Friday 11 December 2009

Youtube Comedy Sweepstake

This is the first of a series of "sweepstake" posts, to primarily "wet your whistle" for what is in store, each focusing on a different genre:

Whose Line Is It Anyway? Season 1 Episode 1

Due to it being part of "4 on Demand" the video is unembeddable(that a word?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2n_21cMCfM

I've just recently discovered the huge wealth of selection, concerning the brand new ability to watch full shows (without being split into 10 min sections) thanks to Channel 4 working in accordance with Youtube. I'm impressed, as the full 1st season of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", the classic comedy improvisation show, on a shoe-string budget. In this first episode from 1988, Clive Anderson is understandably nervous, and in the 4 leather chairs are Archie Hahn, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton & John Sessions. It's a pretty good episode, but my main attention goes to Archie Hahn and Paul Merton. Although looking a lot more inexperience being on TV, you still see that bullish persona from Paul Merton his quips are what he's best it, but looks awkward when it comes to physical comedy, well, in this episode at least. And Archie Hahn, whatever happened to him? When i see him i think "Spinal Tap", "Police Academy 5" and Tv series "Eerie Indiana", but that's from all years and years ago. Also, in his very short Wikipedia description, some of his last WLIIA episode were infamous for him bringing false teeth and castanets to the show. Anyone know why it was so infamous?

Alf Garnett on the British Empire



Tory supporting Alf Garnett talks up the British Empire emblazoning hang-up pictures of Churchill and the Queen Victoria and blasting the Labour government. Probably no different from today, somewhere? But still, changed days indeed. However, you know you can't take the man seriously, as his vitriol is the whole joke of the show. He always gets his comeuppance in the end.



The Gem in the pudding. Fiddles me tiddles! A rare stage sketch starring Wilfred Brambell and Harry H. Corbett. Corbett looking unusually dressed up in suit and bow tie as Harold Steptoe, as they prepare to bathe in the sun and some golf later, in this sketch, appropiately staged in Blackpool.

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