From the Vault: Frank Thornton supplies the wine in ‘The Wild Affair’
Thornton had been acting in radio, stage, film and telly for about a decade by the time he took this minor role.
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Benny Hill’s The Strolling Ones – part of the British Invasion that never landed in the U.S.
In the overall British comedy landscape, The Benny Hill Show had more than its share of slapstick, mime and double entendre during its brilliant run from the mid-50s up until the British sketch comedy series was cancelled in the late 80s. A steady decline in ratings and what was, at the time, a very high production cost of approximately £450,000 […]
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First look at Dave Allen…at Large and at Peace
Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders star Aidan Gillen stars as comedian Dave Allen in BBC2’s upcoming biopic Dave Allen at Peace. The snappily-dressed Irish comic who died in 2005 was best-known for his 1970s comedy series, Dave Allen at Large, which featured a combination of sketches and Allen’s signature ‘solo joke telling while sitting on a stool with […]
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A Dame and a Sir unveil tribute to Sir John Gielgud
Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen have unveiled a blue plaque commemorating the London home of stage and screen star Sir John Gielgud. The English Heritage plaque at number 16 Cowley Street in Westminster marks the brown brick Georgian townhouse where Sir John lived for 31 years, from May 1945 to February 1976. Started in […]
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Desert Island Discs adds ‘Lord Grantham’ to the castaway list
Perhaps the coolest show on the planet is BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, which premiered on BBC radio in 1942. Created by Roy Plomley, the format is about as simple as you can get. A guest ‘castaway’ is invited by host Kirsty Young to choose the eight records they would take with them to […]
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Goodnight, Teddington: Iconic British comedy studio set for demolition
In the ‘let’s tear things down that have a history attached to it and build something that will make a lot more money’ era that we all seem to live in, it was bound to happen, unfortunately. Following on the heels of the recent closure of BBC Television Centre, Teddington Studios, the home for years to Thames Television and where much of the magic happened during Britain’s Golden Age that has been seen by generations of television viewers, is set for demolition in the not-too-distant future.
Read moreSnoop Dogg the new Benny Hill? Really?
I totally understand the concept that 50 is the new 30. But, Snoop Dogg the new Benny Hill? Afraid I don’t get that one. Several comments from the man, himself, during an interview recently with the Observer would lead you to believe he truly wants to give this a shot. Supposedly, he’s such a big fan […]
Read moreBritish comedy films that time, and Oscar, forgot
It may be Oscar time, but if you’re really interested in a few classic British comedy films, head over to the local video store (Premiere Video on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas immediately comes to mind as being the place to get these) and spend some quality screen time before Oscar Sunday. Bedazzled (1979) with Dudley […]
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British comedy duo's – have a favorite?
British comedy has seen a number of changes over the years. Whether it takes the form of stand-up, sketch or situation comedy, it’s all comedy that draws on the past and the roots of comedy in general. One can’t help but think of the comedy troupes like Monty Python, The Goodies and The Young Ones […]
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And you thought the UK wasn't funny
Next time you travel to the UK, take a break from the pubs and think about a comedy tour of England, which boasts not only numerous birthplaces of your favorite Britcom stars, but you can quickly check out places like Yorkshire, home to the longest-running sitcom on television, Last of the Summer Wine. You can […]
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