Comedy Connections
- TV documentary
- BBC Two / BBC One
- 2003 - 2008
- 47 episodes (6 series)
A series of comedy documentaries, examining one hit comedy show per episode, with cast and crew interviews providing additional background info. Features Julia Sawalha and Doon Mackichan.
Series menu
Series 6
1. Till Death Us Do Part
Friday 18th July 2008
The sitcom was the most controversial, offensive and original programme of its time with the foul-mouthed, East London, bigot, Alf Garnett becoming one of Britain's greatest comedy characters. Comedy Connections reveals how Peter Sellars was the original choice to play Alf, lifts the lid on the simmering tensions between actors Warren Mitchell and Tony Booth, and discusses the language and racial attitudes displayed by Alf Garnett.
Interviewees include Warren Mitchell, Anthony Booth, Una Stubbs, Kenny Lynch, Ken Campbell, producers Richard Boden and William G Stewart, and former Controller of BBC One Michael Peacock.
2. Yes Minister
Friday 25th July 2008
The series charting the history of the best of British comedy looks at Yes Minister and its follow-up Yes, Prime Minister, which charted the rise of an unlikely Prime Minister and achieved massive success over five series. Written by Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay, the satire captured the public imagination by revealing the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing of Westminster.
With contributions from Sir Antony Jay, Jonathan Lynn, Derek Fowlds, and Lord Donoughue.
3. The Liver Birds
Friday 1st August 2008
Series charting the history of the best of British comedy. A look at The Liver Birds, a groundbreaking sitcom centred around the lives of two young Liverpudlian women. Not only was it one of the earliest successful shows to be written by and starring women, it also survived the loss of two central characters and was so well loved in the 1970s that it returned for a controversial reunion in the 1990s.
4. Ripping Yarns
Friday 8th August 2008
The series charting the history of the best of British comedy investigates Michael Palin and Terry Jones's post-Python parody of pre-war Boys' Own adventure comics. The pair share bittersweet memories of their time making the programme - it was abandoned mid-way through its second series, due to spiralling costs, and it saw the end of their decade-long writing partnership.
With contributions from director Terry Hughes and actors David Leland, Judy Loe, Ken Colley and Charles McKeown.
5. Rab C Nesbitt
Friday 15th August 2008
Series charting the history of the best of British comedy. A look at Rab C Nesbitt, the sitcom about the life of a Glaswegian working-class philosopher, which ran for thirteen years and survived the death of a cast member to win an audience of five million people.
6. Sorry!
Friday 22nd August 2008
Series charting the history of the best of British comedy looks at Sorry!, the sitcom starring Ronnie Corbett as a middle-aged librarian who still lived at home with his domineering mother. Corbett's character, Timothy Lumsden, not only tickled the nation's funny bones but also apparently went on to influence a generation of younger comedians such as Frank Skinner and Harry Hill. Interviewees include Ronnie Corbett and writers Peter Vincent and Ian Davidson.
7. Dad's Army
Friday 29th August 2008
The series charting the history of the best of British comedy looks at Dad's Army, the gentle wartime sitcom that became one of the most popular and best-loved series of all time.
With contributions from writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft, plus actors Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender, Frank Williams, Bill Pertwee, Pamela Cundell and Wendy Richard.
8. Little Britain
Thursday 4th September 2008
The series charting the history of the best of British comedy looks at Little Britain. The bright and bizarre comedy sketch show burst out of radio and onto television screens in February 2003, making international stars of its writers and performers Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Includes contributions from Walliams, Lucas, Tom Baker, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, directors Steve Bendelack, Geoff Posner and producer Myfanwy Moore.
Special: Geoffrey Perkins
Saturday 8th November 2008
Friends and colleagues of the late comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins come together to reflect on his life and achievements.
Interviewees include Catherine Tate, Charlie Higson, Paul Whitehouse, Harry Enfield, John Lloyd, Jimmy Mulville, Angus Deayton, Sophie Clarke-Jervoise, Graham Linehan and Ben Elton.