Comedians series

The quintessential quickfire stand-up comedy show, The Comedians is one of the great successes of ITV1 - lasting from 1971 until 1993 and making household names of many of its stars. With routines that were honed to perfection in the hard-knock territory of Northern working men's clubs, Frank Carson, Charlie Williams, Bernard Manning, Colin Crompton and Ken Goodwin all became masters of the one-liner and the knowing wink. The Comedians was immediately popular with the viewing public scoring high ratings and gaining a BAFTA nomination for Best Light Entertainment Programme. It lasted for eleven series and several specials over twenty-two years. This specially-created compilation from its early years contains some of the best moments from series one.      

Massively successful comedians Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball return in this hilarious third series. Years on the Northern cabaret circuit enabled them to hone their act for this ratings-winning show, making them household names and beloved by millions. A mixture of sketches, spectacular variety entertainment and a wealth of guest stars ensured this highly popular series ran for many years. Enjoy more good-natured comedy capers with the dynamic double act and their guests including Lulu, Canadian singing star Anne Murray, and former Animal Alan Price.    

In 1971, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett teamed up for their first BBC series, a comedy show that would run for 16 years and become part of British television history. The two comedians. although never previously a double-act, complemented each other perfectly in appearance and style and their material, written by some of the top comic writers of the era, rarely failed to raise a smile and reduced many to hysterics. The structure of each show, framed by the pair reading spoof news items, soon became familiar to the millions of viewers. Every episode might include party, doctor or other situation sketches, mock-adventure serials, regular musical guests, Ronnie Barker's magnificent word-play speeches, a rambling monologue from Ronnie Corbett, guest cabaret acts and a musical extravaganza finale. Each part savoured by audiences that would average around 17 million at the show's peak. The first series was broadcast in 1971. Among the many highlights of the eight episodes were the 'Bald Man at a Party' sketch, a sequel to the famous 'Class' sketch with John Cleese, the period drama mini-series 'Hampton Wick', Ronnie Barker's 'Appeal on Behalf of the Very Clumsy' and musical appearances from Big Jim Jehosophat and Fat-Belly Jones.