"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 The 100 Greatest Kids TV Shows (2001) (TV)

Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door

I only caught the odd episode of this show on it's initial run (and I was a little disappointed by what I saw), but years later a friend showed me the episode, "Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door" featuring Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson as a couple of seedy alcoholic losers. About 8 years on from that first viewing I still rate it as one of the funniest things I've ever seen... TV show or movie. Although it's a fairly close comedic relative of this particular episode, I've never been a fan of Bottom. The characters are sleazy but too far removed from reality to be anything more than cartoonish, but in 'Mr. Jolly' their frightening alcohol consumption and heroically antisocial behaviour make for brilliant entertainment. Granted, they may not appeal to everyone. You could say it's a one-joke show but it works for me.

The story revolves around these two losers mistakenly accepting a job intended for the eponymous Jolly (Peter Cooke), a hit-man charged with 'taking out' Nicholas Parsons. Misunderstanding, they take Parsons (playing himself) out for the night. I don't want to bang on about it endlessly, I'm only writing this in the hope of bringing it to the attention of someone, hopefully spreading the word on it's originality and brilliance, even just a little!

Any fans of Rik Mayall, The Young Ones, Bottom etc. simply must track this priceless gem down (I eventually found an official VHS so it has been released at some point). Like I say I'm not even a particular fan of their previous work so anyone who is must go nuts for this.

Trust me, you have to love it!