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Britcomedy Digest Vol 2 no 06
==================================
B R I T C O M E D Y D I G E S T
==================================
VOL. II CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT December 15, 1995
No. 6
A monthly electronic newsletter on British comedies.
What's Inside:
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* The Results of The British Comedy Awards
* BD's Second Annual Christmas Television Guide
Staff
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Managing Editor..................Melinda 'Bob' Casino
Co-Editor........................Michelle Street
Copy Editor......................Cynthia Edwards
__________________________________________________________________________
Britcomedy Digest (ISSN 1077-6680) Copyright (c) 1995, 1996 by Melinda
Casino. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if
this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited
without permission from the Editor.
__________________________________________________________________________
Puttin' on the Ritz --
The Performance of the Presenters
At the 1995 British Comedy Awards
=================================
This year, the British Comedy Awards chose for its theme, "The Glories of
Ancient Rome." Or, as host Jonathan Ross put it, "The glories of Ancient
Wome." (He was later to receive some feeble ribbing from MP John Redwood, to
which he retorted, "That was a wancourous thing to say, sir!")
Really, the theme should have been "Hollywood in the UK." Not only did the
show resemble the Oscars more this year in its presentation and feel, but
the stars were out in full force. Lauren Hutton gave the award for "Top
Channel 4 Entertainment Presenter," and Liza Minnelli pleased the audience
by singing a tribute to Bruce Forsythe, who won the "Lifetime Achievement in
Variety" award.
Other comedy greats honored were Peter Cook, whose posthumous award
acceptance speech was given via satellite by Dudley Moore; and Bob
Monkhouse, who was this year's recipient of "The Lifetime Achievement
Award." And the long-standing "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" won for "Best
Radio Comedy."
WOSS GWEAT HOST
If you could get beyond the speech impediment, the sexy Jonathan Ross did a
marvelous job of moving the show along and quickly dispatching
guest-presenters who intentionally gave him a hard time (e.g. Freddie Star).
He couldn't rein in Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, though: they upstaged and
distracted poor Martin Clunes, who won the first award that night, for "Top
Television Comedy Actor." Eventually, Martin had to cut his speech short due
to Reeves' and Mortimer's lack of decorum (and who is surprised? next time,
just invite the blonde).
Speaking of lack of decorum, Michael Barrymore brought down the house by
literally hanging around with Jonathan Ross after he had collected the "Best
ITV Entertainment Presenter" award. In no time at all, he'd climbed a Roman
column and unplugged Jonathan Ross's auto-cue machine, at which point the
program cut to commercials. Once back, Barrymore quickly disappeared into
the audience upon hearing that Freddie Star was the next presenter.
Angus Deayton presented the Writer's Guild Award for "Top Television Comedy
Writer" (which went jointly to Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton) in one of the
most memorable short speeches of the night. Well ... I couldn't give you any
definite quotes, but it *was* very funny. Really.
When Noel Edmonds was announced as the winner of the "Top BBC Entertainment
Presenter," there was an audible "awww" of disappointment from the audience.
It was the second year in a row he had won the prize, and he was up against
favorites Frank Skinner and Jim Davidson. Luckily, no Mr. Blobby this year.
SAYING IT WITH STYLE
The most interesting aspect of the ceremony was a chance to see what kind of
acceptance speech the comedians would give. Spontaneous? Pompous?
Blubbering? Alas, no one cried that night ... well, at least Hollywood still
has one more trick to teach the UK... :)
Britcomedy Digest gives the "I'm a Real Person" medal to twice-nominated Jo
Brand who, after winning "Best Stand-Up Comedy," delivered a raspberry to
all those who didn't support her when she was struggling. The other award
she was nominated for, "Best Female Comedy Performer," went to Victoria Wood
for "Live in Your Own Home."
Jack Dee seemed downright disgusted as he gave his surly acceptance speech
for "Top TV Personality." That perfect scowl he wore was no doubt what
earned him the award in the first place... And Carolyn Quinton got a laugh
when, after accepting the award for "Best Television Comedy Actress," she
said, "I feel badly, because I didn't get you anything."
SOLEMN MOMENT QUICKLY DISSIPATED
The most solemn moment of the night occurred when Archbishop Desmond Tutu
was announced as the presenter for "Best Television Comedy/Drama."
The applause that followed was the longest of the night, as audience members
were reminded of pressing world issues that, perhaps, put the comedy awards
in *too much* perspective for a moment. However, the threat of the
atmosphere becoming sober was quelled by Jonathan Ross, who added some
levity by questioning whether one is supposed to address an archbishop as
"my Grace" or "Your Grace." (It's "Your Grace," just in case you didn't know.)
###
THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 1995 BRITISH COMEDY AWARDS
------------------------------------------------
The following are the nominations and winners for each of the 23 awards.^
A * appears next to the recipient of the award.
The nominations were made by TV and film companies, radio stations, and
theatre and comedy club managements throughout in the United Kingdom. The
judges consisted of members of The Writer's Guild of Great Britain and a
jury of top executives for all of the comedy fields represented.
_______________________________________________________________
Top TV Comedy Actor:
* Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly)
Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave)
Robert Daws (Outside Edge)
Top BBC Entertainment Presenter:
* Noel Edmonds (Noel Edmonds' House Party)
Jim Davidson (Jim Davidson's Generation Game)
Frank Skinner (The Frank Skinner Show)
Best Female Comedy Performer:
* Victoria Wood (Live in Your Own Home)
Jo Brand (Jo Brand: Through the Christmas Cakehole)
Caroline Hook (The Mrs. Merton Show)
Best ITV Entertainment Presenter:
* Michael Barrymore (Barrymore)
Cilla Black (Blind Date)
Clive James (The Clive James Show)
Top Television Comedy Actress:
* Caroline Quenton (Men Behaving Badly)
Annette Crosby (One Foot in the Grave)
Josie Lawrence (Outside Edge)
Best Radio Comedy:
* I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
Harry Hill's Fruit Corner
People Like Us
Top Channel 4 Entertainment Presenter:
* Chris Evans (Don't Forget Your Toothbrush)
Antoine de Caunes/Jean-Paul Gaultier (Eurotrash)
Gaby Roslin (The Big Breakfast)
Best BBC Sitcom:
* One Foot in the Grave
Absolutely Fabulous
Men Behaving Badly
Lifetime Achievement Award:
* Bob Monkhouse
Best Entertainment Series:
* Don't Forget Your Toothbrush
Barrymore
The Fantasy Football League
Best Television Comedy/Drama:
* Preston Front
Eleven Men Against Eleven
Outside Edge
Top Television Personality:
* Jack Dee
Billy Connolly
Lee Evans
Best ITV Sitcom:
* Is It Legal?
Surgical Spirit
Time after Time
Writer's Guild Award for Top Television Comedy Writer:
* Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton
Best Television Comedy Newcomer:
* Ardal O'Hanlon (Father Ted)
Harry Hill (Fruit Stand)
A woman from "Vicar of Dibley"+
Best Television Comedy Film:
* Bullets Over Broadway
Pulp Fiction
Muriel's Wedding
Best Comedy:
* Rory Bremner... Who Else?
Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge
The Mrs. Merton Show
Best Channel 4 Sitcom:
* Drop the Dead Donkey
Father Ted
Desmond's
Posthumous Award for British Comedy:
* Peter Cook
Best Stand-Up Comedian:
* Jo Brand
Alan Davies
Bob Monkhouse
Best New Television Comedy:
* Father Ted (Hat Trick Productions/Channel 4)
The World of Lee Evans (Granada TV/Channel 4)
Is it Legal? (Carlton UK TV)
Top Male Comedy Performer:
* John Bird and John Fortune (The Long Johns)
Steve Coogan (Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge)
Rory Bremner (Rory Bremner... Who Else?)
Lifetime Achievement in Variety:
* Bruce Forsyth
________________________________________________________________
^ Radio Times listed 22 awards, however, I believe that the award for
Peter Cook was specially created and added to the regular awards.
+ Sorry.
###
BRITCOMEDY DIGEST'S CHRISTMAS TELEVISION GUIDE!
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Christmas Day -- you've stuffed yourself with turkey, caught up on all the
latest family news... now what do you do? Afterall, there are only so many
times you can ask Aunt Margy about her hip operation...
We recommend a holiday film or special to keep everyone entertained. BD's
Christmas Television Guide highlights the best and the brightest British
comedy programs airing in the UK. (Although we *did* include a nod to Noel
Edmond's "Telly Addicts Christmas Special"... ;)
The Guide includes Christmas specials and films, as well as a dose of some
regularly scheduled programs that may be of interest. Happy viewing!
WEDNESDAY 20
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10:00 PM Victoria Wood - As Seen On TV
BBC 2
Comedy series from 1986 showcases Victoria Wood's talents.
10:30 PM Carry On Matron
Sidney James, Kenneth Williams and Joan Simms star in this
1972 comedy movie.
10:55 PM The Dame Edna Christmas Experience
Channel 4
Dame Edna Everage invites victims Roger Moore and Lulu on to
her chat show.
12:00 Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Channel 4
The whole gang is here, including Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes,
in this 1982 live performance. A must for Python fans!
2:05 AM My Learned Friend
Channel 4
Black humor in this 1943 Ealing comedy, starring Will Hay and
Mervyn Jones.
THURSDAY 21
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10:20 PM Carry On Columbus
BBC 1
Peter Richardson and Jim Dale star in this Carry On film, set
in 1492.
FRIDAY 22
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6:35 PM Creature Comforts
Channel 4
Another Oscar-winning animation from Nick Park. Zoo animals
are interviewed about their housing conditions.
9:00 PM The Best Red Dwarf Ever!
BBC 2
Whichever episode of this sci-fi/comedy classic gets the most
votes will be shown in this slot. Email your vote to
<yef@bbcnc.org.uk> by Wednesday December 20.
9:30 PM Coogan's Run
BBC 2
Last in the six-part series. "The Curator" showcases Steve
Coogan's newest creation, "Tim Fleck," museum curator.
Clive Anderson Talks Back
Channel 4
Rapid-fire chat show host Clive Anderson and guests.
10:00 PM Have I Got News For You: the Best of 1995
BBC 2
Highlights of the last series. Paul Merton, Angus Deayton, and
Ian Hislop.
10:10 PM Sean Hughes is Thirty Somehow
Channel 4
Comedian Sean Hughes does stand-up at London's Riverside
Studios. Recorded on his 30th birthday.
11:10 PM Fantasy Football League
BBC 2
Frank Skinner and David Baddiel create their own football world,
with the help of Angus Deayton and others.
SATURDAY 23
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6:00 PM Jim Davidson's Generation Game
BBC 1
Jim Davidson and Sally Meen host this Christmas special.
7:00 PM All the Best for Christmas
BBC 1
Classic comedy moments from the BBC archives. Includes magic
moments from Lenny Henry, Tony Hancock, and "One Foot in the
Grave." Hosted by Mike Yarwood.
10:55 PM Have I Got News For You: the Best of 1995
BBC 2
Repeat of Friday's show.
SUNDAY 24 CHRISTMAS EVE
-----------------------
4:25 PM The Adventures of Mole
Channel 4
Yet another animated adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's "Wind In
The Willows." Featuring the voices of Peter Davison, Richard
Briers, Hugh Laurie and the late Paul Eddington.
6:15 PM Wallace and Gromit in "A Close Shave"
BBC 2
The much-anticipated newest Nick Park animated film featuring
Wallace and his lovable dog, Gromit.
7:15 PM The Last of the Summer Wine
BBC 1
"A Leg Up for Christmas" stars Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, and
Brian Wilde. Written by Roy Clarke.
8:15 PM 2 Point 4 Children
BBC 1
"Porky's." The Porter family have a problem with Dave, the
pig due for slaughter for Christmas.
"You've Been Framed" Christmas Special
ITV
Jeremy Beadle presents humorous moments in home video.
8:45 PM P.G. Wodehouse's "Heavy Weather"
BBC 1
This Wodehouse adaptation stars Peter O'Toole, Richard Briers,
Judy Parfitt, Richard Johnson, Sarah Badel, Roy Hudd and David
Bamber. Highly recommended.
The Mrs. Merson Show
BBC 2
Caroline Hook hosts her Christmas chat show. Recently nominated
for a British Comedy Award.
9:15 PM Three Fights, Two Weddings and a Funeral
BBC 2
Highly recommended comedy starring Steve Coogan in the guise of
Paul and his sister Pauline Calf.
9:50 PM Bottom
BBC 2
Repeat: "Holy." Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson star as "Richie"
and "Eddie," two loathesome flatmates who try to make the
best out of their tawdry Christmas celebrations.
10:35 PM Morecambe and Wise
BBC 1
Repeat of the 1975 Christmas special. Diana Rigg, Gordon
Jackson and Des O'Connor guest-star.
11:40 PM Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Channel 4
Highlights and out-takes from some of the best moments in
this improvised comedy series. Tony Slattery, Ryan Stiles,
Steve Frost, Josie Lawrence, Greg Proops, and Caroline Quentin
star.
MONDAY 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
-----------------------
1:55 PM Only Fools and Horses
BBC 1
A repeat of the 1992 Christmas special. Starring David Jason and
Nicholas Lyndhurst.
3:15 PM Heroes of Comedy
Channel 4
Documentary highlights the best of British stand-up comedy. This
episode features Tony Hancock, Frankie Howerd, Benny Hill, Les
Dawson, Morecambe and Wise, Paul Merton and Victoria Wood.
5:05 PM The Wind in the Willows
ITV Carlton
Animated feature with the voices of Alan Bennett (Mole),
Michael Palin (Rat), and Rik Mayall (Mr. Toad).
6:45 PM Auntie's Brand New Bloomers
BBC 1
8:00 PM Keeping Up Appearances
BBC 1
Hyacinth Boo-kay organizes an historical pagent. Starring Patricia
Routledge and Clive Swift.
9:00 PM One Foot in the Grave
BBC 1
"The Wisdom of the Witch": Tarot cards and Victor Meldrew don't
mix well. Annette Crosby and Richard Wilson.
TUESDAY 26 BOXING DAY
---------------------
9:25 AM Mole's Christmas
ITV Carlton
Animated film with the voices of Peter Davison and Imelda
Staunton.
1:20 PM The Two Ronnies
BBC 1
Repeat of the 1987 Christmas show starring Ronnie Barker
and Ronnie Corbett. Guests: Charlton Heston and Elton John.
8:00 PM Goodnight Sweetheart
BBC 1
Romantic comedy featuring Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Michael Barrymore's My Kind of People
ITV Carlton
Showcase for "talented" young performers.
8:50 PM The Thin Blue Line
BBC 1
"Yuletide Spirit": Christmas mishaps with one of the most
incompetent police stations in Britain.
9:00 PM A to Z of ATV
BBC 2
Memorable clips from 25 years of ATV scheduling, including
"Morecambe and Wise" and "Sunday Night at the Palladium."
10:00 PM The Hour of the Pig
BBC 2
Film premiere of a comedy starring "Mr. Darcy," a.k.a.
Colin Firth.
11:05 PM Just For Laughs
Channel 4
Stand-up comedy from the Montreal comedy festival hosted by
Frank Skinner. Includes 1995 Perrier Award nominee Boothby
Graffoe, and Margaret Smitral.
11:25 PM Clockwise
BBC 1
1986 comedy film starring John Cleese and Alison Steadman.
11:35 PM Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Channel 4
Highlights from the last series of improvised comedy. Josie
Lawrence, Greg Proops, and Caroline Quentin all make appearances.
WEDNESDAY 27
------------
6:00 PM Wallace and Gromit in "The Wrong Trousers"
BBC 2
Oscar award-winning Nick Park animation.
9:00 PM The Likely Lads
BBC 2
Christmas Special.
10:50 PM Sorry About Last Night
BBC 1
Not to be confused with the movie "About Last Night..." this
features Alexei Sayle and Siobhan Redmond as the couple on a
date from hell.
11:00 PM Leon the Pig Farmer
Channel 4
Low-budget British comedy film. Brian Glover, Annette Crosby,
and Connie Booth are among the cast.
11:40 PM Carry On Dick
BBC 1
Another Carry On film.
THURSDAY 28
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1:45 PM The Bishop's Wife
Channel 4
Classic Christmas film from 1947 not to be missed. Starring
Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young.
6:00 PM Wallace and Gromit in "A Grand Day Out"
BBC 2
It's a trip to the moon for cheese in this animated Nick Park
short.
6:30 PM Telly Addicts Christmas Special
BBC 1
Noel Edmonds hosts this TV quiz show. The teams are: John Inman,
Frank Thornton, Wendy Richard and Nicholas Smith (all from "Are
You Being Served?") against Blue Peter's Valarie Singleton,
John Noakes, Peter Duncan and Janet Ellis.
7:00 PM Back to School, Mr. Bean
ITV Carlton
Mr. Bean creates havoc at an adult education center on its
open day.
8:00 PM Fierce and Gentle Creatures
Channel 4
John Cleese examines animal conservation at a zoo in New Jersey.
Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis, who feature in Cleese's
upcoming movie, "Fierce Creatures," join him.
8:30 PM The Lenny Henry Christmas Show
BBC 1
Stand-up comedy and sketches from Lenny Henry. Guests include
Wallace and Gromit, Chris Eubank, and Trevor McDonald.
9:00 PM Much Ado About Nothing
BBC 2
1993 film directed and featuring Kenneth Branagh. Emma Thompson,
Richard Briers, Michael Keaton, Denzel Washington, Brian
Blessed, and Keanu Reeves are cast in one of the better
adaptations of a Shakespeare comedy.
9:30 PM Billy Connolly: a Scot in the Arctic
BBC 1
For some reason, this series asks stars to fend for themselves
on desert islands or camp out in the Arctic -- and they agree.
This episode spies on Billy Connolly as he copes with wind
and snow.
10:20 PM They Think It's All Over
BBC 1
Nick Hancock and gang look at sports clips and test each
other's trivia knowledge in this locker-room quiz show.
Mel Smith and Allan Lamb guest-star.
11:25 PM True Identity
ITV Carlton
Film; Lenny Henry stars in this 1991 comedy.
12:15 AM Carry On Behind
BBC 1
In this Carry On installment, Elke Sommer and Kenneth Williams
go on an archeological dig.
FRIDAY 29
---------
9:00 PM Reeves and Mortimer: XMas Shooting Stars
BBC 2
Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer host this celebrity quiz show.
9:30 PM Rory Bremner, Apparently
Channel 4
Rory Bremner gets a little help from John Bird and John Fortune
in this variety program.
9:40 PM Knowing Me, Knowing Yule... with Alan Partridge
BBC 2
"Alan Partridge" (alias Steeve Coogan) throws a Christmas party
at his Norfolk home.
11:05 PM Eurotrash Christmas Special
Channel 4
Comedy starring Jean-Paul Gaultier and Antoine de Caunes.
11:35 PM Lily Savage Live: Paying the Rent
Channel 4
Female impersonator's one ... er ... person show from the 1993
London Fortune Theatre performance.
###
__________________________________________________________________________
etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc
__________________________________________________________________________
Snack on crumpets and plum duff at Mrs. Miggins' Coffee Shop -- feast on
Waldorf salad and ratatouille at Fawlty Towers -- and consume Toad in the
Hole and Bubble and Squeak at The Grace Brothers Cafeteria!
It's all cookin' at Lady Jane Pottle's BRITISH COMEDY FOOD PAGE:
http://www.wp.com/Hirsane/food.html
Send recipes/comments to Laurel Tryforos: <ltryforo@acfsysv.roosevelt.edu>
__________________________________________________________________________
CIRCULATION/SUBSCRIPTIONS:
==========================
Britcomedy Digest (ISSN 1077-6680) is a free electronic newsletter posted
monthly to alt.comedy.british and rec.arts.tv.uk.comedy.
DELPHI: In the "UK-American Connexion" forum, cf 171.
GENIE: In the "Showbiz" roundtable, page 185.
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