"Harry Enfield's Television Programme" (1990) TV series 1990-1992

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

8 November 1990 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Sketch Comedy | Actor Playing Multiple Roles | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Harry Enfield	...	Lee / ... (12 episodes, 1990-1992)
Paul Whitehouse	...	Alf Git / ... (12 episodes, 1990-1992)
Kathy Burke	...	Waynetta Slob (12 episodes, 1990-1992)
Jon Glover	...	Mr. Chomondley-Warner / ... (7 episodes, 1990-1992)
Aden Gillett	...	Kometh the Iceman / ... (7 episodes, 1990-1992)
Gary Bleasdale	...	Gary / ... (6 episodes, 1990-1992)
Joe McGann	...	Barry / ... (6 episodes, 1990-1992)
David Barber	...	Fat Bloke (6 episodes, 1990-1992)
Rupert Holliday-Evans	...	Double Take Brother / ... (6 episodes, 1990)
Nathaniel Parker	...	Fire Man (5 episodes, 1990)

Runtime:

UK:30 min (12 episodes plus 1 x 40min)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:12 (2007-) | UK:15 (1992-2007)

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Comedy Connections: The Fast Show (#4.1)" (2006)

''What a thoroughly bloody nice bloke!''

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Harry Enfield had first found his niche on Channel 4's 'Saturday Live', where he played characters as diverse as the Cockney loudmouth 'Loadsamoney', drunken Geordie lout 'Buggerallmoney' and Greek kebab shop owner 'Stavros'. In 1990, he switched to the B.B.C for his own show, 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme'.

'Television Programme' was a big step for the likable comic. Here he played several memorable characters such as the slovenly 'Wayne Slob', one half of the cantankerous 'Old Gits', the buck-toothed 'Tim Nice But Dim', the irritating pensioner 'Mr. Don't Wanna Do That', and of course one of the trio that were 'The Scousers'.

Some characters really didn't take to my fancy, the ageing disc jockeys 'Smashie and Nicey' were just too boring to be funny, 'The Double Take Brothers', who would react with exaggerated excitement whenever the unexpected occurred made me cringe but worst of all was the hyperactive 'Little Brother'. I would often exit the room to make a cup of tea each time he appeared.

Enfield was also backed up by a very good support cast, particularly Paul Whitehouse and Kathy Burke. Enfield and Whitehouse had previously worked with each other writing sketches for B.B.C-2's 'Naked Video', together they struck up an excellent comic rapport. Proof that that show had caught on came when members of the public could be heard repeating the show's catchphrases either in workplaces or school playgrounds.

Guest appearances included the likes of Alan Freeman, Doon Mackichan, Kathy Tayler and Martin Clunes (whom Enfield had worked with on the first series of 'Men Behaving Badly').

The show ended after two seasons but returned in 1994 as 'Harry Enfield & Chums', bringing back all of the characters from the original series (apart from Smashie and Nicey) and introducing new characters. For example, Little Brother transformed into the hideous 'Kevin The Teenager'.

Enfield seems to have lost his touch with comedy these days. His Sky One series 'Harry Enfield's Brand Spanking New Show' unsurprisingly never made it past a first series and his most recent effort for the B.B.C, 'Ruddy Hell! Its Harry & Paul' gave me the urge to stick my foot through the television screen. Luckily, Sky Television repeats of both 'Television Programme' and 'Chums' are still with us today so there is no need whatsoever for 'New Show' and 'Harry & Paul' to be seen by anyone ever again.