BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:45 PM

Can any of the UK Mudcatters (or anyone) please tell me the name of the British sitcom that took place in a hospital, with the characters being a group of young internes and their boss? It was shown on PBS a couple of years before Monty Python came to the US, and it was good, I thought. It set the stage for the later brilliance of Python. I remember an episode where the internists were singing a parody called "Green Grow The Patients-O" sung to the tune of, well, you know what. Just can't remember the name of this show. I think it was shown in the UK around 1968. Did "Police Squad" ever make it to the UK? It was broadcasted in 1982, I believe, and only ran for six episodes before it was cancelled. It was some of the funniest comedy ever produced on US television, but was probably too offbeat for the top brass. It starred Leslie Neilson, and served as the prototype for the Naked Gun movies. If you see it in the video stores, snatch it up.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: alison
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:42 PM

Jayohjo & Ritchie... are you local?????

(there is a web site for League of Gentlemen complete with sound files, just search for "Royston Vasey"... I thought the series was great.. but most Aussies, who I spoke to, didn't get the humour,

Father Ted is wonderful (it has a web site too)... I think they get it in Canada... as well

so they changed the name of "the Good Life" to "Good Neighbours" in the US??? still got Margo and Tom? did they change the actors too? (Richard Briers, Penelope Keith, Felicity Kendall (winner of several "sexiest bum on TV awards",) and Paul Eddington)

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: SDShad
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:50 PM

Spaw, you are a man of most excellent taste. I dearly wish they'd bring back "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin," and it's rare to run into another Yank who's even heard of it.

And I can still work up a pretty good laugh just at the memory of the brownie episode...Fish as "super-cop"...anybody seen my legs? They're about this long...Barney, Barney, is your mother from Killarney....

hee, hee.

My favorite bits, though, were the "Dietrich Moments":

FBI Agent: Detective Dietrich, we could really use a man like you at the Bureau.

Dietrich: I appreciate the interest, but I just don't think I could work for a man like J. Edgar Hoover.

Agent: Uhm...Mr. Hoover's not with the bureau any longer; he died several years ago.

Dietrich: Oh. .... So that's what they've been telling you....

So Dorrie, which of the Britcoms that we've seen over here would you say aren't considered lame over there? Obviously I've thought Reggie Perrin was marvelous, and I think Blackadder (esp. III), Yes Minister, AbFab, Fawlty Towers, and some other hold up quite well as sitcoms.

Chris

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Callie
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:37 PM

My father thought the Young Ones was really obscene, but he cried himself laughing over "Bottom". Go figure!

I worked at Grace Brothers in Sydney in my student days. English travellers would always ask for extra plastic bags with the Grace Bros name on it. They thought it was hilarious that we actually HAD a Grace Bros store and they didn't!

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Brendy
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:15 PM

Excellent show, Kevin!

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:08 PM

"And isn't it ironic that a request lyric thread drops out after 9 over two weeks and this gets over 70 in two days!! " But did the requested lyric turn up? Probably yes, in my experience.

Nostalgic rabbiting, well that can go on for ever, but an adequately answered request tends to wind itself down naturally. It's when the song doesn't turn up quickly that we get the long lyric request threads - stretching over several years sometimes, and coming back from the dead every now and again till bingo, here come that song at last.

Back up there I mentioned TV critics - the English ones are always saying the English shows are rubbish, and the American ones are great. Does it work the other way in the States?

The only American sit-coms that have ever really got through to me were the early seasons of Roseanne and Frasier. They are the only ones I'd specifically look out for.

But one programme noone's mentioned which I remember with affection (for the music as much as anything) was "The Irish RM".

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Brendy
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 08:38 PM

I saw Rowan Atkinson's 'one-man show' in the Grand Opera House in Belfast in around 1981. He referred to himself as "That rubber-faced twat from... that programme: Not Now Nationwide, or something"

We have BBC 'Prime' over here as well as the World Service Tv on cable. But one of the local TV stations are doing re-runs of the complete Monty Python's Flying Circus, at the minute. We've had Bally K and Father Ted (the subtitles were interesting, to say the least).

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: jayohjo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 06:11 PM

Hurray! Very late to this thread, but am pleased to see at least one other person in the world loves League of Gentlemen! Fantastic in itself anyway (though definitely NOT to everyone's taste) but was filmed over the hill from me, and yes, people in yorkshire villages really are like that, trust me. This is a local shop for local people, we'll have no trouble here....

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Bert
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:33 PM

And don't overlook the fact that 'Brahms' is Ryming slang.

Brahms and Liszt = Pissed - which means drunk.

And doesn't anyone remember 'allo, 'allo?

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:15 PM

Not that I know of...I knew that Rowan was in Black Adder, with you know who else? Hugh Laurie, also known as Bertie Wooster in Jeeves & Wooster.

--Matt (What ho what ho what ho, what?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Jon W.
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 05:05 PM

Has anyone mentioned that Mr Bean and Black Adder are played by the same actor - Rowan Scarborough - which is really amazing when you think about it. Wasn't he in Monty Python too?

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Kim C
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 04:28 PM

They used to show Dave Allen here locally late at night, years ago. I loved him! Always preferred him to Benny Hill. I guess because he seemed like such a bad boy.......

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 04:18 PM

What about the sequel to 'Porridge' which was 'Going Straight'? It featured a very young actor whose only line was "have you seen my bicycle pump?" He went on to be Nicholas Lyndhurst - yes he of 'Butterflies' and 'Only Fools & horses.....' Scary.

And isn't it ironic that a request lyric thread drops out after 9 over two weeks and this gets over 70 in two days!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 04:15 PM

Also, Shaun Davey wrote the theme music for BallyK. Shaun is one of my favorite composers ever. He also did the soundtracks to "Waking Ned Devine" and the upcoming "David Copperfield" as well as the classic Liam O'Flynn collaborations The Brendan Voyage and Granuaille. He also wrote some cool tunes like "Gynt On The Gate" that Liam plays, and his newest work...the simply MINDBLOWING The Pilgrim about Ireland's St.Columcille (St.Columba). The finale "A' Ghrian" is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard!

--Matt

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 04:06 PM

Ballykissangel - in my opinion it is one of the best programs I've ever seen - American or British or what have you. Great writing, outstanding ensemble cast, and an all around terrific production!

To tie this back to folk music - Paddy Maloney's daughter had a role in several episodes!!

I understand the BBC has a cable network here in the U.S. but I do not know anyone who receives it. Anyone out there have this on their cable system?

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:54 PM

Yes, boys, that Wendy Richard is one fine figure of a woman! // Got to break now and fix myself a Bacon Butty! == Johnny in OKC

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Banjo Johnny
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:45 PM

Dorrie says, "Most of these are consisdered pretty lame over here in England." I suspected as much, since most of them are 20 years old by the time they reach America. However, they do make a change from the majority of moronic drivel created here. Or as Miss Brahms would say, "dead common."

I have seen Mr. Bean several times, and it does seem odd. I recall one brilliant scene where Mr. Bean put on his swimming trunks without removing his trousers, a feat I would have thought impossible!

Thanks for all the great tips on other B.B.C. comedies. I'll be watching for them on our P.B.S. network. Yes, we do have cable TV in Oklahoma, but I am too cheap to pay for it. TV should be free! == Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:38 PM

What about Open all Hours with Ronnie Barker and sorry with Ronnie Corbett or even the two Ronnies which wasn't a Britcom. Rising Damp and The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin... I didn't get where I am today!!! I still crack up when I think of the episode where CJ lost his job and started busking on the street and he was singing, "I didn't get where I am today." Classic stuff. Den

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:16 PM

So, ummm... Am I the only one here who watched Bottom??

LOL!!

{~`

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 03:16 PM

So, ummm... Am I thine only one here who watched Bottom??

LOL!!

{~`

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:14 PM

Always wondered how Beaver Cleaver got past the censors. They must have noticed.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:10 PM

Oh yes, we all knew what pussy meant, and yes, we snickered ourselves sick over it.

And Mr Lucas trod on my foot once.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:06 PM

On Wendy Richard the answer is yes Jed.

Spaw (still crazy after all these years)

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 02:02 PM

didn't Wendy Richard move on to play the Mom in Eastenders?

My favorite among these mentioned are the Blackadder series. "Yes Prime Minister" is a good show too, and I enjoy "Are You Being Served?" from time to time. I've seen most of the other shows mention too, and enjoy them OK.

I have seen Dave Allen a few times, and enjoyed his humor quite a bit. I'm not sue if I saw him here (I don't believe he was ever on regularly in the US) or if I saw a few shows when I was in England.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 01:36 PM

Celticblues,

My bad typing (or lazy grammar) - should have said "like Hamish and Ballykissangel, Heartbeat..."

ie. diferent programme - - Ballykissangel is set in Ireland - first couple of seies were good haven't seen the later productions which had a major change in characters.

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 01:02 PM

Too bad, Spaw. I only date married men whose wives I dislike. Yours seems to be a nice lady. But you can still love me.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:33 PM

Remembere the one where Mr.Good cancels the electricity service, and builds a generator in basement out of wood? That one was a riot!

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:32 PM

I knew I loved you Sins........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:19 PM

Good Neighbors and The Norman Conquests.

Did Good Neighbors really end the series with their home being vandalized by kids? That was the last episode I got here and it broke my heart. Remember Margo with the runty pig? Loved it.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: celticblues5
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 12:18 PM

Oh! Is Heartbeat the same as Ballykissangel, then? We do get that on the BBC - it's called Ballykissangel, though, not Heartbeat.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:53 AM

Celticblues (and others!)

I thought Heartbeat would have made PBS but come to think of it we get it on TVO.

Like Hamish, Balleykissangel, it is set in a small town/village. This time in Yorkshire. Set in the mid-sixties it is about the police force in the Aidensfield. Main policeman is from London originally. Lot of the life is centred around the pub. Greengrass is the village rogue who is always on the con. (A Brit reference - it's weird seeing Derek Fowlds more like Dixon of Dock Green than Basil Brushes's sidekick). The sound track is all 60's pop/rock and roll - eg haven't heard "Bits and Pieces" by the Dave Clark 5 for decades! Hope you can get it sometime.

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:50 AM

The theme song to The Royale Family is "Half The World Away," an acoustic tune by Oasis tune. People who got my tape might remember it...

--Matt

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:40 AM

Of the American imports Taxi was my favourite because in Danny DeVito's character there was always an antidote to the sentimentality that most US comedies end up with,even when they start harder. When all the other characters were being nice and solving their problems he would come in and dump on them!
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Ritchie
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:34 AM

It's funny how one mans meat is another mans poison..

ok choke on these....

The Royal Family ( great characters great lines ) The League of Gentlemen ( but it's only for local people ) Auf Weidershen Pet Boy's from the Blackstuff Bilko Cheers Taxi Soap and the episode of the Vicar of Dibley with the wedding. The Fast Show ( suits you sir ) and Porridge..just a few of my precious things.

regards ritchie

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:32 AM

"Most of these are consisdered pretty lame over here in England" - that's how it goes.

There's a tremendous amount of one-upmanship and snobbbery around concerning these kind of things. Critics are the worst - knock 'em down before someone else does. Then a few years later and they get revived and they are called classics, and the same critics who knocked them will rave about them.

It's the same with movies - it's interestig to see some of the reviews of films which are now universally revered, like "It's a Wonderful Life".

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Kim C
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:30 AM

My best pal is a Bean freak and once in awhile will get her Bean videos out when I go over to her house. Our husbands think he's goofy but we dig him.

I hadn't thought about The Young Ones in about 12 years. We used to watch it on MTV on Sunday nights in the dorm when I got off work from the ice cream shoppe. I still remember Neal and his lentils in the floor. And "Hey guys, I've got an idea......"

I have to confess that Monty Python is really my favorite and our local PBS station doesn't show it anymore. I got to watch it in a hotel in Kentucky one night but I think it was on cable. They did a reenactment of the Boer War which was nothing but old ladies in a parking lot smacking each other with their purses. I thought I was going to die, and Mister had already gone to sleep and nothing would wake him, so he missed it.

For some reason, living history people are really enamored of Monty Python. If you go to a Civil War reenactment, anywhere, and you stand in the middle of the crowd and exclaim, "How do you know she's a witch?" you'll get a chorus of "she turned me into a newt." I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is probably true for Colonial and RenFaire people as well. (Sorcha, can you back me up here?) :)

I have to say, though, that even the Britcoms I don't care for are infinitely more interesting than some of the crap on American TV. (Man, I miss the Carol Burnett Show.)

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: celticblues5
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:26 AM

Rana -

Don't think I caught that Chef. Haven't seen Heartbeat either - I'll keep an eye out for it on the BBC channel. Thanks for the tip! Is it as quirky as MacBeth?

Can't STAND Mr. Bean! The actor who plays him is just downright annoying! :-) I realize that's the point, but still...

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:14 AM

Wait just one durn minnit! We forget MR.BEAN!!! I love that guy!

--Matt (oooh teddy)

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 11:12 AM

Hi Celticblues,

Hamish MacBeth is good, but don't forget Heartbeat - great soundtrack and who can't like Greengrass.

Did you ever see the Chef episode when he is at a competition in Lyon, misplaced his English wine and is going around all the wine cellars asking if they sell the stuff.

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:58 AM

Butterflies was good - the youngest kid went on to be in many later shows, including Only Fool's and Horses. That didn't make it over here (as far as I can see) and I only caught it on visits back to Engald. The main character now appears as the detective - Frost, which I really like. (I missed the first few since I thought it was another Frost called David -"Hello, good-evening and welcome)

Can't say I like Are You being seved - my opinion, but then I never liked Benny Hill either. If people are into double entendre's, I surprised that Frankie Howard hasn't had a mention.

Vicar of Dibley had a few series, I found them good watching once but tedious on repeats. Absolutely Fabulous hasn't been brought up either.

One of the best shows was Drop the Dead Donkey - about a TV news room, very current and certainly put Mary Tyler Moore to shame.

Of the American shows Barney Miller was brilliant (but why isn't it shown syndicated), and I can keep watching Frasier.

All the Ealing comedies are great films, and staying on a nostalgia trip, why don't they show Hancock's Halh Hour?

On a music type theme (though not Folk), the recent Scottish comedy on how to make it in the rock music business (A Young person's guide...?) was good, though flagging in the final 2 episodes.

Well, that's my tastes!

Cheers Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GUEST,Giac, not at home
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:52 AM

The ones we get now are Waiting for God, Keeping Up Appearances, Vicar of Dibley and Fawlty Towers. Vicar replaced a Canadian show, The Red Green Show, which was not enthusiastically met in this area. While it had a small, but very loyal, following, it was not enough to outweigh the cry against it.

Someone mentioned The Young Ones. I hadn't thought of it in years.

Too many years ago to count, when I lived on the Arkansas and Oklahoma border, the nearest "public" TV station was in Oklahoma, near enough to get a snowy, but recognizable picture and staticky sound. On Saturday nights, I was at home glued to Monty Python and Dr. Who.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: celticblues5
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:48 AM

Interesting thread! Iowa Public TV is very good about rotating a variety of Britcoms, plus they always offer premiums related to them at pledge time. We even have more of a variety up here than in a number of larger cities like KC. Some that haven't been mentioned yet - To the Manor Born, 'Allo 'Allo, Brittas Empire.

We've had all the ones mentioned so far EXCEPT Father Ted, Only When I Laugh, Butterflies, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Fools & Horses, and The Young Ones. (Seeing some of them is thanks to finally getting digital cable with the BBC - Chef is a stitch!) Love RD too - though it isn't quite as good since Rimmer got replaced. Of the older ones, I'd have to say Good Neighbors (terrific for those of us once involved in the back-to-the-land movement in that time period), Waiting for God, Hitchhiker, & Keeping Up Appearances.

Best non-sitcom? - Hamish MacBeth!

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Dorrie
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:28 AM

most of these are consisdered pretty lame over here in england

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:26 AM

Just to keep Ol' Johnny on edge....."You're a fockin' puzzy".......

"Fawty Towers" tops my list with "Black Adder" close. Also, I loved "Reginald Perrin" and "Good Neighbors."

BTW...Do any of our English compatriots find the word "Britcom" offensive? Its been in use here for years. I still think that a "Britcom Network" on cable would sell in the US. Surprises me that no one has done it.

TO KENDALL AND MEEBO----"Mooshie-Mooshie" (brownie episode)

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:21 AM

You've all done very well...

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: alison
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 10:18 AM

"butterflies" was a wonderful show written by Carla Lane (she, I think, also did "Bread" and "the Mistress").... often hilariously funny and heartbreakingly sad....

"the good life" is another classic which derserves re-runs

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Kim C
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:58 AM

We get a few Britcoms here in Nashville but I haven't watched any of them enough to say whether I like them or not. I have seen AYBS once or twice and was amused but not enough to tune in every week. (Actually I think it conflicts with Thistle & Shamrock, so who would blame me?)

There was one I used to watch, though, way back when I was in high school, and I think it was called Butterflies. The father was a dentist (and this actor is on another Britcom now) and was always stressed out about something, Mum was a housewife and they had two batty teenage sons. My favorite (and really, ONLY) memory of this show was the phone ringing and the father picking it up --- This is an answering service. PLease go away! --- and slamming it back down. Man, I've always wanted to do that.

I liked Barney Miller, too, but Wojo was my favorite.

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: Mbo
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:10 AM

YES YES YES!! Kendall, I love Barney Miller! What a great show! My favorites were Fish (Abe Vigoda) and Nick (Jack Soo)!

--Matt

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:02 AM

I like "Waiting for God" as much as any. Mbo, we agree on something, Onslow is my hero. That show has such excellent characters, they are all perfectly suited to their respective roles. Can you imagine being married to that pain in the ass, Hyacinth?

Does anyone remember the best sit com of all time, BARNEY MILLER?

Subject: RE: BS: Mrs. Slocomb's Pussy
From: GMT
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 07:51 AM

Where do you think 'Some Mothers Do Have 'Em' fits
in here ?
Gary