The Benny Hill Show (1969–1989)

A skit based show with Benny Hill, often containing smutty humour.

Stars:

Benny Hill, Henry McGee, Jackie Wright

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Benny Hill	...	Himself - Host (59 episodes, 1969-1989)
Henry McGee	...	Himself (46 episodes, 1969-1989)
Jackie Wright	...	Himself (44 episodes, 1969-1985)
Bob Todd	...	Himself (42 episodes, 1970-1989)
The Ladybirds	...	Vocal Backing (42 episodes, 1969-1989)
Sue Upton	...	Various Roles (26 episodes, 1977-1989)

Storyline

A sketch-comedy series in which Hill would often play multiple characters and satirize popular British and American performers and stars. Common themes in the show were the husband-beating wife, buxom women, and silent, high-speed chase scenes between Hill and the other characters.

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Plot Keywords:

british | sketch comedy | absurd humor | slapstick | joke | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Benny Hill

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 51 min (58 episodes) 35 min (dubbed version) (edited) (dubbed)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (1970-1971) (3 episodes) Color (1969-1970 and 1971-1989)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In late 1970, ITV's colour technicians went on strike, causing all ITV shows made during this period (including this one) to be videotaped in black-and-white. The strike wasn't resolved until spring of 1971, causing three episodes to be made in this fashion. These episodes have not been shown in England since the 1970s and have never been shown in America. They have resurfaced in Australian syndication, however.

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Quotes

[Andree Melly talks to Mervyn Cruddy at the N.F.T]
Andree Melly: I think for me, the most memorable moment in films was when you played the doctor to that sick family.
Mervyn Cruddy: "Inherit the Wind." Yes, I remember.
Andree Melly: Opposite Margaret Lockwood's nurse . . .
Mervyn Cruddy: That's right. Yes, I know what you're going to say, the scene in the operating theatre.
Andree Melly: That's the scene. You kissed her when she least expected it.
Mervyn Cruddy: I beg your pardon?
Andree Melly: You kissed her when she least expected it.
Mervyn Cruddy: Oh, I thought you said 'where'.

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Connections

Spoofed in My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: A Bird in the Hoof (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Yakety Sax"
Written by Boots Randolph and James Rich
(closing theme)

User Reviews

This was one GREAT TV show and Benny Hill was a genius

Benny Hill was an amazing man. He could write some of the greatest comedy in the history of the English language. His work included wit, satire, low brow, and any other kind of humor that comes to mind. I remember watching this show on American TV in NJ, and it was a HUGE hit. I recall that a local Philadelphia station put this show on opposite the 11:00 pm local news, and for a few years it was the highest rated show in its time slot. Amazing. Along with Benny I'd like to point out the great work of Jackie Wright and Henry McGee. My grandfather had been briefly stationed in England during WW II, and he had seen Jackie Wright perform in London. He said that Jackie was the funniest man he had ever seen on a stage. My grandfather loved the episode when Jackie went on a cheap (and dangerous) vacation. Benny generally used Jackie in many ways, but usually as a PROP! Benny would smack Jackie's bald head over and over again. Henry McGee, on the other hand, was a brilliant straight man to Benny's funny side, and McGee excelled whenever he would interview Benny as "Fred Scuttle." This was brilliant humor and Benny deserves to be ranked with Chaplin, Keaton, Bob Hope, and Woody Allen as the 20th century's greatest funny men.