In honor of Great English Entertainment

[Robert]

I remember Bob Monkhouse telling the story of how Max Miller saw his act when he was first making his way as a performer, and gave him a very useful master class in standup comedy. One of Miller's observations was that Monkhouse's saucy material, or his delivery of it, was "too knowing" for such a young man - which was a very shrewd observation.

[martin wilson]

I think that's right,there was maybe a sense about him of a complete pro moving through the gears, other comedians had more of the harmless idiot about them, and you felt comfortable in their company because of their essentially benign worldview.
I used to like Les Dawson on Blankety Blank 'Let's take a look at the prizes we got from the fire and salvage'.
You have to see a comedian live though I think, to appreciate how good they are.
All the best.

[Magpie]

The last couple of days I've been watching episodes of "Q.I." and although I've heard of it before, I had no idea it was so funny. This morning there was a bit that made me laugh so hard I got a wicked muscle cramp right under my breastbone, and even though I was in agony, I still couldn't stop laughing.

The Americans could never create something like this, more's the pity.

[martin wilson]

Q.I is brilliant, Alan Davies on Mr Benz going around issuing the first driving licences cracked me up.
Have I Got News For You is probably the show that has made me laugh the most over the years, Would I Lie To You has its moments,but I'm not keen on 8 out of 10 Cats, I dont get Keith Lemon either.
The Americans have The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy and American Dad,which I got into when my daughter watched them, Family Guy can be very offensive sometimes though.
All the best.

[Magpie]

The Americans have The Big Bang Theory, Family Guy and American Dad,which I got into when my daughter watched them, Family Guy can be very offensive sometimes though.
All the best.

I was just introduced to BBT about a month ago and have powered through all 5 seasons in time to be caught up for the new season. Brilliant show, but generally still a sitcom. Q.I. is funny, educational and controversial in a way that just couldn't last on US networks. HBO or Showtime might be able to pull it off though...

[martin wilson]

I agree with Charlie Brooker when he was talking about American tv.
He was talking about some ludicrous thing that got made, but as he pointed out it did get made.
Generally British tv is getting better,still too many cooking,house renovation and panel shows and Big Brother refuses to die, but at least we seem to be over the worst when it comes to shows where the British public have a go at something and then get told they are rubbish at it by moral vaccums.
All the best.

[Cogidubnus]

I'm sorry, but as a veteran of the 60's/70's/80s I think British TV is in a parlous state...I'm not contending everything from that era was great viewing...clearly it wasn't...but the great sitcoms that started/thrived there are no more...the comedic innovations allowed time there to develop are no more...to be frank, with a few honourable exceptions, we live in a land of repeats and cheap quiz/renovation/auction/talent shows...

Shows like QI and HIGNFY stand out as inspiring exceptions in a mass of dross, but to be honest, I hardly bother any more...

All the best

Dave

[Robert]

I gave up on TV years before I had a computer. But especially since I got a computer, my attitude is, who needs TV when you have a computer?

[Rubyretro]

I gave up on TV years before I had a computer. But especially since I got a computer, my attitude is, who needs TV when you have a computer?

Well the fact is there are only so many hours in the day. If you want 'a life', then you can't do chat forums AND tV

[Phil H]

Perhaps someone should start a new thread on the current state of British TV, as the topic is some distance from the nostalgic intent of this thread.

However, I'd say this.

Surely, there has been a change in viewing habits with the multiplication of TV channels, satellite TV etc. The days when the nation had little choice but to watch collectively Eric & Ernie etc have gone. There is also much more choice.

Whatever your taste in humour there is likely to be some programme for you - satire to alternative, sit com to stand-up. Equally, you can watch classic shows like "Only Fools and Horses" or "Porridge" as re-runs or on dvd. As with fashion, we are not now all forced into flares (as was the case in the 70s) but can each go our own way.

And all old TV was not good - Terry and June (much though I like Terry Scott and June Whitfield as performers) was pretty awful and ran too long. That's just one example.

Several things have changed too. Performers of the older generation came up through music hall/variety etc and got their apprenticeship that way. Modern stand-ups come via a different route and, IMHO, are not always as polished or as wide in their appeal as their predecessors. Many are, again IMHO, niche performers - alienating some by bad language, their style or their material.

Times change and maybe we should examine today in the light of all the choices available and the differing clientele. The past was, in many ways, another country.

Phil H

[Phil H]

I'm posting this separately, because i want to get back to the nostalgia vibe of this thread.

Do others remember the adventure series, many by ITC (I think) from the 50s.

It started with Richard Greene in "Robin Hood", and was followed by shows like "William Tell" (Conrad Philips); "The Buccaneers" (Robert Shaw); "Sir Lancelot" (William Russell - one of Dr Who's first companions) and others.

I loved them as a kid and still admire how they told a complete story in half an hour using young but talented British character actors such as Leo McKern, Paul Eddington and others who would go on to glittering careers in TV and film.

In the Robin Hood series, Alan Wheatley gave us what is, for my money, the best Sheriff of Nottingham EVER!!

These programmes were a huge part of my childhood, inspiring my lifelong love of history and also of subjects like king Arthur, pirates etc etc.

I loved 'em!!

Phil H

[martin wilson]

My childhood memories are of Gerry Anderson, Joe 90,Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet.
And Dr Who (John Pertwee) and my behind the sofa monsters were the cybermen, I still dont like the look of 'em.
And American shows,The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,and Batman of course, which is being shown on one of the freeview channels, I watched a couple but from an adult perspective it's a completely different show, almost a comedy, but as a child to me it was deadly serious!
All the best.

[Cogidubnus]

It started with Richard Greene in "Robin Hood", and was followed by shows like "William Tell" (Conrad Philips); "The Buccaneers" (Robert Shaw); "Sir Lancelot" (William Russell - one of Dr Who's first companions) and others.

I loved them as a kid and still admire how they told a complete story in half an hour using young but talented British character actors such as Leo McKern, Paul Eddington and others who would go on to glittering careers in TV and film.

In the Robin Hood series, Alan Wheatley gave us what is, for my money, the best Sheriff of Nottingham EVER!!

You are of course quite right Phil...despite missing out Ivanhoe!

All the best

Dave

[Phil H]

...despite missing out Ivanhoe!

How could I have done so!!

Roger Moore was my hero for a while. he seemed so golden and knightly in his fancy armour.

Interesting that his squire, Gurth, was played by Robert Brown, later "M" to Moore's Bond after Bernard Lee passed on.

I think Ivanhoe may not have been an ITC series (though I may be wrong on that one). Certainly it has never been released as a dvd set as have the others.

Other series of the same type, included "Sir Francis Drake", with Terence Morgan as Drake, and Jean Kent (a star in her own right) as Queen Elizabeth. There was also a "Scarlet Pimpernel with Marius Goring as Sir Percy, which I loved. Alexander Gauge, Friar Tuck in Robin Hood, played the Prince Regent.

[Robert]

There was also one about Richard the Lionheart. I think the theme song, sung by Americans, contained the line "in those days of yore" which still tickles me.