Alfresco (1983–1984)

Stars:

Robbie Coltrane, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry

Cast

Series cast summary:
Robbie Coltrane	...	Various Characters (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Ben Elton	...	Various Characters (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Stephen Fry	...	Various Characters (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Hugh Laurie	...	Various Characters (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Siobhan Redmond	...	Various Characters (13 episodes, 1983-1984)
Emma Thompson	...	Various Characters (13 episodes, 1983-1984)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

sketch comedy | alternative comedy | one word title | british comedy

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1983 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows There's Nothing to Worry About! (1982)

User Reviews

Dated and embarrassingly un-funny, especially given the cast

Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie gave us the flawless characterizations of "Jeeves & Wooster", and the often hilariously clever silliness of "A 'Bit' of Fry and Laurie". Throw in the talented Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane, and what could possibly go wrong? Just one thing: the writing.

This is sketch comedy at its absolute worst -- self-indulgent, unfocused, under-developed and instantly dated. "A 'Bit' of Fry & Laurie" (not to mention "Monty Python's Flying Circus") worked because they relied heavily on absurdist humor, apportioned out in very brief sketches. "Alfresco" sketches wander on and on, with no punch line in sight, just one obnoxious character, potty joke and petering-out plot after another, all propped up with a pathetic laugh track.

They savage "new-agers" (ooh!), the class system (how brave!), and those wacky pop musicians (oh, Alfresco -- you shouldn't have!). They wear madcap wigs and wacky make-up! They affect goofy accents! Every aspect of the show is turned up to eleven, without it raising the humor one tick. Honestly -- I really wanted to like this series, but found it impossible.