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Last up in our favorite British comedy couple poll – Nora Batty & Compo

Bill Young — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:00:54 +0000

Kathy Staff (Nora Batty) and Bill Owen (Compo) have been with Last of the Summer Wine from the beginning when it was created in 1973 for the BBC series, Comedy Playhouse. It’s a little ironic that the world’s longest running sitcom is about a group of elderly “adolescents” in the twilight of their lives wandering the Yorkshire countryside, but Summer Wine has endured real-life ups and downs of ill-health, character departure and, ultimately, the death of both Bill Owen and Kathy Staff.

Brilliantly written by one man, Roy Clarke, the series was also a breath of fresh air in that it was one of only a handful, if not the only one at the time, that showed the great English countryside and wasn’t all set in a studio. Should you find yourself within shouting distance of the town of Holmfirth in the future, take the tour, it’s fun. Click here for info.

In the meantime, think about couple #14 – Nora Batty and Compo. How can you not? See how well they get on?

Don’t forget to go to the polls tomorrow and VOTE for your top three British comedy couples of all-time!

Monty Python inadvertently causes Pub evacuation

Bill Young — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:00:33 +0000

Ok, I know this happened some time back, but it’s just too good to let go by. Seems as though a pub is East London was evacuated in early 2009 and a bomb disposal unit was called in to investigate a suspicious looking object in the corner of the pub. As reported in the London Evening Standard, it turned out to be merely the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Fortunately, it was quickly determined that there was no immediate danger as there were no rabbits in the immediate area, Brother Maynard was no where to be found and no one counted to three, not four and not two, unless you are on your way to three. Even I can’t make this up.

For those of you that don’t remember thy Holy Hand Grenade or just need a MP fix over the weekend, happy viewing.

End of the World as We Know It?

Bill Young — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:00:47 +0000

As reported by BBC News, well-known British comedian/writer/presenter, Stephen Fry, announced Saturday that he is leaving the world of Twitter behind and ceasing communication with the outside world to concentrate on the next installment of his autobiography.

If you haven’t read his “first” volume, Moab is My Washpot, published in 1997, you have until probably Fall 2010 as he is set to deliver volume two to the publisher by April.

In the meantime, you can read and/or watch Stephen Fry in America on many public television stations nationwide beginning this month. Fry climbs in a London Black Cab and travels the U.S. visiting all 50 states. KERA Channel 13 will broadcast the 6-part series Mondays at 9:00pm CT beginning Monday, January 18. Great book, great series.

Yes Minister invades the Ukraine. No, really.

Bill Young — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:30:18 +0000

Following in the footsteps of Turkey, India and the Netherlands, the Ukraine has decided that given its’ democratic independence that began in the 90’s, the time is right to showcase the political opportunism and backroom manipulation that can sometimes go with democracy. What better place to turn than England and a 30-year old series that, to this day, is still writing perfection. Inter TV, Ukraine’s national broadcaster, has bought the rights to create its’ own version of the immensely popular seriesYes Minister, which starred Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne as Jim Hacker and, Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, respectively.

Still recognized today as one of the most influential sitcoms of all time, Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister have proved one thing, if anything, over the years. “Bureaucracy is the same everywhere”, states Jonathan Lynn, co-writer of the original series with Antony Jay, adding that “frustration with politicians is universal”.

And, if only Sir Humphrey were around to explain foreign policy today. Enjoy.

The Prisoner – I am NOT a number!

Bill Young — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:45:31 +0000

With yet another unsettling American re-make looming on the horizon this Sunday on, as they say, another network, I thought it only fitting to pay tribute to one of the all-time classic series from the 60’s, or for that matter, anytime — THE PRISONER.

Created by and starring Patrick McGoohan as No. 6, the series tracks a British secret agent who is held captive in “The Village”, run by No. 2, who desperately needs to know why he resigned his position. Just to add to the complexity of the series, the identity of No. 2 changed from week to week. Numerous well-known actors had guest roles in the series including Leo McKern (Rumpole of the Bailey), Peter Bowles (To the Manor Born) and Paul Eddington (Good Life and Yes, Minister).

Originally broadcast during 1967-68 and even counting The Beatles as avid fans, this brilliant series’ location filming was done mostly in Portmeirion in North Wales. If you’re packing your bags, that’s 1 and 1/2 miles south of Porthmadog and 1 and 1/2 miles west of Penrhyndeudraeth, just off the main road at Minffordd. Should be easy enough for you to find with these parameters, don’t you think?

The cool thing about Portmeirion is that it still remains today true to “the village” look of the series. The surreal architecture and Mediterranean feel of the village was the vision of Welsh architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who acquired the desolate coastal village in 1926 for 5,000 pounds. You can stay at the Portmeirion Hotel, stroll through gardens and dine in numerous restaurants.If you decide to leave, however, make sure you know just where the bouncing ball is. Kind of like Hotel California. You can checkout any time you like but you can never leave. Or maybe the Overlook?

I remember the first time I watched the series in its’ entirety, I sat there with a “WTH” look on my face wondering what just happened during the 17 episodes I had just seen. Even though it was created over 40 years ago, it has stood the test of time and remains one of the best series ever made. I’ll try and watch the remake beginning this Sunday, but even with Ian McKellen as No. 2, I don’t know. I hope they prove me wrong.

And you thought the UK wasn’t funny

Bill Young — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:28:47 +0000

Next time you travel to the UK, take a break from the pubs and think about a comedy tour of England, which boasts not only numerous birthplaces of your favorite Britcom stars, but you can quickly check out places like Yorkshire, home to the longest-running sitcom on television, Last of the Summer Wine. You can actually tour Holmfirth in West Yorkshire and see all of your favorite locations including the world famous, Sid’s Cafe.

South West England

Here you will be in the heart of the settings for Fawlty Towers (Torquay) and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. South West England also proudly was home to local comedy heroes such as Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and British comedy pioneer, Peter Cook. You can also see the home of To The Manor Born (Cricket St. Thomas estate in Somerset), Grantleigh Manor. Turned into a hotel several years ago, you can actually live the life of a fforbes-Hamilton, for a price.

The Midlands

England’s smallest county, Rutland, was the inspiration for Eric Idle’s Rutland Weekend Television. If that’s not enough to get you to the Midlands, how about visiting the setting for The League of Gentleman or Northampton, the setting for Keeping Up Appearances.

South East England

Not only does this area boast such local comedy heroes as Hugh Laurie, Eddie Izzard, Benny Hill, Michael Palin and Peter Sellers, it’s also the setting for The Good Life (The Good Neighbors in the U.S.) and The Office in Slough, Berkshire.

You won’t be able to find the World’s Largest Frying Pan or the World’s Biggest Ball of String, but you can attend the World Gurning Championships (it’s best you figure out what this is as you have to see it to believe it) and see the only statue in the world of Eric Morecambe (I know, I was shocked to hear this too).

Check out this map of England if you want a more off the beaten path tour of the UK next time around.