Comedy Smörgåsbord - Disc 6

Comedy Smörgåsbord - Disc 6
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BBC's Comedy Playhouse was a showcase for pilot episodes and one-off's for about 13 years and 120 episodes (1961-1974). A number of legendary TV programs got their start on Comedy Playhouse including Steptoe And Son, Are You Being Served?, Last Of The Summer Wine, Till Death Us Do Part, The Liver Birds, All Gas And Gaiters, and Meet The Wife.
In 1993 ITV revived the concept with a program of 8 pilots, two of which (Brighton Belles and The 10%ers) were developed into TV shows.
Brighton Belles was the UK version of NBC's The Golden Girls and despite a great cast of Sheila Hancock, Wendy Craig, Jean Boht and Sheila Gish it was cancelled during it's 10 episode run.
I'm very happy to have the pilot as the other 10 episodes are among that group of 1990's for-some-reason-elusive programs.
The 10%ers was about a talent agency and lasted 14 more episodes. It also remains elusive.
Clive Francis (Piglet Files, May To December, Poldark, Yes Minister) led the cast.
Other programs feature well known actors such as James Nesbitt and Neil Morrissey.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0934711/episodes#season-1
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The Unforgettable: Joan Sims, a tribute to the great comic actor. She's probably best remember in the UK for her many appearances in the Carry On films and best known to Americans for her role as Madge Hardcastle on As Time Goes By.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801330/bio
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801330/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Sims
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Above Their Station is a recently aired (3 nights ago) pilot on BBC Three.
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That Was The Week That Was was an early 60's BBC satirical comedy program that in it's day was considered to be very cutting edge. It was hosted by David Frost and had a team of writers that reads like a Who's-Who of comedy. These two episodes were end of the year reviews.
If you're old enough to remember that period of time you might appreciate their relevance, if not then they will probably seem to be quite dated to you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Was_The_Week_That_Was
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Tiswas was a 1974 to 1982 wild and whacky Saturday morning live-in-the-studio children's show which today is probably best known as an early vehicle for cast member Lenny Henry.
It had weekly musical guests and many other well known adult guest stars.
This is a clip compilation from 1992.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiswas