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The Kenny Everett Television Show

The Kenny Everett Television Show is a comedy sketch show broadcast on BBC1 from 24 December 1981 to 18 January 1988.[1][2] It was presented by its main performer Kenny Everett, who wrote the material with Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron. Later in 1986 they were joined by writing team Andrew Marshall and David Renwick after Cameron's departure the previous year. It was similar in style to Everett's previous programme The Kenny Everett Video Show, broadcast on ITV from 1978 to 1981,[3] but with greater emphasis on comedy sketches than musical numbers. However, each edition would still have at least one music act. A total 47 episodes, including 6 Christmas specials and 2 compilations over 5 series, were produced by the BBC, broadcast between 24 December 1981 and 18 January 1988 inclusive.

The Kenny Everett Television Show
Written by
Directed by
  • Bill Wilson (series 1–2)
  • John Bishop (series 3–4)
  • Kevin Bishop (series 5)
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes47 (including 6 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
Production locationsBBC Television Centre, White City, London
Running time30 minutes
Production companyBBC Television
Original release
NetworkBBC1
Release24 December 1981 (1981-12-24) –
18 January 1988 (1988-01-18)
Related
The Kenny Everett Video Show

Background

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In 1981, Everett was increasingly unhappy with Thames Television over the management and scheduling of The Kenny Everett Video Show. One of his main complaints was that the show was directly scheduled at the same time as Top of the Pops on Thursday evenings, which took a hit on the ratings. Shortly after Series 4 had finished broadcasting, after some failed negotiations Everett decided not to renew his contract with Thames. In October of that year, he returned to the BBC, when he presented a weekly Saturday show on BBC Radio 2. The BBC were looking for a new prime sketch show, to fill the void since the loss of Morecambe and Wise to Thames three years earlier, and saw potential for doing a sketch show series with Everett. For his new BBC show, he brought over two of his writing collaborators who had worked with him on the Video Show, Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron, who had defected with him from Thames. They were joined by producer James Moir whose credits notably included The Generation Game and The Mike Yarwood Show, along with director Bill Wilson who had previously worked with Moir on the first two series of Not the Nine O'Clock News.[4] Moir would ultimately produce only the first show; shortly after its recording, the Director General, Alistair Milne, promoted Moir to Head of Variety, leaving Wilson to take over producing responsibilities.[5] Wilson who was unfamiliar with Everett's work over at Thames wanted to go in a different direction to what had gone before. This show would have a larger budget, bigger guest stars, longer periods of filming and taping the show before a studio audience, much in contrast to the comparatively low budget production of the Thames series which was filmed at smaller studios and without an audience.

Overview

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The show's format was similar to his previous show with a mixture of comedy sketches and musical interludes, Everett had even brought over old characters like Marcel Wave, Angry of Mayfair, Brother Lee Love and Sid Snot from his previous show, despite accusations from Thames over the copyright of these characters.[6] He also created a slew of new characters including Gizzard Puke, a philosophical punk who shares many similarities with his earlier character Sid Snot; Maurice Mimer, a mime artist whose drawings turn into real objects; Reg Prescott, an inept TV handyman whose D.I.Y. demonstrations often lead to horrific injuries; General Cheeseburger, a US Army General with oversized shoulders adorned with medals and hand grenades, whose monologues were seen as a satire on US foreign policy; Verity Treacle, an agony aunt who often receives requests by viewers to kill off celebrities in various elaborate ways; and Cupid Stunt, a vociferous B-movie actress, who is often seen giving interviews about her eventful career to a cardboard cut out of Michael Parkinson, where she rounds off each interview with the iconic catchphrase "It's all done in the best possible taste!" Moreover, he also parodied popular shows at the time including Dallas and Dynasty which were merged to become 'Dallasty', a spoof of the Australian soap Neighbours called 'Cobbers', along with well-known fictional characters like Spider-Man, Beau Geste and Hinge & Bracket.

Everett was aided by an extensive supporting cast who included Cleo Rocos, Sheila Steafal, Lou Hirsch, Billy Connolly, John Arnatt and Willie Rushton, along with a long list of celebrity guest stars who continuously sent themselves up, the likes of Frank Thornton, Brian Blessed, Lionel Blair, Burt Kwouk, Lulu, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Joanna Lumley, Lennie Bennett, Terry Wogan, Mel Smith and Vikki Michelle, who made frequent appearances on the show. In addition to the main pool of writers involved in the show, a number of other writers also submitted various sketches to the show, including Paul Alexander, Simon Booker, Neil Shand, Paul Minett and Dick Vosburgh, the last of whom had previously worked with Everett on his show at Thames. The show was a ratings success for the BBC, repeatedly drawing audiences of around 12-13 million viewers per episode.[7][8] When the show hit the screens in early 1982, it was lauded by critics; Hilary Kingsley from the Daily Mirror commented "the first Kenny Everett show was tatty, tasteless and trivial. I loved it!"[9] Everett was praised for his inventive comedy style that went against the norm for sketch shows; it was seen as zany, daring and unique,[10] although at times the humour bordered on the grisly and squirm inducing.[11] Towards the end of the show's run in 1987 the reception had changed, it was beginning to look tired and old fashioned as James Green commented in a review for The Stage in December 1987, with its formula of bawdy and surreal humour barely changing over the years.[12] After Series 5 had ended in January 1988, Everett decided not to renew his contract with the BBC due to his growing disillusion with the filming of the show and faltering professional relations with his co-writers.[5] Despite the BBC's intentions for the show to continue, it came to an abrupt end when Everett opted out from doing more shows.

Episodes

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Christmas Special (1981)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Produced by Directed by Original airdate
11"Merry Xmas"James MoirBill Wilson24 December 1981 (1981-12-24)
Guest stars: David Frost, Bob Geldof, Billy Connolly, John Arnatt and Terry Wogan; Musical guests: The Police

Series 1 (1982)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Directed and Produced by Original airdate
21"Episode 1"Bill Wilson25 February 1982 (1982-02-25)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Simon Cadell, John Junkin, John Arnatt, Billy Connolly, Willie Rushton, Sheila Steafel and Terry Wogan; Musical guest: Bill Wyman
32"Episode 2"Bill Wilson4 March 1982 (1982-03-04)
Guest stars: Toyah Willcox, Richard Johnson, Terry Wogan, Gary Martin, John Arnatt, Bill Wyman and Joanna Lumley; Musical guests: Toyah
43"Episode 3"Bill Wilson11 March 1982 (1982-03-11)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Willie Rushton, Sheila Steafel, John Arnatt, Billy Connolly, John Wells, Joanna Lumley and Richard Johnson; Musical guests: Madness
54"Episode 4"Bill Wilson18 March 1982 (1982-03-18)
Guest stars: Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Junkin, Frank Carson, Mike Moran, John Wells, Billy Connolly, Sheila Steafel, Joanna Lumley and Richard Johnson; Musical guest: Toni Basil
65"Episode 5"Bill Wilson25 March 1982 (1982-03-25)
Guest stars: Michael Parkinson, Willie Rushton, Gary Martin, John Arnatt and Terry Wogan; Musical guests: Imagination
76"Episode 6"Bill Wilson1 April 1982 (1982-04-01)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Frank Carson, Adam Faith, Gary Martin, John Arnatt, Sheila Steafel and Terry Wogan; Musical guest: B.A. Robertson
87"Episode 7"Bill Wilson8 April 1982 (1982-04-08)
Guest stars: Billy Connolly, Pamela Stephenson, Sheila Steafel, James Hunt, Lulu, Ian Lavender, Susan George and Michael Winner; Musical guests: Chas & Dave
98"Episode 8"Bill Wilson15 April 1982 (1982-04-15)
Guest stars: ABBA, Billy Connolly, Cannon & Ball, John Arnatt, Noel Edmonds, Judy Geeson, Susan George, Sheila Steafel and Bob Geldof; Musical guest: Lulu
109"The Best of Series 1"Bill Wilson30 June 1982 (1982-06-30)
Compilation episode.

Christmas Special (1982)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Directed and Produced by Original airdate
111"Just Another Show"Bill Wilson28 December 1982 (1982-12-28)

Guest stars: Billy Connolly, Barry Cryer, Russell Harty, Lulu, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Geoffrey Palmer, Pamela Stephenson, Janet Street-Porter and Terry Wogan

Musical guests: Ultravox

Series 2 (1983)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Directed and Produced by Original airdate
121"Episode 1"Bill Wilson24 February 1983 (1983-02-24)
Guest stars: Burt Kwouk, Mel Smith, Ted Moult, Mike Moran, John Arnatt, Lou Hirsch, Sheila Steafel, Tony Osoba and Frank Williams; Musical guests: Modern Romance
132"Episode 2"Bill Wilson3 March 1983 (1983-03-03)
Guest stars: Jonathan Cecil, Billy Connolly, Burt Kwouk, Lou Hirsch, Mike Moran, Tony Osoba, Julian Lloyd-Webber, Geoffrey Palmer and Tic & Toc; Musical guests: Kajagoogoo
143"Episode 3"Bill Wilson10 March 1983 (1983-03-10)
Guest stars: John Bluthal, Mike Grady, Jack Haig, Willie Rushton, Mike Moran, Mel Smith and Eli Woods; Musical guests: U2
154"Episode 4"Bill Wilson17 March 1983 (1983-03-17)

Guest stars: Sabina Franklyn, Tim Barrett, Lou Hirsch, Eli Woods, John Bluthal, Robin Parkinson, P.G. Stephens, Burt Kwouk, Joanna Lumley, Jack Scott, Jacqueline Clarke, Sheila Steafel and Terry Wogan

Musical guests: Duran Duran
165"Episode 5"Bill Wilson24 March 1983 (1983-03-24)
Guest stars: Martin Shaw, Mike Moran and Barry Cryer; Musical guests: Spandau Ballet
176"Episode 6"Bill Wilson31 March 1983 (1983-03-31)
Guest stars: Sheila Steafel, Roy Kinnear, Aimi MacDonald, Lou Hirsch, Mike Moran and Richard Todd; Musical guests: The Thompson Twins
187"Episode 7"Bill Wilson7 April 1983 (1983-04-07)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Lennie Bennett, Alfred Marks, Su Pollard and Frank Thornton; Musical guests: The Stranglers
198"Episode 8"Bill Wilson14 April 1983 (1983-04-14)
Guest stars: Alfred Marks, Daniel Peacock and Su Pollard; Musical guests: Chas & Dave

Specials (1983–1984)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Produced by Directed by Original airdate
201"Christmas Show"Bill WilsonBill Wilson26 December 1983 (1983-12-26)
Guest stars: Frank Thornton, Sheila Steafel, Willie Rushton, Lennie Bennett, Lionel Blair, Mike Moran, Billy Connolly and Fern Britton; Musical guests: The Police
212"The Best of Series 2"Bill WilsonBill Wilson3 August 1984 (1984-08-03)
Compilation episode.
223"Christmas Show"Bill WilsonDavid Taylor27 December 1984 (1984-12-27)
Guest stars: Fiona Fullerton, Lennie Bennett, Bonnie Langford, Lulu, Patrick Mower, Willie Rushton and Bernie Winters; Musical guests: Culture Club

Series 3 (1985)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Directed and Produced by Original airdate
231"Episode 1"John Bishop13 April 1985 (1985-04-13)
Guest stars: Jeffrey Holland, Sheila Steafel, John Wells and Bernie Winters; Musical guests: Tears For Fears
242"Episode 2"John Bishop20 April 1985 (1985-04-20)
Guest stars: Vicki Michelle, Lionel Blair, John Wells, Peter Woods, Jeffrey Wickham and Frank Thornton; Musical guests: The Flying Pickets
253"Episode 3"John Bishop27 April 1985 (1985-04-27)
Guest stars: Tim Brooke-Taylor, Jeffrey Holland, Sheila Steafel, Joanna Lumley and Lennie Bennett; Musical guests: Godley & Creme
264"Episode 4"John Bishop11 May 1985 (1985-05-11)
Guest stars: Lennie Bennett, Geoff Capes, Vicki Michelle, David Rappaport and Bernie Winters; Musical guests: Dead or Alive
275"Episode 5"John Bishop18 May 1985 (1985-05-18)
Guest stars: Bananarama, Sheila Steafel, Lionel Blair, John Arnatt and Willie Rushton; Musical guest: Toyah Wilcox
286"Episode 6"John Bishop25 May 1985 (1985-05-25)
Guest stars: Jeffrey Holland and Gareth Hunt; Musical guest: Howard Jones
297"Episode 7"John Bishop1 June 1985 (1985-06-01)
Guest stars: Fiona Fullerton, David Peacock, Willie Rushton and Sheila Steafel; Musical guest: David Cassidy
308"Episode 8"John Bishop8 June 1985 (1985-06-08)
Guest stars: Lennie Bennett, Kenny Lynch, Vicki Michelle and Willie Rushton; Musical guests: Big Daddy

Christmas Special (1985)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Directed and Produced by Original airdate
311"Kenny Everett's Christmas Carol"James Bishop24 December 1985 (1985-12-24)
Guest stars: John Humphrys (The Newsreader), B.A. Robertson (Bob Cratchit), Rory Bremner (Bob Geldof), Spike Milligan (Jacob Marley), John Wells (The Ghost of Christmas Past), Anneka Rice (Pandora), Michael Barrymore (The Schoolmaster), Willie Rushton (The Ghost of Christmas Present), Francis Wilson (The Butler), Debbie Arnold (Mrs. Cratchit), Stuart Fell (The Rabbi), James Hunt (Footman), Tessa Sanderson (Footman) and Peter Cook (The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come)

Series 4 (1986)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Produced by Directed by Original airdate
321"Episode 1"John BishopKevin Bishop16 October 1986 (1986-10-16)
Guest stars: Tom Baker, Brian Blessed, Lou Hirsch, David Healy, George Layton, Edward Duke and Rory Bremner (as Barry Norman); Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
332"Episode 2"John BishopKevin Bishop23 October 1986 (1986-10-23)
Guest stars: Lou Hirsch, Edward Duke, George Layton and Dennis Taylor; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
343"Episode 3"John BishopKevin Bishop30 October 1986 (1986-10-30)
Guest stars: Brian Blessed, Kenneth Colley, Joe Black, Edward Duke, Lou Hirsch and John Craven; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
354"Episode 4"John BishopKevin Bishop6 November 1986 (1986-11-06)
Guest stars: Joe Black, Brian Blessed, Mike Moran, Joanna Lumley, Tony Selby, Edward Duke and Lou Hirsch; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
365"Episode 5"John BishopKevin Bishop13 November 1986 (1986-11-13)
Guest stars: Brian Blessed, Joe Black, Rory Bremner, Edward Duke, Reginald Marsh, Lou Hirsch and Michael Stainton; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
376"Episode 6"John BishopKevin Bishop20 November 1986 (1986-11-20)

Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Joe Black, Edward Duke, Johnny More (as Fat Man), Irene Handl (as Arlene Phillips), George Layton, Lou Hirsch and Barry Took

Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
387"Episode 7"John BishopKevin Bishop27 November 1986 (1986-11-27)
Guest stars: John Arnatt, Brian Blessed, Rory Bremner (as Russell Harty), Edward Duke, Sarah Greene, Ted Moult (posthumous appearance), Lou Hirsch and Conrad Phillips; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
398"Episode 8"John BishopKevin Bishop4 December 1986 (1986-12-04)
Guest stars: Joe Black, Percy Edwards, Edward Duke, Lou Hirsch and George Layton; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip

Christmas Special (1986)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Directed and Produced by Original airdate
401"Kenny's Christmas Cracker"John Bishop24 December 1986 (1986-12-24)
Guest stars: Ben Aris, Ed Bishop, Lionel Blake, Jilli Foot, Simon Bowman, Ross Davidson, Howard Lew Lewis and Gareth Marks; Musical guests: Spandau Ballet

Series 5 (1987–1988)

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No. overall No. in Series Title Produced by Directed by Original airdate
411"Episode 1"Paul CianiKevin Bishop30 November 1987 (1987-11-30)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair and Gary Martin; Musical guest: Elton John
422"Episode 2"Paul CianiKevin Bishop7 December 1987 (1987-12-07)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Gerald Campion, Gary Martin and John Dunn; Musical guest: Kim Wilde
433"Episode 3"Paul CianiKevin Bishop14 December 1987 (1987-12-14)
Guest stars: Harry Fowler, Lionel Blair, Gary Martin and Christopher Timothy; Musical guest: Donny Osmond
454"Episode 4"Paul CianiKevin Bishop4 January 1988 (1988-01-04)
Guest stars: Ian McCaskill, Roy North, Gary Martin, Lionel Blair and Gerald Campion; Musical guest: Chris Rea
465"Episode 5"Paul CianiKevin Bishop11 January 1988 (1988-01-11)
Guest stars: Tim Brooke-Taylor, Lionel Blair, Sheila Steafel, Gary Martin and Frank Thornton; Musical guests: Marillion
476"Episode 6"Paul CianiKevin Bishop18 January 1988 (1988-01-18)
Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Gary Martin and Christopher Timothy; Musical guest: Errol Brown

Syndication

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Since the show was last broadcast in January 1988, no complete episodes from this show have ever been repeated on the BBC, but the show was often repeated in its entirety on UK Gold during the 1990s,[13] and more recently on Paramount Comedy starting from the 4 February 2008. A few months after Everett's death in April 1995, the BBC broadcast two compilation episodes titled 'The Best of the Kenny Everett Shows' over two consecutive weeks on BBC1 between 19 and 25 September 1995.[14][15] A few years later on 1 March 1999, the BBC released a compilation of his shows on DVD and VHS, titled 'Kenny Everett: In the Best Possible Taste'.[16] The complete series has yet to be released on DVD.

Series 3 was repeated in 1986 and 1986 xmas show was repeated in 1987

References

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  1. ^ "The Kenny Everett Television Show". BBC. 18 June 2014.
  2. ^ Lewis, John.E; Stempel, Penny (1998). Cult TV: The Comedies. Bay Books. ISBN 9780912333656.
  3. ^ "The Kenny Everett Video Show (TV Show, 1978-1981)". IMDb.
  4. ^ Stafford, David; Stafford, Caroline (2013). Cupid Stunts:The Life & Radio Times Of Kenny Everett. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857128676.
  5. ^ a b Hogg, James; Sellers, Robert (2013). Hello, Darlings! The Authorized Biography of Kenny Everett. Transworld. ISBN 9781448168316.
  6. ^ Montgomery, Louise (25 February 1982). "The Inside Story: Kenny's Cheeky Double Take". The Daily Mirror.
  7. ^ "BARB Top Tens: Monday March 1 - Sunday March 7". The Stage. 18 March 1982.
  8. ^ "BARB Top Tens: Monday April 8 - Sunday April 14". The Stage. 25 April 1985.
  9. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (27 February 1982). "Knickers! Kenny Enjoys His Show". The Daily Mirror.
  10. ^ Green, James (30 October 1986). "Kenny Everett Show". The Stage.
  11. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (15 April 1985). "The Descent of Everett". The Daily Mirror.
  12. ^ Green, James (10 December 1987). "Television Today: The Kenny Everett Television Show". The Stage.
  13. ^ "Wired". Aberdeen Evening Press. 28 September 1995.
  14. ^ "The Best Of Kenny Everett's Television Shows (Part 1)". tvdb.
  15. ^ "The Best Of Kenny Everett's Television Shows (Part 2)". tvdb.
  16. ^ "Kenny Everett: In the Best Possible Taste!". The Ultimate Kenny Everett Sketch Site. 16 October 2011.
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