Hello Cheeky (1976– ) User Reviews

A Forgotten Comedy Classic? Absolutely Not!

[Rabical-91 · 2/10 · 11 April 2017]

Many comedy shows have made a transfer from radio to television, usually with successful results, however others have not been quite so lucky. A prime example of the latter being 'Hello Cheeky' which was a mish-mash of one-line sketches penned by its stars - John Junkin, Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke Taylor. Denis King appeared in some sketches and was often the subject of the others' jokes. Sadly, despite its impressive credentials, 'Hello Cheeky' did not seem to make a decent transition to a visual media and therefore refused to gel.

The cast trotted out corny ( and yes, I know they were supposed to be corny ) jokes in front of the audience in a rather forced and amateurish way. There was no set as such, rather a role of film playing in the background. These did not help to benefit the show whatsoever. Believe it or not, this joke is actually the best in the entire show.

CRYER: My mother has a budgerigar. She can swing on a perch with one leg and say ''Whose a pretty girl then?''.

TAYLOR: Any budgerigar can do that!

CRYER: I mean my mother!

'Hello Cheeky' did not seem to be going anywhere, something that Yorkshire Television seemed to agree with as after its second series it was dropped from the airwaves. Miraculously, it was released on DVD in 2010 but was discontinued in 2013. Given the talent involved, it is odd that 'Hello Cheeky' did not amount to anything more than a turkey.

A Forgotten Comedy Classic

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 28 November 2005]

In 1976, a new series appeared in the prestigious 8 o'clock comedy slot on I.T.V. on Monday nights. 'Hello Cheeky' started life as a B.B.C. radio show, before being transferred to Yorkshire Television. The omens were good; the stars and writers were Tim-Brooke-Taylor, one of the biggest comedy stars on British television at that time ( thanks to 'The Goodies' ), Barry Cryer, who had fronted the panel game 'Jokers Wild', and John Junkin, who had appeared with the comedy genius Marty Feldman in 'Its Marty' ( as had Brooke-Taylor ) and countless other shows, including his own daytime series 'Junkin'. The show's other cast member was musician Denis King, who often found himself the butt of the others' jokes. So confidant were I.T.V. of success they gave 'Hello Cheeky' a 'T.V. Times' cover, and ordered a second run before the first went out.

But things did not work out as expected. In his seminal book 'Laughter On The Box', the late Barry Took described 'Hello Cheeky' as a lot of 'old jokes, or rather, new jokes done in the style of old jokes'. The U.S, series 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In' was certainly a major influence. The problem was that 'Cheeky' still seemed like a radio show even on television. Taped before a studio audience, the trio delivered corny quips and puns to camera. Sets were non-existent; photographic slides were used to create scenery. You half expected to see the cast reading the scripts out loud. Regular characters included Junkin's 'Dudley Function', an idiot in glasses with a lisp who would give obvious answers to questions. For instance, asked about his garden, he replied: "Its at the back of my house and its got a big fence all around it!".

Viewers were not amused, however, and the second run went out in a post 'News At Ten' graveyard slot.

Looked at now it is hard to believe it ever went out at peak-time, normally reserved for domestic sitcoms such as 'The Cuckoo Waltz'. Comedian Eddie Large was once quoted as saying the sight of two grown men hitting each with frying pans would be considered too childish for peak-time viewing, but would be regarded as anarchically funny in a post-watershed slot. He is spot on, as was Brooke-Taylor when he joked about the whole experience in an episode of 'The Goodies': "They put it out at the wrong time!". It is now on D.V.D. and I have to say I found it funnier than on its original broadcast. Its zany, quick-fire humour had me rolling me about on the floor. Yes, not all the gags worked, but then they don't work in many modern shows either.

Goodbye Cheeky!

Cheesy? No way!

[Yonilikka-22 · 10/10 · 29 April 2021]

'Hello Cheeky' was a very funny I. T. V. Programme based on a B. B. C. Radio show. Starring and written by three comedy geniuses - Barry Cryer, the late John Junkin, and the late Tim Brooke-Taylor ( and how heartbreaking it was last year to have to lose Tim to Covid-19 ), how could it not be hilarious? Alright, so none of it was filmed outdoors, but then it did not need to be. The cast ( including Denis King ) were clearly having a great time, and this was communicated to the audience. The big mistake was, however, the timeslot. If it had gone out in a post 'News At Ten' slot, I think it would been a hit. But, it went out on Monday nights at 8 o'clock, and stood no chance of getting the cult audience it deserved. Thankfully, it was released on D. V. D. A few years back, so we can all enjoy it once again. I'll tell you what really is cheesy - 'Tripper's Day' starring Leonard Rossiter. It too is on D. V. D.

And for some strange reason has been repeated on Forces T. V. It was lousy even back in 1984.