UK SITCOMS - DAD to DOCTOR TERRIBLE'S HOUSE OF HORRORS
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DAD
BBC1 / 12x30m-e 1x40m-e / 1997-99
Writer/Executive Producer: Andrew Marshall / Producer: Marcus Mortimer
Sitcom. Middle aged Alan Horrox copes with looking after his elderly father and his relationship with his son Vincent. Forty minute Christmas special appeared Dec 1999.
With:- KEVIN McNALLY as Alan Hook / GEORGE COLE as Brian Hook / TOBY ROSS-BRYANT as Vincent Hook / JULIA HILLS as Beryl Hook
DAD'S ARMY
BBC1 / 77x30m-e 1x35m-e 1x40m-e 1x60m-e / 1968-77 First Episode: 31 Jul 1968 Last Episode:13 Nov 1977 (Seasons one and two were made in black and white)
Writers: Jimmy Perry, David Croft / Theme Music sung by Bud Flanagan / Producer: David Croft
Period sitcom. Seemingly more popular than ever thanks to frequent re-runs Dad's Army is a period sitcom about the exploits of an ageing home guard platoon during the second world war. In the town of Walmington-On-Sea, a South Coast seaside town, bank manager Captain Mainwaring finds himself in charge of a less than able bunch. His second in command was the very upper class Sgt Wilson (Mainwaring's number 2 at the bank), Wilson was having some kind of affair with the mum of Private Frank Pike (decidedly innocent he called Wilson Uncle Arthur). Also in the platoon was gung-ho butcher Lance Corporal Jones, dour Scots undertaker Private Frazer, retired Godfrey who was always having trouble with his waterworks and black market spiv Private Walker. Other non-army regulars included air raid warden Hodges, the put upon Vicar and his jobsworth Verger (the Platoon used the Church Hall as its headquarters), Frank's Mum Mrs Pike and the amorous Mrs Fox (who later ended up marrying Jonesy). Often heard of but never seen (except once as a shapeless form in an air raid shelter bed) was Mainwaring's wife.
Boasting a fantastic original but period style theme tune sung by Bud Flanagan the show also had a number of catchphrases including "don't panic", "they don't like it up em" (both by Jones), "stupid boy Pike" by Mainwaring and "put that light out" by Hodges.
The cast made three appearance in character as part of Christmas Night With the Stars-1968, 1970 & 1972. There was a feature film version released in 1971. Also there was a radio sequel called It Sticks Out a Mile on Radio 2 in 1983, this followed Wilson, Pike and Hodges as they ran a pier. Probably British Televisions most loved sitcom. Two episodes from the second season that were missing believed lost were re-discovered (following the BBC’s Treasure Hunt appeal campaign for the return of missing archive material) and shown on BBC2 on 28/12/2001 for the first time in over 30 years as part of a Dad’s Army night. "Operation Kilt" and "The Battle For Godfrey’s Cottage". They had been in someone’s shed all this time after they were randomly rescued from a skip in the 1970s when the BBC was disposing of its "unwanted" material.
With:- ARTHUR LOWE as Capt George Mainwaring / JOHN LE MESURIER as Sgt Arthur Wilson / CLIVE DUNN as L/Cpl Jack Jones / JOHN LAURIE as Pte James Frazer / JAMES BECK as Pte Joe Walker / IAN LAVENDER as Pte Frank Pike / ARNOLD RIDLEY as Pte Charles Godfrey / BILL PERTWEE as Chief ARP Warden Hodges / FRANK WILLIAMS as The Vicar / JANET DAVIES as Mrs Mavis Pike / TALFRYN THOMAS as Mr Cheeseman / PAMELA CUNDELL as Mrs Mildred Pike / COLIN BEAN as Pte Sponge
DARK AGES
Granada / 5x30m-e / 1999 20 Dec - 27 Dec
Writer: Rob Grant / Music: Joby Talbot / Design: John Anderson / Titles: Glam Prod. / Costume: Caroline Pitcher / Executive Producer: Andy Harries / Producer: Justin Judd / Director: Steve Bendelack
Period sitcom. In the year 999 with the world on the cusp of a new Millennium, Britain is facing riots and invasion by the Vikings, but Gudrun of the village of Sludgebrook has more pressing things on his mind, such as where his next meal is coming from. The shows episodes were shown over the festive period in three blocks with 1& 2 and 4&5 being shown together, start time was usually around 10.00pm.
Gudrun................................................ PHILL JUPITUS
Redwald.............................................. ALISTAIR McGOWAN
Agnes................................................. PAULINE McLYNN
Baldsmith........................................... DAVE LAMB
Bigwart............................................... PAUL PUTNER
Byrnoth.............................................. MIKE HAYLEY
Matilda............................................... SHERIDAN SMITH
Cedric................................................ LAURENCE HOWARTH
Arland................................................ JASON BYRNE
Starbuck............................................ TONY GARDNER
THE DAVE SAINT SHOW
UK Play - Channel X / x30m-e / 2000
Writers: Alexander Kirk, Simon Messingham / Script Consultant: Stacy Herbert / Music: Steve Cripps, Dan Mendford / Costume: Pookie Russell / Producer: Jim Reid / Director: Mark Mylod
Comedy about a useless heavy metal DJ on a local radio station. As was usual with with shows on extra terrestrial channel UK Play music videos were interspersed throughout the show.
With:- JOHN THOMSON as Dave Saint / ALEXANDER KIRK as AK / KATE LOUSTOU as Jeneane
DAVE'S KINGDOM
ATV / 6x30m-e / 1964 21 October - 9 December Wednesdays 9.10pm
Producer: Francis Essex
Sitcom. Episodes (often fantasy based) in the life of Dave King, usually set in his apartment.
With:- DAVE KING as Dave / VICTOR MADDERN / PAT GOH / JACK DOUGLAS / BILLY CORNELIUS
ITV/Casey-Werner / 10x30m-e / 1999
Creators: Bonny & Terry Turner / Music: Graham Jarvis / Costume: Jacqueline Parry / Producer: John Bartlett
Sitcom. An adaption of the US's That Seventies Show. The exploits of a group of teenagers and their parents in mid-1970's Luton. This troubled show began in a prime time slot at 8.30pm on 12 Jan and was hyped by ITV as being the great new sitcom but after a critical mauling at the hands of the popular press Days Like These was taken off mid way through it's run. Several months later it returned in a late night slot to limp to a close (but with three episodes still unshown.) The full series was repeated in late 2001 (in some ITV regions) very late at night (e.g. 2:30am) including the previously unshown episodes.
With:- ANN BRYSON as Kitty Forman / TREVOR COOPER as Ron Forman / MAX WROTTTESLEY as Eric Forman / ROSIE MARCEL as Donna Palmer / STEVE STEEN as Bob Palmer / SARA STOCKBRIDGE as Midge Palmer / JAMIE BECK as Torbjorn Rasmussen / JAMES CARLTON as Michael McGuire / HARRY PEACOCK as Dylan Jones / EMMA PIERSON as Jackie Burget
DEAD ERNEST
Central/Witzend / 6x30m-e / 1982 15 Feb - 29 Mar Mon 8.00pm
Writers: Julian Roach, John Stevenson / Executive Producer: Allan McKeown / Producers: Alan Wallis, Tony Charles / Director: Alan Wallis
Sitcom. After he dies Ernest Springer finds himself in Heaven.
Ernest Springer............................... ANDREW SACHS
Archangel Derek............................. KEN JONES
Cherub Fred................................... HARRY FOWLER
Archangel Doreen........................... JANET RAWSON
Edna Springer................................ ZENA WALKER
Arthur ........................................... BILL WADDINGTON
Alice ............................................ GRETCHEN FRANKLIN
DEAR DOTTY
BBC / 6x30m-e / 1954 13 Jul - 6 Oct / Fortnightly
Writers: Sid Colin, Talbot Rothwell / Producer: Bill Ward
Sitcom. Dotty Binns, a dogsbody at a woman's magazine would love to become a proper journalist.
Dotty Binns....................................... AVRIL ANGERS
Mr Tibbett......................................... JACK MELFORD
Margo Fairfax.................................... NAOMI CHANCE
Ian Prendergast(1)............................. CECIL BROCK
Ian Prendergast(2)............................. STEPHEN HANCOCK
BBC1 / 13x30m-e 1x45m-e / 1986-87 Season 1:17 Feb - 31 Mar 86 Season 2: 7 Sep - 12 Oct 87 Special: 21 Dec 1987
Writer: John Sullivan / Producer: Ray Butt / Theme sung by Paul Nicholas
Sitcom. A divorced schoolteacher joins the 1-2-1 encounter group where he meets a motley collection of characters.
John Lacey........................................ RALPH BATES
Kate.................................................. BELINDA LANG
Kirk St Moritz..................................... PETER BLAKE
Ralph Dring........................................ PETER DENYER
Louise Williams.................................. RACHEL BELL
Mrs Arnott......................................... JEAN CHALLIS
Mrs Lemenski.................................... IRENE PRADOR
Sylvia Watkins................................... LUCINDA CURTIS
Ricky Fortune(1987)........................... KEVIN LLOYD
Wendy.............................................. WENDY ALLNUT
BBC2 / 20x30m-e 1x40m-e / 1983-84 3 Seasons + 1 Special
Writers: George Logan, Patrick Fyffe, Gyles Brandreth / Director: Mike Stephens
Sitcom. Life for Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda in the village of Stackton Tressel. Hinge and Bracket were in fact played by a pair of cross dressing men.
Dr Evadne Hinge............................ GEORGE LOGAN
Dame Hilda Bracket....................... PATRICK FYFFE
DEAR MOTHER - LOVE ALBERT
Thames/Yorkshire / 26x30m-e / 1969-72
Writer/Producer: Rodney Bewes, Derrick Goodwin / Theme sung by Rodney Bewes / Executive Producer: John Duncan
Sitcom. Naive northern lad Albert Courtnay moves to London but sends regular letters home to his mother. Season one made by Thames rest Yorkshire. Season four called simply Albert.
Albert Courtnay................................... RODNEY BEWES
Mr A.C. Strain.................................... GARFIELD MORGAN
Vivien McKewan................................. SHEILA WHITE
Leslie Willis....................................... LUAN PETERS
Doreen Bissel.................................... LIZ GEBHARDT
Doreen(Albert)................................... CHERYL HALL
THE DENNY WILLIS SHOW
ATV / 2x30m-e / 1962 16 - 23 June / Saturday 10.20pm
Writers: Jeremy Lloyd, Stan Mars / Producer: Colin Clews
Sitcom. Misadventures of the stage manager of the Sedgewick Empire.
With:- DENNY WILLIS / JOHNNIE MACK / JANIE MARDEN / BILLY McCOMB
C4/HBP / 70x30m-e 1x60m-e / 1989-94
Creator: Trix Worrell / Music: John Collins Lyrics by Trix Worrell and theme sung by Norman Beaton / Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Sitcom. Exploits of Desmond Ambrose the West Indian proprietor of a barber shop in the heart of Peckham. See also Porkpie.
With:- NORMAN BEATON as Desmond Ambrose / CARMEN MUNROE as Shirley Ambrose / RAM JOHN HOLDER as Pork Pie / ROBBIE GEE as Lee / GYEARBOUR ASANTE as Matthew / KIM WALKER as Gloria Ambrose
THE DETECTIVES
BBC1/Celador / 29x30m-e 1x50m-e / 1993-97
Writers: Steve Knight, Mike Whitehill / Producers: Ed Bye, Nic Phillips
Sitcom. Cases of two inept detectives. This show was originally a five minute segment in the Jasper Carrott Sketch show.
Bob Louis.......................................... JASPER CARROTT
Dave Briggs....................................... ROBERT POWELL
Supt Frank Cottam............................ GEORGE SEWELL
DEVENISH
Granada / 13x30m-e / 1977-78 2 Seasons
Writer: Anthony Couch / Producer: John G. Temple / Director: Brian Mills
Sitcom. The exploits of Arthur Prufrock Devenish who cannot resist interfering in the running of the toy factory where he works.
Arthur Prufrock Devenish..................... DINSDALE LANDEN
Hugh Fitzjoy...................................... TERENCE ALEXANDER
Neville Liversedge.............................. GEOFFREY BAYLDON
Admiral Wallow................................. GEOFFREY CHATER
Angela Nuttall................................... VERONICA ROBERTS
George Craddock.............................. MICHAEL ROBBINS
Prudence Devenish........................... POLLY ADAMS
DICK AND THE DUCHESS
Associated-Rediffusion / x30m-e / 1958-59 black and white
Writer: Harry Kurnitz / Producer/Director: Sheldon Reynolds
Sitcom. An American insurance agent is transferred to London where he falls in love and marries the titled Jane.
With:- PATRICK O'NEAL as Dick Starrett / HAZEL COURT as Jane / RICHARD WATTIS
THE DICKIE HENDERSON SHOW
Associated-Rediffusion / 115x30m-e 1x60m-e / 1960-65/68 9 seasons
Writer:(mostly) Jimmy Grafton / Executive Producer: Ben Lyon / Director: Bill Hitchcock
Sitcom. Episodes in the domestic life of comedian Dickie Henderson. Clearly based on the American model of sitcom popular at the time.
Dickie................................................. DICKIE HENDERSON
June................................................... JUNE LAVERICK
Jack................................................... LIONEL MERTON
Richard Sr.......................................... DANNY GROVER
John.................................................. JOHN PARSONS
Jane(season 9)................................... ISLA BLAIR
BBC1 / 16x30m-e / 1998-99
Writer: Victoria Wood / Producers: Geoff Posner, Victoria Wood
Sitcom. The exploits of a group of dinner ladies working in a factory canteen. With most of the time just the one canteen set, the show is more a procession of one liners than a sitcom.
Bren..................................................... VICTORIA WOOD
Dolly.................................................... THELMA BARLOW
Tony.................................................... ANDREW BROWN
Anita................................................... SHOBNA GULATI
Phillippa.............................................. CELIA IMRIE
Twinkle............................................... MAXINE PEAKE
Stan................................................... DUNCAN PRESTON
Jean................................................... ANNE REID
Petula................................................. JULIE WALTERS
Mr Michael......................................... CHRISTOPHER GEET
Lisa................................................... JANE HAZLEGROVE
DIVIDED WE STAND
BBC1 / 6x30m-e / 1987-88 10 Nov 87 - 5 Jan 88 / Tuesdays 7.00pm
Writer: Myra Taylor / Directors: Sue Bysh, Harold Snoad
Sitcom. A husband and wife separate but neither is prepared to leave their house - so they split it down the middle.
Maisie................................................ ANNA KEAVENEY
Bert................................................... SHAUN CURRY
Rita................................................... MAGGIE McCARTHY
Jack.................................................. PETER CHILDS
Edna ................................................ VIVIENNE MARTIN
Susan............................................... MICHELLE HOLMES
DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE
London Weekend Television / 26x30m-e / 1969-70
Creator: Frank Muir / Book: Richard Gordon / Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Sitcom. Exploits of a group of medical students at St Swithins teaching hospital. The other doctor series are :-1.Doctor At Large, 2.Doctor In Charge 3. Doctor at Sea, 4. Doctor on the Go, 5.Doctor At the Top. See below for details of each.
Michael Upton................................... BARRY EVANS
Dick Stuart Clark............................... GEOFFREY DAVIES
Paul Collier....................................... GEORGE LAYTON
Huw Evans........................................ MARTIN SHAW
Prof Geoffrey Loftus........................... ERNEST CLARK
Danny Hooley.................................. JONATHAN LYNN
DOCTOR AT LARGE
London Weekend Television / 29x30m-e / 1971 28 February - 12 September Sundays 7.25pm
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Sitcom. The doctors are now qualified and working at St Swithins.
Michael Upton.................................... BARRY EVANS
Paul Collier........................................ GEORGE LAYTON
Dick Stuart-Collier.............................. GEOFFREY DAVIES
Laurence Bingham............................. RICHARD O'SULLIVAN
Prof Loftus......................................... ERNEST CLARK
The Dean.......................................... RALPH MICHAEL
DOCTOR IN CHARGE
LWT / 43x30m-e / 1972-73 Season One: 9 Apr - 8 Oct 72(27 eps) / Season Two:15 Sep - 29 Dec 73(16 eps)
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Sitcom. Further exploits, again at St Swithins.
Duncan Waring................................ ROBIN NEDWELL
Paul Collier..................................... GEORGE LAYTON
Dick Stuart-Collier........................... GEOFFREY DAVIES
Laurence Bingham........................... RICHARD O'SULLIVAN
Loftus............................................. ERNEST CLARK
DOCTOR AT SEA
LWT / 13x30m-e / 1974 21 April - 14 July
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Sitcom. After getting the sack from St Swithins Dick Stuart-Clark gets a job aboard the HMS Begonia. Duncan Waring walks out in support and joins Dick aboard the ship.
Duncan Waring................................... ROBIN NEDWELL
Dick Stuart-Clark................................ GEOFFREY DAVIES
Capt Loftus........................................ ERNEST CLARK
The Pursur........................................ JOHN GRIEVE
Nurse Wynton................................... ELIZABETH COUNSELL
Entertainments Officer....................... BOB TODD
DOCTOR ON THE GO
LWT / 26x30m-e / 1975/77 Season One: 27 Apr - 20 Jul 75 / Season Two: 16 Jan - 10 Apr 77
Producer: Humphrey Barclay
Sitcom. Further exploits with Stuart-Clark and Waring back at St Swithins. The final LWT series see also brief 1991 BBC revival Doctor at the Top.
Duncan Waring.................................. ROBIN NEDWELL
Paul Collier....................................... GEORGE LAYTON
Dick Stuart-Clark............................... GEOFFREY DAVIES
Loftus............................................... ERNEST CLARK
DOCTOR AT THE TOP
BBC1 / 6x30m-e / 1991 21 February - 4 April Thursdays 8.30pm
Writer: George Layton / Producer/Director: Susan Belbin
Sitcom. The doctors of St Swithins return as older family men.
Duncan Waring................................. ROBIN NEDWELL
Paul Collier...................................... GEORGE LAYTON
Prof Stuart Clark............................... GEOFFREY DAVIES
Sir Geoffrey Loftus............................ ERNEST CLARK
Dr Lionel Snell.................................. ROGER SLOMAN
Emma Stuart-Clark........................... JILL BENEDICT
Rebecca Stuart-Clark....................... CHLOE ANNETT
Robin Nedwell and Geoffrey Davies appeared as Waring and Stuart-Clark in an Australian version called Doctor Down Under for 13 episodes made in 1979 and 1980. ITV broadcast 12 of these in 1981.
DOCTORS AND NURSES
BBC1 / 6x30m / started 13 January 2004 / 10:35pm
Sitcom set in an NHS hospital on the Isle of Wight.
With:- ADRIAN EDMONSON as Roy Glover / MADHAV SHARMA as George Banatwala / MINA ANWAR as Zita Khan / DAVID MITCHELL as Toby Stephens / ABIGAIL CRUTTENDEN as Lucy Potter / STEVEN ALVEY as Flapper / SUSAN EARL as Tara Cummings
DOCTOR'S DAUGHTERS
ATV / 6x30m-e / 1980 22 February - 29 March Sunday 7.15pm
Writers: Richard Gordon, Ralph Thomas / Producer: Stuart Allen
Sitcom. A trio of elderly doctors allow their daughters to take over their practice.
Dr Lucy Drake.................................. LESLEY DUFF
Dr Fay Liston................................... VICTORIA BURGOYNE
Dr 'Biggin' Hill................................... RICHARD MURDOCH
Dr Freddie Fellows-Smith.................. BILL FRASER
Archdeacon Bellweather.................... PATRICK NEWELL
Dr Roland Carmichael....................... JACK WATLING
Mr Mindows..................................... NORMAN CHAPPELL
Liz Arkdale...................................... BRIDGET ARMSTRONG
DOCTOR TERRIBLE’S HOUSE OF HORRIBLE
BBC2 / x30m (possibly 6eps) / Started 12 November 2001
Writers: Graham Duff, Henry Normal, Steve Coogan; Producer: Alison MacPhail
An
anthology series of horror film spoofs in which Steve Coogan played
a different character each week with a different supporting cast.
Coogan also played Dr Terrible who opened and closed each
show with a short piece to camera.
With:- STEVE COOGAN as Dr Terrible/Various Characters
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