British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Graham McCann
Graham McCann

Graham McCann

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Graham McCann features - page 6

An early BBC microphone. Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: Opportunity Knocked - Auditions, comedians and the BBC

Sunday 10th January 2021

The need to audition is a common obstacle in many a performer's career; but for comics hoping to secure BBC airtime from the 1940s onwards, they could be particularly demanding - and with little chance of success.

Dinner For One. Image shows from L to R: James (Freddie Frinton), Miss Sophie (May Warden) Features

Comedy Chronicles: Freddie Frinton's Dinner For One

Sunday 27th December 2020

A once much-loved British comedy sketch has acclaimed cult status on the continent whilst fading into obscurity in its home nation. This is the story of Freddie Frinton and Dinner For One.

The Morecambe & Wise Show. Image shows from L to R: Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise, Andre Previn. Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: The Prelude of Mr Preview: How André Previn won over Morecambe & Wise

Sunday 13th December 2020

We've all seen André Previn on the 1971 Morecambe & Wise Christmas special countless times. The recorded Grieg sketch, however, is but the tip of the iceberg.

Al Read. Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: Are you talking to me? How Al Read held up a mirror to Britain

Sunday 29th November 2020

Comedy was 'alternative' decades before 'alternative comedy' was even dreamt of: (re-)introducing Salford sensation, Al Read.

Groucho. Groucho Marx. Copyright: Associated-Rediffusion Television Features

Comedy Chronicles: Hello, I must be going: Groucho Marx on British TV

Sunday 15th November 2020

Groucho Marx was a superstar of American comedy who could do no wrong, but when he made a British TV series in the mid-1960s, very little went right.

Cardboard Cavalier. Sidcup Buttermeadow (Sid Field) Features

Comedy Chronicles: Desperately seeking Sid

Sunday 1st November 2020

Sid Field is perhaps the single greatest and most influential comic the western world has ever produced - but there's a very good chance you've never heard of him until now.

Eddie Braben Features

Comedy Chronicles: Happy birthday, Eddie Braben

Sunday 18th October 2020

Graham McCann pays tribute to Eddie Braben, an exceptionally prolific and talented comedy writer best remembered for The Morecambe & Wise Show.

Bless Me, Father. Father Charles Clement Duddleswell (Arthur Lowe). Copyright: London Weekend Television Features

Comedy Chronicles: Aye aye, Cap'n - Arthur Lowe at sea

Sunday 4th October 2020

The off-screen sitcom legend Arthur Lowe could be no less self-important than his on-screen characters, but in real life he also sought to sail the ocean blue...

Mary Whitehouse Features

Comedy Chronicles: Can't touch this - Comedy and cancel culture

Sunday 20th September 2020

With growing concerns over censorship, intolerance and cultural revisionism, Graham McCann looks at comedy's historical urge to break free.

The Other One. Image shows from L to R: Brian Bryant (Michael Gambon), Ralph Tanner (Richard Briers). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: The Other One - Could've done, should've done

Sunday 6th September 2020

Despite starring both Richard Briers and Michael Gambon, one late 1970s sitcom - from the writers of The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles - failed to make any public impression whatsoever. This was the other The Other One.

Steptoe And Son. Image shows from L to R: Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell), Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: Strained Relationships - Wilfrid Brambell & Harry H Corbett

Sunday 23rd August 2020

Father and son, Albert and Harold Steptoe rarely stopped bickering on screen; and the off-screen relationship between stars Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett could be rather tempestuous at times, too...

Nearest And Dearest. Image shows from L to R: Nellie Pledge (Hylda Baker), Eli Pledge (Jimmy Jewel). Copyright: Granada Television Features

Comedy Chronicles: Strained Relationships - Hylda Baker & Jimmy Jewel

Sunday 9th August 2020

As the Strained Relationships series continues, Graham McCann recounts the tale of another sitcom duo: comedians Hylda Baker and Jimmy Jewel.

Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?. Image shows from L to R: Terry Collier (James Bolam), Bob Ferris (Rodney Bewes). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: Strained Relationships - Bewes & Bolam

Sunday 26th July 2020

In the first of a new series looking at the truth behind notoriously strained relationships between comedy stars, Graham McCann sets the record straight on the infamous falling out between Likely Lads icons Rodney Bewes and James Bolam.

The Green Man. Charles Boughtflower (Terry-Thomas). Copyright: STUDIOCANAL / British Lion Features

Comedy Chronicles: Terry-Thomas - The Ibiza years

Sunday 12th July 2020

Thirty years since his death, Terry-Thomas remains the most English of screen stars. From 1968, however, the comedy icon lost his heart to a Spanish island in the middle of the Mediterranean...

Robert Morley. Copyright: Allan Warren Features

Comedy Chronicles: The many meals of Robert Morley

Sunday 28th June 2020

Actor Robert Morley was a food-loving, larger-than-life physical on-screen presence; something from which his real, personal life would rarely waver.

Fenella Fielding Features

Comedy Chronicles: The ever-intriguing Fenella Fielding

Sunday 14th June 2020

We delve deep into the career of Fenella Fielding, the icon who eschewed the limelight at every possible opportunity.

Miles Malleson. Copyright: Warner Features

Comedy Chronicles: The Mission of Miles Malleson

Sunday 31st May 2020

In this week's Comedy Chronicles, Graham McCann looks at the remarkable life and mission of prolific screen actor Miles Malleson.

Joan Turner Features

Comedy Chronicles: Joan Turner's many songs for Europe

Sunday 17th May 2020

Joan Turner was once a multi-talented comic star, but alcohol and gambling lead to a sad decline in her fortunes - summarised in one not-so-succinct Eurovision endeavour...

It Ain't Half Hot Mum. Gunner 'Lofty' Sugden (Don Estelle). Copyright: BBC Features

Comedy Chronicles: The Indomitable Don Estelle

Sunday 3rd May 2020

Graham McCann recounts the rise-and-fall from fame of Don Estelle, the sitcom star whose life was underpinned by an incredible amount of chutzpah.

Rex Harrison Features

Comedy Chronicles: Rex Harrison - His greatest hits

Sunday 19th April 2020

The jaw-dropping tale of Rex Harrison, who may have been one of Hollywood's biggest stars but elicited far more anger than admiration amongst those he met.

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