At this stage TV ratings were published with only the Network Top 20, meaning programmes on the minority channel of BBC2 were extremely unlikely to feature. The release of Top 10s per channel began in 1981.
However, The Stage (21st February 1980) reported that the average rating for this third series was 6.3 million.
However, The Stage (21st February 1980) reported that the average rating for this third series was 6.3 million.
During Des's interview with Tom Dreesen, some of his "laughter" seems fake, with spoken "ha ha" sounds and silent laughter, his mouth opening but no sound coming out. While seemingly done as an act of politeness (and Des would have been aware of at least the majority of the material during rehearsals) it's unusually unconvincing for the host.
A fair chunk of Tom Dreesen's material is recycled from his previous appearance in the first series, including routines about his religious background, hand-me-downs from his sister and being from a poor family. This would also explain why Des seemingly felt the need to force his laughter during their interview, given that he'd heard many of the same jokes two years earlier.