"Kelly Monteith" (1979) TV series 1979-1984

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

15 November 1979 (UK)

Cast

Gary Martin	...	Jim (7 episodes, 1979-1982)
Kelly Monteith		(6 episodes, 1979-1982)
Pippa Page		(4 episodes, 1984)
Gabrielle Drake	...	Mrs. Monteith (2 episodes, 1979-1980)
Carmel Cryan		(2 episodes, 1979-1980)
April Walker		(2 episodes, 1980-1981)
Tony Anholt		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
John Arnatt		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Laurie Goode	...	Various roles (2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Julia Goodman		(2 episodes, 1981)
Barrie Gosney		(2 episodes, 1982)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

An American Wolf In London

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Fast-talking U.S. comic Kelly Monteith made such an impact on 'Des O'Connor Tonight' he was given his own B.B.C.-2 show. Unlike the dreary Joan Rivers, however, Monteith was a brilliant stand-up in the Robin Williams mold, when telling jokes he could play different characters and switch voices with exhilarating speed. One of his best routines was called 'The Symptoms Of Eddie's Disease' in which he delivered a speech outlining the symptoms ( hicupping, twitching etc. ) of said malady whilst displaying them himself.

The series starred Monteith as a fictionalised version of himself, an American comic based in London, living in a flat with wife Suzanne, played by the sexy Gabrielle Drake. Monteith would chat to the audience, and his monologues alternated with domestic sketches, written by Monteith and Spike Milligan's 'Q' collaborator Neil Shand.

In one amusing item, Monteith impressed an elderly couple he met at a party so much they invited him round for dinner the following Tuesday. On arrival, however, he found the couple had gone cold on him, and laughed at none of his jokes.

Drake left the show eventually, and the format was changed. The last season was about the making of the Kelly Monteith series, and didn't prove as popular with viewers. After the show ended, Monteith returned to the States, where he now concentrates on nightclub work.