"The Comic Strip Presents..." (1982) TV series 1982-????

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

2 November 1982 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A series of self contained TV films starring performers from London's "Comic Strip" comedy club and their friends. Noted for a high sense of parody of previous films, literature, and generally everyone in sight.

Plot Keywords:

Parody | Actor Playing Multiple Roles | Satire

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Peter Richardson	...	Foyle / ... (38 episodes, 1982-2000)
Adrian Edmondson	...	Billy / ... (29 episodes, 1982-2000)
Jennifer Saunders	...	Anne / ... (28 episodes, 1982-1998)
Dawn French	...	Frances / ... (25 episodes, 1982-1998)
Nigel Planer	...	Den Dennis / ... (25 episodes, 1983-2005)
Robbie Coltrane	...	Max / ... (17 episodes, 1982-1993)
Rik Mayall	...	Colin Grigson / ... (17 episodes, 1983-2005)
Keith Allen	...	Bonehead / ... (17 episodes, 1983-1993)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (episode "Beat Generation, The") | Black and White (episode "Spaghetti Hoops") | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

ABC Cinema, Ewell, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Channel 4 Television Corporation

Trivia:

Only five of the planned six shows from the first series were produced when Channel 4 decided that "Back to Normal With Eddie Monsoon" (also referred to as "An evening With Eddie Monsoon" by some sources) was unsuitable for broadcast. The character was revived in the second series episode "Eddie Monsoon: A Life" and features Adrian Edmondson in the title role as the washed-up South African TV host. The name Eddie Monsoon is, of course, a pun on the name Edmondson. Many years later, Edmondson's real-life wife Jennifer Saunders resurrected the name Eddie (short for Edina) Monsoon for her character in the sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous" (1992).

Quotes:

Helen: [voice over] Now all that Spider needs to do is convince his wife to let him join the group again.
Spider Web: Darling, would it be all right if I got back together with the band?
Spider's wife: Hmmm.
[pause]
Spider's wife: All right
Vim Fuego: [surprised] That went rather well.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 50 Most Shocking Comedy Moments (2006) (TV)

Whis is this not on DVD?

I remember catching The Comic Strip back when it was first aired stateside. I waited with anticipation every week to see what the next show would conjure up. My favorite of the series was definitely "Bad News Tour", "More Bad News", and "The Supregrass" flick. These scamps were also responsible for aiding with the development of the phenomenal "Eat The Rich" film. Ade Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan and Rik Mayall would go on to fame as "The Young Ones." Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French would go on to "French and Saunders" and eventually part ways for "Absolutely Fabulous" and "The Vicar of Dibley." Basic comparison as far as career launching would be comparative of "SCTV" or the original "Saturday Night Live" TV series here in the states. The shows and skits were very well written. Ade Edmondson and Rik Mayall would go on to do "The Dangerous Brothers," "Filthy, Madcap and Laughing" and "Bottom." Excellent stuff that is all well overdue for a region DVD reissue.