"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

Color:

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

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 The 100 Greatest Kids TV Shows (2001) (TV)

Elvis Costello & Robbie Coltrane

Many episodes of 'The Comic Strip Presents' were parodies of specific films or TV shows, or parodies of film/TV genres. The episode transmitted 3 November 1984 was titled 'The Bullsh**ters', and it's an hilarious parody of the ITV action series 'The Professionals' in particular and thick-ear matey action shows in general.

The crime-fighting partners in 'The Professionals' were named Bodie and Doyle, so here in 'The Bullsh**ters' we have Keith Allen and Peter Richardson (both of whom also wrote the script) as Bonehead and Foyle, taking orders from their commanding officer, hilariously played by Robbie Coltrane. Bodie and Doyle, of course, had an expensive car with all sorts of gizmos ... but Bonehead and Foyle have to make do with bus passes as they rush from headquarters to their deadly missions.

Coltrane has one very funny set-piece routine, in which he shows Bonehead and Foyle the proper way for a TV action hero to get into a car. Elvis Costello is also funny in a brief turn as a deaf man. Alana Pellay and Jimmy Fagg (don't ask) play themselves.