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

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Seasons:

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

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 | Actor Playing Multiple Roles | Satire

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Peter Richardson	...	Foyle / ... (38 episodes, 1982-2000)
Adrian Edmondson	...	Billy / ... (29 episodes, 1982-2000)
Jennifer Saunders	...	Anne / ... (28 episodes, 1982-1998)
Dawn French	...	Frances / ... (25 episodes, 1982-1998)
Nigel Planer	...	Den Dennis / ... (25 episodes, 1983-2005)
Robbie Coltrane	...	Max / ... (17 episodes, 1982-1993)
Rik Mayall	...	Colin Grigson / ... (17 episodes, 1983-2005)
Keith Allen	...	Bonehead / ... (17 episodes, 1983-1993)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White (episode "Beat Generation, The") | Black and White (episode "Spaghetti Hoops") | Colour

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:

Featured in 50 Most Shocking Comedy Moments (2006) (TV)

Hit and miss comedy capers for Channel Four

The first 'Comic Strip Presents ...' production came to our screens on the opening night of Channel 4 (I think) with one of the best editions, 'Five Go Mad In Dorset' (Peter Richardson as Julian, Ade Edmondson as Dick, Jennifer Saunders as Anne, Dawn French as George, and Ronald Allen aka David from Crossroads as Uncle Quentin. Also featured Daniel Peacock, now there's a blast from the past, as Toby).

Future editions were a bit hit and miss but I'm glad to have been around when these were new: 'The Bad News Tour' (including Rik Mayall and Nigel Planer as well as Ade from The Young Ones); 'Gino' (with Keith Allen and Robbie Coltrane); 'The Bullshitters' (the Professionals spoof with Keith Allen as Bonehead and Peter Richardson as Foyle; Scum's Julian Firth; Esther Freud as a backstage floozy, and Elvis Costello as an A&R man); 'The Strike' (following the miners' strike, this appeared - three Allens (Keith, Kevin, Ronald) and the loud Scouser Alexei Sayle); the wonderful 'Mr Jolly Lives Next Door' (Peter Cook, Nicholas Parsons, and I seem to remember Rowland Rivron in this?); and 'The Yob' (Keith Allen again; Julian Firth as a coke addict; Warren Clarke; Gary Olsen; and Derrick Branche).

By the mid-1990s though the series was looking tired - a new generation of comedians was starting to appear and the Comic Strip gang were all heading into their 40s and beyond. Some went on to greater things, some disappeared. I doubt a series like this would survive for nearly twenty years if it started now, with largely the same core cast. 'The Comic Strip Presents ...' was groundbreaking and largely a lot of fun.