 8th October 2023

Comedy writers Dick Hills and Sid Green left Morecambe & Wise behind, only to find that the duo they had really left behind was themselves.

Mike Yarwood. Copyright: Thames Features

Comedy Chronicles: And this was him - The life, art and anxieties of Mike Yarwood

Sunday 24th September 2023

"There were three basic stages in Yarwood's career. The first was as a turn; the second was as a star; the third was as a problem." Graham McCann looks back at the work of impressionist Mike Yarwood.

June Whitfield Features

Comedy Chronicles: No ifs, no buts - and no ...ands: The star quality of June Whitfield

Sunday 10th September 2023

Despite remaining in the memory as one of British comedy's greatest comedy actors, as a woman June Whitfield was overlooked for the kind of superstar/starring chances of her male peers. Here we pay tribute to her brilliant talents.

Derek Nimmo Features

Comedy Chronicles: An Englishman abroad - The hidden life of Derek Nimmo

Sunday 27th August 2023

Derek Nimmo was, for a long time, one of Britain's favourite character actors on television and radio - but then he just seemed to start to disappear. This is the story of what he was really up to during those wilderness years.

Tons Of Trouble. Mr Pastry (Richard Hearne) Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Inn For Trouble. Dolly (Esma Cannon) Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Peter Cook Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Richard Wattis Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Bee Gees - Cucumber Castle cover Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Hugh Carleton Greene. Credit: National Portrait Gallery Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Image shows left to right: Jewel & Warriss, Jimmy Jewel, Ben Warriss Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Ton-Up Boy, pictured in Dick Emery's Cookbook. Dick Emery Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Sykes - With The Lid Off. Eric Sykes. Credit: Thames Television Features

Comedy Chronicles: 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.

Water Rats Features

Comedy Chronicles: Fraternally Yours - The 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.

The Worker. Charlie (Charlie Drake). Credit: ITV Features

Comedy Chronicles: It seemed a good idea at the time #2 - When Peter Gabriel met Charlie Drake

Sunday 26th March 2023

Comedian Charlie Drake was the subject of the inaugural Comedy Chronicles, and we return to Charlie Drake Land in this fascinating tale of his one-time encounter with the world of prog rock.

Hippodrome. Woody Allen Features

Comedy Chronicles: Woody Allen versus a boxing kangaroo

Sunday 12th March 2023

In 1966, inside an office at British TV company Rediffusion, a programme meeting reached its climax when some bright spark volunteered the idea: '...Kangaroo Boxing?'.

Tony Buffery Features

Comedy Chronicles: Utterly Buffery - The short but special comic career of Tony Buffery

Sunday 26th February 2023

A remarkable, acclaimed talent whose flirtations with comedy touched and influenced the likes of The Pythons, The Goodies and Clive James, this is the fascinating tale of neuropsychologist Tony Buffery.

Open All Hours. Albert Arkwright (Ronnie Barker). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: A nation of comedy shopkeepers

Sunday 12th February 2023

Imagine a high street, in some parallel but very-near dimension, where some of the greatest names of British comedy are in fact the proprietors and landlords of each establishment...

Raymond Allen Features

Comedy Chronicles: One sitcom did 'ave 'em - The strangely short career of Raymond Allen

Sunday 29th January 2023

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is one of Britain's favourite sitcoms, but for writer Raymond Allen it was almost his only success a comedy writer. Normally sitcoms flop and writers flourish - so why the near-opposite here?

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