Connect with us

Features

Classic TV revisited: The Benny Hill Show

Published

on


ITV | 1969-1989

Starring Benny Hill, Louise English, Henry McGee and Bob Todd.

Benny Hill: saucy British comic who took America by storm with smutty routines which usually involved bumbling Benny lusting after scantily clad young women.

Age?
Benny made 58 shows for Thames TV between 1969 and 1989. He also made shows in the US.

Advertisement

Appearance?
Nicknamed King Leer, Benny was the son of a surgical appliance fitter. Lustful and bumbling are ideal descriptions of the japester.

Weren’t his shows corny old nonsense?
That’s a bit harsh. He was immensely popular. But yes, they were cancelled in the late ’80s. The PC tide turned against seaside postcard-style gags.

How did he get started?
Unlike comics such as Bob Monkhouse and Arthur Askey, he didn’t come from radio. Benny was a product of TV’s need for new talent in the mid-’50s.

Didn’t he buy loads of wigs?
Yes he bought up to 60 a year to impersonate contemporary stars such as Diana Dors and Isobel Barnett (What’s My Line)… and he had a fantastic memory for gags. Critics might say he succeeded by recycling old Chaplin material.

Advertisement

What was a typical show like?
They were unique. He only made three or so a year. His stock characters were Fred Scuttle, Prof Marvel and the Firemen’s Choir. whose catchphrase was “evein’ viewers”.

Who wrote the material?
Benny wrote most, using notes he took when travelling the world, and about his former life in Southampton.

Who else starred?
Hill’s Angels – foxy girls who chased Benny. Louise English, Henry McGee and Bob Todd became stars.

Didn’t Benny have a funny way of sending scripts to producers?
Yes. He never worked at the Thames offices, and instead would send in ideas written on the corners of newspapers, or on the cardboard found under the collar of laundered shirts.

Advertisement

Didn’t Benny make records, too?
Yes, Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In the West), Gather In The Mushrooms and Harvest Of Love.

His shows always seemed to end with him chasing a lot of girls in bikinis.
A myth, I’m afraid. The girls always chased him.

But he looked like a flasher?
Maybe, but he never overexposed himself on TV.

You’ve made Benny sound a bit of a joke.
He was certainly an unusual character. But few people could deny his power to amuse children and adults alike. He had universal appeal.

Advertisement

But…
In 1979, at the age of 54, he conquered the US. A riot broke out in a California jail when inmates were prevented from seeing his show.

Blimey!
And a Mafia boss would only give a TV interview to Thames if Benny did a stint at his Las Vegas casino.

Benny must have been a rich man, given his huge popularity?
He was, and money is still generated for Pearson TV, which owns Thames, from his repeats, songs and videos sold across the world.

Did he flaunt his wealth?
He lived in a small rented flat in London and carried his work around in carrier bags.

Advertisement

Did his death signal the end of an era?
Yes. He died on the eve of a comeback show in 1992, the same night that comedian Frankie Howerd passed away.


Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News1 hour ago

General Hospital, March 19, 2024, ABC,

In the brand new episode of General Hospital, airing on Tuesday March 19, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, viewers will...

The Bold and the Beautiful The Bold and the Beautiful
News1 hour ago

The Bold and the Beautiful, March 19, 2024, CBS

On the upcoming episode of the long-running soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful,” airing on March 19, 2024 at...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News1 hour ago

Days of Our Lives, March 19, 2024, Peacock

In the latest episode of the long-running soap opera, Days of Our Lives, airing on March 19, 2024 at 6.00am...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News2 hours ago

Lil Jon, Melissa Dilkes Pateras, CBS Mornings, March 20, 2024

Wednesday’s episode of CBS Mornings on March 20th promises an eclectic mix of guests. First up is Lil Jon, the...

Jimmy Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel Live
News2 hours ago

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Jimmy Kimmel Live!, March 19, 2024, ABC

Get ready for another entertaining episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” airing on ABC at 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19,...

Karamo Karamo
News2 hours ago

Sharif & Brittany, James & Jason, Karamo, March 19, 2024

Don’t miss the latest episode of “Karamo” airing on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. In this episode, the show delves into...

The Today Show The Today Show
News2 hours ago

José Andrés, Courtney Mason, The Today Show, March 19, 2024, NBC

On Tuesday, March 19th starting at 7:00 AM., NBC brings you another edition of “The Today Show” filled with informative...

The View: The View:
News2 hours ago

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, The View, March 19, 2024, ABC

In Tuesday’s episode of “The View,” airing on ABC at 11:00 AM on Tuesday March 19th, viewers are in for...

Great British Menu Great British Menu
News9 hours ago

The Finals: Starters, Great British Menu, 18 March 2024, BBC Two

Get ready for the brand new episode of Great British Menu, as national finals week kicks off with the starters...

Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain
News9 hours ago

Series Premiere, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the premiere episode of the brand new series “Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain,” Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton...

Panorama Panorama
News10 hours ago

Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis, Panorama, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the latest episode of Panorama, titled “Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis,” viewers will be taken behind the...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News10 hours ago

Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In a thought-provoking and enlightening new documentary titled “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure,” airing on Channel 4 on Monday 18...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News10 hours ago

24 Hours in A&E, 18 March 2024, Channel 4, “Season 32 Episode 3”

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “24 HOURS IN A&E,” viewers are taken inside Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham,...

George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations
News10 hours ago

Chiltern Hills Barber Shop, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations,” architect George Clarke continues to showcase the inspiring stories of...

Traffic Cops Traffic Cops
News10 hours ago

Traffic Cops, 18 March 2024, Channel 5, “Season 13, Episode 14”

In the latest episode of Channel 5’s “Traffic Cops,” viewers will once again be taken on a gripping journey alongside...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News10 hours ago

Coma Series Premiere, 18 March 2024, Channel 5

In the series premiere of the four part Channel 5 drama “Coma,” viewers are introduced to Simon, a devoted family...

Popular