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

Seasons:

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

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 | Alternative Comedy | Comedy Team | Satire | Actor Playing Multiple Roles

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Peter Richardson	...	Foyle / ... (40 episodes, 1982-2011)
Adrian Edmondson	...	Billy / ... (29 episodes, 1982-2000)
Jennifer Saunders	...	Anne / ... (29 episodes, 1982-2011)
Nigel Planer	...	Den Dennis / ... (26 episodes, 1983-2011)
Dawn French	...	Frances / ... (25 episodes, 1982-1998)
Robbie Coltrane	...	Max / ... (18 episodes, 1982-2011)
Rik Mayall	...	Colin Grigson / ... (18 episodes, 1983-2011)

Series Directed by
Peter Richardson		(17 episodes, 1988-2005)
Bob Spiers		(8 episodes, 1982-1988)
Sandy Johnson		(5 episodes, 1983-1984)
Stephen Frears		(3 episodes, 1984-1988)
Keith Allen		(3 episodes, 1992-1993)
Adrian Edmondson		(2 episodes, 1986-1988)

Series Writing credits
Peter Richardson		(26 episodes, 1982-2011)
Pete Richens		(23 episodes, 1982-2011)
Adrian Edmondson		(6 episodes, 1983-1988)
Keith Allen		(4 episodes, 1984-1993)
Rik Mayall		(3 episodes, 1984-1988)
Dawn French		(2 episodes, 1983-1986)
Jennifer Saunders		(2 episodes, 1984-1986)

Series Produced by
Michael White	....	executive producer / producer: Comic Strip (36 episodes, 1982-1993)
Peter Richardson	....	producer: Comic Strip / executive producer / ... (21 episodes, 1982-1993)
Lolli Kimpton	....	producer (15 episodes, 1990-1993)
Sarah Radclyffe	....	producer (7 episodes, 1983-1984)
Elaine Taylor	....	producer / associate producer (5 episodes, 1984-1988)
Simon Wright	....	producer / producer: Comic Strip (4 episodes, 1988)
Andrew St. John	....	producer (3 episodes, 1983)
Ben Swaffer	....	producer (3 episodes, 1998-2005)
Michael Hall	....	producer (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Victoria Poushkine-Relf	....	producer (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Chris Brown	....	producer (2 episodes, 1988)
Mandy Ruben	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1988)
Charles Brand	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Nick Smith	....	executive producer: Great Western Features / producer (2 episodes, 2005-2011)

Series Original Music by
Simon Brint		(16 episodes, 1983-2000)
Vic Martin		(3 episodes, 1992-1993)
Peter Richardson		(3 episodes, 1992-1993)
Rod Melvin		(2 episodes, 1983-2005)
Bud Beadle		(2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Rowland Rivron		(2 episodes, 1988)
Jeff Beck		(2 episodes, 1990)
Tony Hymas		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Cinematography by
John Metcalfe		(14 episodes, 1983-1993)
Oliver Stapleton		(6 episodes, 1983-1988)
Frank Gell		(6 episodes, 1990-1993)
Peter Middleton		(4 episodes, 1982-1984)
Richard Greatrex		(2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Mike Robinson		(2 episodes, 2005-2011)

Series Film Editing by
Peter Delfgou		(18 episodes, 1982-1993)
Beverly D'Souza		(16 episodes, 1983-1993)
Geoff Hogg		(11 episodes, 1984-2005)
Rob Wright		(7 episodes, 1983-1988)
Fiona MacKenzie		(3 episodes, 1984-1986)
Ron Blythe		(3 episodes, 1984)
John Delfgou		(3 episodes, 1990)
Mike Heales		(3 episodes, 1990)
Mick Rudman		(3 episodes, 1990)
Chris Dickens		(3 episodes, 1993-2000)
Nick Smith		(2 episodes, 2005-2011)

Series Casting by
Simone Reynolds		(1 episode, 1988)

Series Production Design by
Marcus Rowland		(11 episodes, 1990-1998)
Christopher Hobbs		(8 episodes, 1983-1984)
John Ebden		(7 episodes, 1988-2000)

Series Art Direction by
Michael Buchanan		(7 episodes, 1984-1986)
Adrian Smith		(2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Denise Ruben		(2 episodes, 1988)
Harriet Porter		(2 episodes, 1993)

Series Costume Design by
Frances Haggett		(15 episodes, 1983-1988)
Janty Yates		(10 episodes, 1990-1998)
Julie Grout		(4 episodes, 1990)
Rebecca Hale		(4 episodes, 1990)

Series Makeup Department
Stephen Rose	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (8 episodes, 1992-1998)
Sally Sutton	....	makeup artist / hair stylist (7 episodes, 1986-1990)
Magdalen Gaffney	....	makeup artist / hair stylist (7 episodes, 1992-1993)
Naomi Donne	....	makeup artist / hair stylist / ... (6 episodes, 1986-1990)
Anne Spiers	....	makeup artist / prosthetics (4 episodes, 1983-1988)
Louise Fisher	....	makeup artist / chief makeup artist (3 episodes, 1983-1993)
Sarah Cherry	....	makeup artist (3 episodes, 1990-1993)
Sheila Davy	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Norma Hill	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1983-1993)
Debbie Scragg	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Penny Bell	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1984)
Norma Webb	....	makeup artist / makeup assistant (2 episodes, 1988)
Claire Faithful	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1990)
Maureen Hetherington	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1990)
Karen Hyams	....	makeup artist / makeup designer (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Production Management
Elaine Taylor	....	production manager (9 episodes, 1982-1984)
Nira Park	....	production manager (7 episodes, 1992-1993)
Sarah Radclyffe	....	production manager (3 episodes, 1983)
Christopher Sprague	....	production supervisor (2 episodes, 1988)
Laurie Borg	....	production manager (2 episodes, 1990)
Sophie Cuthbertson	....	production manager (2 episodes, 1990)
Fiona Sutton	....	production manager (2 episodes, 1990)
Rebecca Jeffrey	....	production manager (2 episodes, 2000-2005)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Glynn Purcell	....	first assistant director / assistant director (19 episodes, 1983-2011)
Mel Nortcliffe	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (9 episodes, 1990-2000)
Luc Roeg	....	second assistant director (6 episodes, 1984)
Laurie Borg	....	first assistant director / assistant director (5 episodes, 1990-1993)
Mikaela Skinner	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1992-1993)
James Corbett	....	assistant director (3 episodes, 1982-1983)
Lloyd Stanton	....	third assistant director (3 episodes, 1990-1993)
Mark Layton	....	second assistant director / assistant director (3 episodes, 1990)
Mark Cooper	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1983)
Simon Hinkly	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1984-1988)
Iain Patrick	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1984)
Terry Pasfield	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 1992)
Jo Chate	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 1993)
Ray Corbett	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1993)

Series Art Department
Kit Line	....	construction / construction coordinator (9 episodes, 1992-1993)
Alastair Gow	....	construction (8 episodes, 1983-1984)
Richard Maris	....	props stand-by / properties / ... (8 episodes, 1992-1993)
Anna Kasabova	....	props buyer / art department runner / ... (7 episodes, 1992-1993)
Jonathan Maris	....	art department (6 episodes, 1988-1993)
Steve Wheeler	....	properties / props master / ... (6 episodes, 1988-1993)
Jonathan Hurst	....	props (6 episodes, 1990)
Jocelyn James	....	art department assistant (5 episodes, 1984)
Jules Bradbury	....	properties buyer / assistant art director (5 episodes, 1988-1990)
Ty Teiger	....	property master (3 episodes, 1988)
Harriet Porter	....	props buyer (3 episodes, 1992)
Celia Barnett	....	assistant art director (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Richard Ede	....	art department assistant / construction (2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Eric Strange	....	props master / stand-by props (2 episodes, 1988-1992)
Murray Dale	....	stand-by carpenter (2 episodes, 1988)
Clive Gribble	....	stand-by carpenter (2 episodes, 1988)
Wesley Peppiatt	....	properties (2 episodes, 1990)
Geoff Hudson	....	scenic artist (2 episodes, 1993)

Series Sound Department
John Hayes	....	sound / sound recordist (29 episodes, 1982-2005)
Hugh Strain	....	dubbing mixer / sound mixer (12 episodes, 1988-1993)
Simon Hayes	....	sound / sound recordist (8 episodes, 1990-1998)
Austin Bisgood	....	sound (7 episodes, 1983-1984)
Simon Hayter	....	sound / boom operator (6 episodes, 1984-1990)
Chris Dickens	....	dubbing editor (6 episodes, 1992-1993)
Rod Guest	....	dubbing mixer (5 episodes, 1983-1988)
Andrew Morris	....	boom operator / sound (5 episodes, 1986-2000)
Clive Pendry	....	dubbing mixer (4 episodes, 1982-1984)
Paul Filby	....	sound (4 episodes, 1982-1983)
Colin Nicolson	....	sound (4 episodes, 1992-1993)
Tony Anscombe	....	dubbing mixer (3 episodes, 1983-1984)
Ian Voigt	....	sound (3 episodes, 1992-1993)
Ivan Sharp	....	sound / sound recordist (2 episodes, 1983)
Andy Nelson	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Colin Martin	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1988-1993)
Paul Carr	....	dubbing mixer / sound mixer (2 episodes, 1988)
Nigel Duthie	....	dubbing editor / sound editor (2 episodes, 1988)
Philip Bothamley	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1990)
Rupert Castle	....	sound (2 episodes, 1992-1993)
Tony Cook	....	sound (2 episodes, 1993)
Jean-Raphaël Dedieu	....	sound designer (2 episodes, 2005-2011)
André Jacquemin	....	sound / sound supervisor (2 episodes, 2005-2011)
Chris Nuttall	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes, 2004)

Series Special Effects by
Dave Barton	....	special effects technician (1 episode, 1988)
Ian Emes	....	special effects (1 episode, 1988)
Christopher Tucker	....	transformation special effects (1 episode, 1988)
Richard Van Den Bergh	....	special effects supervisor (1 episode, 1998)
Lottie Cooper	....	digital fx supervisor (1 episode, 2011)

Series Visual Effects by
Buddy Blackwell	....	video effects operator (1 episode, 1988)
Clive Dawson	....	visual effects (1 episode, 1988)
George Snow	....	video effects (1 episode, 1988)
Matthew Turner	....	telecine (1 episode, 1998)

Series Stunts
Colin Skeaping	....	stunt coordinator / stunts (2 episodes, 1988-1993)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Metcalfe	....	focus puller / assistant camera / ... (8 episodes, 1983-1993)
David Johnson	....	assistant camera / focus puller (8 episodes, 1983-1986)
Stuart Godfrey	....	grip / key grip (7 episodes, 1992-2005)
Deborah Imogen Beer	....	still photographer (7 episodes, 1992-1993)
Riki Butland	....	gaffer (6 episodes, 1990-1993)
Larry Park	....	gaffer (6 episodes, 1990-1993)
Jim Monks	....	key grip (4 episodes, 1983-1984)
Andy Hebden	....	gaffer (4 episodes, 1988-1990)
Rob Roy	....	clapper loader (4 episodes, 1992-1993)
Carole Stapleton	....	focus puller (4 episodes, 1992-1993)
Larry S. Prinz	....	gaffer / electrician (3 episodes, 1983-2000)
John Lake	....	key grip (3 episodes, 1983-1984)
Nick Ray	....	grip / key grip (3 episodes, 1984-1993)
Angus Hudson	....	assistant camera / clapper loader / ... (3 episodes, 1984-1988)
Stephen Morley	....	still photographer (3 episodes, 1988-1998)
Bob McShane	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Brandon Apps	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Bruce Kington	....	electrician (2 episodes, 1983)
Jim Lennon	....	electrician (2 episodes, 1983)
Paul Donachie	....	clapper loader (2 episodes, 1988-1992)
John Donoghue	....	electrician / gaffer (2 episodes, 1988)
Richard Haw	....	camera grip / grip (2 episodes, 1988)
Gary Varney	....	best boy (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Gary Hammil	....	still photographer (2 episodes, 1992-1993)
Nico Cummins	....	clapper loader (2 episodes, 1993)
Roz Naylor	....	clapper loader (2 episodes, 1993)
Andy Edridge	....	grip (2 episodes, 1998-2000)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sue Born-Thompson	....	wardrobe mistress / wardrobe assistant (8 episodes, 1983-1988)
Amanda Trewin	....	costume assistant (8 episodes, 1992-1993)
Frances Haggett	....	wardrobe (2 episodes, 1982-1983)

Series Editorial Department
Ron Blythe	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1983)
Mike Heales	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1988)

Series Location Management
Paul Barratt	....	location manager (1 episode, 1988)

Series Music Department
Steve Parr	....	music recordist (2 episodes, 1992-1993)

Series Production Department
Rachel Krish	....	production assistant (1 episode, 1988)

Series Script and Continuity Department
Annie South	....	continuity (1 episode, 1988)

Series Transportation Department
Crispin Buxton	....	driver: unit minibus (1 episode, 1988)
John Doran	....	driver (1 episode, 1988)
Colin Gray	....	driver (1 episode, 1988)
Clive Miles	....	driver (1 episode, 1988)
Howard Pugh	....	transportation manager (1 episode, 1988)
John Rankin	....	driver (1 episode, 1988)
John Vaughan	....	driver (1 episode, 1988)
Larry Williams	....	driver (1 episode, 1988)
Richard Booz	....	transportation captain (1 episode, 1990)

Series Other crew
Annie South	....	continuity / script supervisor (21 episodes, 1983-2000)
Pete Richens	....	associate director (11 episodes, 1988-1993)
Bill Craster	....	production accountant (9 episodes, 1983-1986)
Simon Wright	....	biz: Comic Strip / manager: Comic Strip (9 episodes, 1983-1986)
Michael Wood	....	accountant (9 episodes, 1992-1993)
Nigel Wood	....	accountant (9 episodes, 1992-1993)
Nira Park	....	assistant to producer / production coordinator (8 episodes, 1990-1993)
Jane Frazer	....	secretary to producer (7 episodes, 1983-1984)
Ralph Kamp	....	runner (6 episodes, 1983-1984)
David Stacey	....	runner (6 episodes, 1984)
Jonathan Hurst	....	production team (6 episodes, 1990)
Amanda Posey	....	assistant to producer (6 episodes, 1990)
Paul Walker	....	production team (6 episodes, 1990)
Rawdon de Fresnes	....	production runner (6 episodes, 1992-1993)
Diana Dill	....	continuity (5 episodes, 1982-1983)
Sophie Richardson	....	production team / runner / ... (5 episodes, 1984-1988)
Adam Black	....	location manager (5 episodes, 1992-1993)
Jenny Borgars	....	production assistant (5 episodes, 1992-1993)
Sam Garwood	....	runner / runner/trainee (4 episodes, 1984-1986)
Rosie Bowen	....	assistant to producer / secretary to producer (4 episodes, 1988)
Wesley Peppiatt	....	production team (4 episodes, 1990)
Tanya Findel-Hawkins	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1992-1993)
Lucy Hoare	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1992-1993)
Rachel Krish	....	production assistant / production team (3 episodes, 1984-1986)
Roger Pomphrey	....	production team (3 episodes, 1984-1986)
Mike Amos	....	production accountant (3 episodes, 1988)
Anthony Bryans	....	production runner / floor runner (3 episodes, 1988)
Mark Allett	....	production team (3 episodes, 1990)
Marcus Rowland	....	production team (3 episodes, 1990)
Leo Cullen	....	production runner (3 episodes, 1992-1993)
Keith Milton	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1992-1993)
John Hackney	....	location coordinator (2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Alasdair McGaw	....	production accountant (2 episodes, 1983)
Robert Wallace	....	runner (2 episodes, 1983)
Susanna Merry	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1984)
Daphne Carr	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1986-1990)
Maggie Rhys	....	continuity (2 episodes, 1988)
Tony Clarkson	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1990-1993)
Greg Jordan	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1990)
Poppy Luard	....	production team (2 episodes, 1990)
Matthew Penry-Davey	....	production runner (2 episodes, 1992-1993)
Sophie Cuthbertson	....	location coordinator / production coordinator (2 episodes, 1993)
Derek Harrington	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Emma Richards	....	production assistant / production coordinator (2 episodes, 2005-2011)

Series Thanks
Lita O'Sullivan	....	thanks (7 episodes, 1992-1993)
Jeremy Wooding	....	thanks (2 episodes, 1993)

Production Companies

• Channel 4 Television Corporation
• Comic Strip
• Michael White Productions

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1992)
• Channel 4 Television Corporation (1982-2000)
• PolyGram Video

Also Known As:

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:

Referenced in The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz (2007) (TV)

must be seen to be believed

unique, hilarious parodies of cliche-ridden entertainment by a semiregular group of brits. I particularly remember their spoofs of spaghetti westerns ('a fistful of travelers checks') and post-apocalyptic flicks ('the slags'), as well as shots at kids shows, Rebecca, back-to-the-wilderness retreats, and a pre-Spinal Tap metal band's misfortunes. the Slags featured a young Anthony Stewart Head (Giles on Buffy tVS) as the leader of a gang called the Hawaiians ('that's not...nice!'). my personal favorite is the 'Travelers Checks' episode; the music and scenery and camera work would have made a perfectly good movie of the genre (especially the guitar-and-whistle music); and who could forget 'Billy Balfour, the Man with No Name'?! some of the regulars (Ade Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer) played in the bizzare 'Young Ones' series.