******************************************************************************* ======================================== The Comic Strip Presents Episode Guide ======================================== Here is a listing of the short films shown under the general title "The Comic Strip Presents" Version 5.0 11/94 Additions/Corrections to: michaels@jake.chem.unsw.EDU.AU or michaels@cumulus.csd.unsw.EDU.AU As far as I can make out, this version of the guide has a complete listing of all Comic Strips Presents episodes to date. Unless I have made major errors or omissions (your feedback is appreciated), this should be the last version of the guide until the next Comic Strip series is produced. The Comic Strip gets its name from a Stage show/revue of the same name which ran from Oct 1980 to July 1981 and starred the regulars that appear in the TV Comic Strip films (Richardson, Sayle, Planer, Mayall, Edmondson, French and Saunders among others). Year Title Writer 1982 Five go Mad in Dorsett Richardson, Richens Spoof of the "Famous Five" childrens adventure books by Enid Blyton. Lots ham and turkey sandwiches, heaps of tomatoes, fresh lettuce and lashings of ginger beer. Anne: Look! Timmy's [the dog] fallen over. George: Oh Crikey, he's been poisoned! Julian: Never mind George, we'll get another. 1983 War Richardson, Richens Britain is invaded by the Russians - along with lot of really weird characters, like a US general who is really short on soldiering skills, mad mexican gunslingers, a special forces commando team who are all blind, and paratroops who think parachutes are for sissies. This episode is more a series of surreal vignettes based on standard war movie themes (eg a POW camp & escape committee) or scenes from particular war movies (eg Russian roulette from 'The Deer Hunter') Radio Announcer: OK, Right, uh we've just heard that the Warsaw Pact countries uh invaded Surrey at dawn this morning, so there may be delays on cross-channel ferries OK. Japanese Prison Camp Officer: My name is Kiri, - Harry Kiri! Ha ha old samuri joke. Donald/Miguel: They think that Miguel's just a stupid peasant. They say, hahaha, Miguel's got flared trousers! They say Miguel's got no CSEs! 1983 The Beat Generation Richardson, Richens Sendup of trendy 1960's films. Filmed in B&W. 1983 Bad News Tour Edmondson A-la "This is Spinal Tap" Rockumentary. Follow Vim Fuego, Den Dennis, Colin Grigson and Spider Webb on tour as the heavy metal band 'Bad News'. (Well, not so much on tour, more like driving to the Roxy in Grantham for a gig.) It is a masterful tour-de-force of the cinema-verite documentary style. Vim: I could play 'Stairway to Heaven' when I was 12. Jimmy Page didn't actually write it 'till he was 22. I think that says quite a lot. Spider: [whisper] This is it. Just cry like I told you to or you won't get paid. Girl: Ohhhh Noooo Spider, don't leave me, not now. Spider: Chicks huh! See ya doll. Vim: [voice over] Spider used to have this really big drug problem - you know, he couldn't get enough! That's probably why he is like he is, you know, completely crazed. Vim: We'd be as rich as the Stones of we sold as many records as them. Vim: Life on the road is a lot more interesting than working in a factory. I mean you do a lot more driving for a start! 1983 Summer School French, Saunders Recreate everyday life in a paleolithic village as part of an anthropologist's research project while on your summer break from University. Nick: Beth, I want you to know that what you and I are about to do is all in the course of duty. Yeah, like, we must take on the responsibility of research, yeah? Beth: Yes, I do see what you mean, but there is a snag. Nick: What's that? Beth: I'm having my P. E. R. I. O. D. so I think we should wait a few days. It's a bit mucky you know! Nick: Pernod ? 1983 Five go Mad on Mescalin Richardson, Richens More Famous 5 adventures. It was to have been a pleasant summer holiday, but Uncle Quentin (the well known scientist and homosexual) has escaped from prison. Julian: [talking about a waitress] What a queer girl. Anne: I think she looks cheap. George: Yes, and mentally retarded. Julian: I wouldn't be suprised if she came from a broken home. What do you say Dick? Dick: Yes....Or maybe shes adopted. That's more likely. 1984 Dirty Movie Mayall, Edmondson A proprieter of a small cinema gets a dirty movie. Will he be able to pass it off as a 9am screening of "The Sound of Muzak" [sic], or will his wife, the mailman, a traffic warden, the police, or a pet lobster come between him and his movie. Mailman Bean: I was just trying to see this film. Sargeant Peter: I bet you were, I bet you were, you dirty bastard! PC Nigel: Ohhh! I get it! dirty bastard - dirty film, right? Sarge: Now then, whats your name? PC: Nigel! Sarge: Not you Nigel - you! Mailman: Mr Bean Sarge: It's a funny name for a lobster! PC: Sarge, He's not a lobster Sarge. Sarge: I know, I'm trying to disorientate him. PC: Don't do that, you'll get him confused. Sarge: Thats what I'm trying to do! PC: Ohhh, I get it. [PC Nigel smashes mailman in the face] PC: There, that's confused him! Sarge: Now get up. And that is just a warning! Mailman: A warning about what exactly? Sarge: A warning about....Tell him Nigel. PC: That is just a warning about what its like to get smashed in the face SONNY! Sarge: Don't you forget it! 1984 Susie Richardson, Richens Randy schoolteacher meets drug-sodden pop star. 1984 A Fistfull of Travellers' Cheques Richardson, Richens, Mayall Recreate Spaghetti Westerns (while on holiday in Spain). Meet the hitchhiker from hell and a psychotic matador along the way. Features Miguel - the mad Mexican from 'War'. Ticket Collector: Tickets! [gets ticket] Ehh What's this gringo? Carlos: It's a Euro-Rover - old man. Miguel: [ding] Hey, double B and B for one night capitan. Hotel Bastardos Manager: Get your hands off my counter tourist filth! Miguel: I think I like this place. Make that two weeks. Hotel Bastardos Manager: If you wanta soft toilet paper you go to Hotel Gayboy. You whinging Pommies. [Miguel and Carlos facing each other, Western showdown style] Carlos: You start the row. Miguel: I went first last time! Carlos: No you didn't. Miguel - Carlos: Did; Didn't; Did; Didn't; Did Carlos: *Did-not!* Sorry, have we started yet? Miguel: 'Course I have you great tosser. Carlos: Allright. Start again. Miguel: You calling me a liar? Carlos: Yes! Miguel: Well then, you're going to die. 1984 Gino - Full Story and Pics Richardson, Richens Gino, on the run from the police, teams up with Angie. Together they meet a number of unusual characters, ranging from a psychotic divorcee to a murdering housewife. Max: My wife says I'm crazy and ought to be locked up; perhaps she's right! God she's beautiful! Wish I could see her. She won't let me in the house without a lawyer. I mean, is thats not a proper marriage is it? ... It's the nights I can't take. It was allright at first, I stayed with friends. But you know what it's like when you start falling over and frightening the children. 1984 Eddie Monsoon - A Life Edmondson Bio of a South African TV host who's a perverted deviant, a lush, and very violent. Interesting facts: (1) There was to have been an Eddie Monsoon episode in series 1, but it was not made due to proposed content. Makes you wonder, if the stuff in this Eddie Monsoon episode was acceptable, what was the content of the unmade episode! The quote below is a reference to this "banned" episode. Michael White who plays himself as a TV producer is the actual producer of the Comic Strip Presents. (2) This is the origin of the name of Jennifer Saunders character in Absolutely Fabulous, Edwina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders is married to Adrian Edmonson). (3) "Eddie Monsoon" is a bastardized version of Adrian Edmondson's surname, this is because the Eddie Monsoon character is, as Adrian himself has said, based on his personality when he is pissed. Eddie: I mean Channel 4 is *the* channel for child porn and homosexuals and I had both in my show. So why'd you have to go and ban it, just like that? Michael White: Eddie! If you'd really want to know.. Eddie: Yes I do Michael: Then shutup and listen. The only reasons we had for not transmitting "Back to normal with Eddie Monsoon" are that it was obscene, libellous and in my opinion an offense to humanity. 1984 Slags Saunders Set in a seedy futuristic, Bladerunner-like world, with shades of the B grade 'Surf Nazis must die' we hear of "The Slags", a gang into violence, and their war with "The Hawaiians", a gang into niceness. [Circular saw blade narrowly misses Ace's head] Street Urchin: Can we have our starflinger back Mister? Ace: When I was your age - I wouldn't have missed! Ricky: I want you to know, that we never touch anybody with hate. We're only fighting for what is nice. 1984 The Bullshitters (1) Richardson, Allen Sendup of "The Professionals", an action series about secret servicemen. Lots of shouting 'Lets go' and 'Cover me' while running around dressed only in leather jackets and underpants. Bonehead: The camera's running -the sound's rolling- I've got to get inside that car. What's the first thing I do - Troy? Troy: Start the engine, sir? Bonehead: No! Anybody - Quickly, come along. Chuck: Door acting sir? Bonehead: Very good, well done Chuck. All right, what's the first thing I do with this door handle, Stig? Stig: Press it down sir? Bonehead: No! I do not press it down. The first thing you do with a door handle is you do not look at it. Now this is a good opportunity for a nice profile shot, use it! You might not get another opportunity. Plenty of looking up and down that street -international terrorists are in town- the TV tough guy never does what -Wayne? Wayne: Locks his car sir. Bonehead: And why? Chuck: Wasting film sir. 1986 Consuela French, Saunders Hitchcock suspense movie sendup, based on 'Rebecca'. Will the changes brought about by a new mistress of the house be welcomed by the maid Consuela? Jessica: I don't want to keep you from your duties Consuela, I shall just pop into the village and pick up John's shoes from the cobblers. Consuela: I've taken care of that madam. They're in his wardrobe. Jessica: Oh good...well, I shall get some flowers to arrange then, the house looks so drab. Consuela: I did that this morning madam. Jessica: Thank you Consuela. Then I shall be able to go out this afternoon and sketch some ducks. Consuela: Took the liberty madam. [Holds up a drawing of a duck] 1986 Private Enterprise Edmondson Small time crim, nicks a demo recording of a band and touts it as his own work. What do you know, the song is a success! What can he do when they start to arrange gigs and press conferences for the non-existant band? Keith: Look at it this way Brian; most people who do arson have got some huge psychological problem, and they get nothing out of it except maybe an erection. Whereas we stand to make two hundered quid cancellation fee. Brian: I think I'd rather have an erection. Keith: Well, with a bit of luck, we might get both! 1988 The Strike Richardson, Richens The filming of the (Hollywood) adaptation of a book about the miners strike of 1985. Includes excerpts from the film "Strike: The Bloodbath Begins". What if Arthur Scargill - played by Al Pacino worked during the strike, and his wife - played by Merryl Streep had an unusual fixation on oranges! Paul: Uhhm excuse me Mr Goldstein, the whole point of the story is that the miners are on strike. It's the miners strike, and that means the mines are closed-they're not working. Goldstein: So you're saying that this Scarface.. Verity: Scargill Goldstein: Scargill-schmargill, you're saying that this guy, the hunky hero, the head of the miners, you're saying that he's too chicken-shit scared to go down the mine and dig out Merryl Streep! Bernard: I'm sorry, what's Merryl Streep got to do with it? Goldstein: I dunno, she's available in July. 1988 More Bad News Edmondson The return of the heavy metal band Bad News, 5 years on, for a reunion record deal and concert. They actually perform live in front of 70,000 in the 'Monsters of Rock' show at Castle Donnington. I believe to get into their roles, Edmondson (Vim), Planer (Den), Mayall (Colin) and Richardson (Spider) actually toured and played a few gigs as all (except Mayall) can play their instruments. Includes the other 'Monsters' bands voicing their opinions of Bad News (Motorhead, Def Leppard, Scorpion and Ozzie Ozborne). See also the CD section at the end of this guide. Vim: Den, Den, That amp is pathetic. You couldn't amplify a fart through that! Den: Yeah well, Gail's kid's gerbils been using it as a toilet for the last 3 years. Den: [outside the recording studio toilet] Ohhhh, This is really great. Just imagine, I could've just dumped in the same bog as Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, or Lemmy or Ozzie Osborne. Who has been here? Documentary Maker: [Murmer murmer] Den: BANANARAMA! 1988 Mr Jolly Lives Next Door Edmondson, Mayall, Rivron Drunkards running an escort agency live above an off-license and next to a psychopathic hit man (whose also into little fluffy toys). They get his contract to kill Nicholas Parsons (game show host in the UK) believing it to mean they have to literally 'take out' Parsons (and show him a good time). Rik: And she said: 'Well I don't think you're a fishmonger, I think you've done a plop in the wrong lavatory!' Ade: Hey Nicholas look, I can light my fart! [zzzrrrppt-whoomph] Nicholas Parsons: What exactly [cough cough] was your winning slogan? Rik: Never ever bloody anything ever! Nick: And that was your winning slogan? Rik: That's the one Nikky. I've lived my life by that rule! Ade: Nicholas, I wonder if I can light my burps? [bbrrroooapp] Nick: I would like to spend an evening with Nicholas Parsons because "never ever ever bloody anything ever". Rik: You're pissed aren't you Nicholas? 1988 The Yob Allen, Peacock Based on the movie "The Fly". What if an artistic, sensitive new age guy (but a wuss), who directs video clips for a living, was crossed with a neo-nazi hooligan via a cerebral transfer teleport? Features the band UB-40. Michael: The first clue was the bone structure. Indented forehead, slightly Neaderthal brain casing, squarish jaw. All hereditary signs of the introduction of Norman blood into the Anglo-Saxon strain - 1066 William the Conquerer. They settled in London; they were the first modern Londoners really. Debs: After that it was relatively simple. By scraping the faeces that were left in the pod and taking samples from the London sewerage plant we were able to discern the exact district he came from. Michael: Barnett! Debs: So we knew we were looking for a yob from Barnett. Victoria: Brilliant! Michael: Not really, just the appliance of science. Victoria: And how did you find Patrick? Debs: Oh, we saw his picture in Vogue magazine. 1988 Didn't You Kill my Brother? Sayle, Melville, Stafford Sayle plays identical twins, Carl and Sterling Moss. Together they ran a series of protection rackets, gambling clubs and dress hire shops - until one was busted. Now Carl is a reformed con and the most highly academically qualified person in Britain. Sterling however, is still an unreformed, bicycle stealing criminal. Ms Sneak: If I catch you making things you'll be back inside pissing in a tin pot before you can say "Amnesty International". Carl, you're going to be an unstructured activities coordinator. Carl: Perhaps I could stay at the released offenders hostel at Redbridge? Ms Sneak: Carl, you're a free man; you're *not* going anywhere. Carl: Hello there Laura, how old are you then? Laura: Physically I'm 8 but my teacher says I have the emotional maturity of a 40 year old woman, so don't patronise me right! Carl: Right? All right then Ashley, hows it going mate? Ashley: Sod off you nosey bastard! Ms Sneak: Ashley's rather hyperactive I'm afraid. He was born while I was running the London Marathon. He came 10th. Ashley [whisper]: Sorry. We've been forced to be unmannerly. Laura [whisper]: Is there any way you could have us taken into care? Mrs Moss: You should always put a dead badger on a head wound. 1988 Funseekers Planer, Lucie Looks at package holidays for the 18-30's for Sun, Sea and Sex. What if, shock-horror, one of the funseekers was an ancient 34! There is also some sort of surreal tie-in to a local inhabitant who is an unwed mother-to-be. The early Comic Strips (up-to Funseekers) were made for Channel 4 England, they are now made for BBC2. Generally these later Comic Strips are not as interesting as the early shows. Thanks to Paul Rhodes, Stu Hamlin, Mark Moir, and Pasters for the details of the early BBC2 episodes. 1990 South Atlantic Raiders Richardson and Richens (This episode is shown in two parts) Ham radio operator loses contact with his new found, long-distance girlfriend who is based on the Falkland Islands. Naturally, he believes the reason for the lost contact is that the Falklands have been re-invaded by the Argentinians. So he and his friend set off down to the South Atlantic to rescue her. Mind you, simply getting some money together to finance the operation and leaving Britain is an adventure in itself. Rollo: How much combat experience have we all had? Billy: 'S not necessary. Killings instinctive, as long as you hate people enough and watch the right films. "First Blood" were good, errr, then they done "Rambo" but it were a bit commercial for my taste. Rollo: How about you Stan? Stan: Well, I don't like "Rambo" either. Passenger: I'll have a Bloody Mary. Billy: We've only got bloody Lager! 1990 GLC Richardson and Richens From J R Goldstein, the same producer who brought you "Strike: The Bloodbath Begins", comes another Hollywood adaptation of an event in the life of left wing politics in Britain, "GLC: The Carnage Continues". Starring Charles Bronson as Ken Livingstone, Lee Van Cleef as Tony Benn, Cher as Joan Ruddock, and introducing Bridget Neilson as Margaret 'Ice Maiden' Thatcher. Music by Kate Bush. Alec [at the film's premiere]: Earlier on this evening I spoke to one of the stars of GLC, Charles Bronson, who plays the part of Ken Livingstone. Bronson: Its a story about an ordinary guy whose wife and family get wiped out by these creeps so naturally he has to follow them and wipe them out one at a time in a prolonged and very cruel way. Alec: I see, thank you. And what next for Bronson? Bronson: Well we've got a new twist next time. We're doing a film about a guy whose wife and family aren't wiped out, but who decides to go after creeps just the same. 1990 Oxford Richardson and Richens Oxford University, traditionally a nursery for spies of all nationalities and political persuasions (who obtain a good grounding in the principles of comedic timing and the poetry of Lord Byron into the bargain). Music by The Pretenders. Steve: I went to Russia for assessment and, because of my natural comic timing, I was sent to the KGB comendy training camp in Minsk. When I returned to the west I realized, like so many other Soviet trained comics, that if my cover as a comedian was to hold, not only did I have to be hilariously funny but a paranoid manic depressive as well! Caroline: My God! Just like Tony Hancock, and Peter Sellers, and John Cleese! Professor: KGB are very thorough Caroline. What did they use Steven? Ego inflating drugs? Adulation treatment? 1990 Spaghetti Hoops Richardson and Richens A farce loosely based on the (a?) Italian banking crisis of the late 80's. Anyhow, a crisis involving Italian banks, bankers, embezzlement, and the Freemasons. Filmed in B&W. Bertoli: There's absolutely no way I'd drop him in it. Inspector: Do you know what we will do to you if you don't start "spreading the pasta"? Bertoli: What will you do? Inspector: We will do...."things" to you. Bertoli: What things? Inspector: Can't tell you that yet, because they're too horrible to talk about. Policeman 1: And we haven't had our breakfast yet! Policeman 2: More croissant Inspector? Inspector: No, more cake. And be very generous with the cream. Policeman 3: Leave room for your five course lunch won't you, you evil policeman you. Inspector: Right. Lets start the torture. 1990 Les Dogs Richardson and Richens Britain ruled by a military dictator; car accidents; a wedding reception; a shootout - then it starts to get weird! If you want to see musician Kate Bush, in her acting debut, licked by a chocolate smeared yobbo this is the episode for you. Music by 'Les Dogs' Bride's Mother: It would help to lighten the atmosphere if you could start playing your music now. Les Dogs band leader: No. Bride's Mother: Look, they're not firing in; in your direction. All the shots are going across the room so you're quite safe. Please, it would help, and we *have* booked you. 1991 The Crying Game Allen, Richardson Football (soccer) player Roy Brush, and the tabloid press. Butcher: Well we're very happy that at last someone has seen sense and is promoting British meat. It just goes to show that if British bangers are good enough for Brush, then they're good enough for Britain. Scum Editor: Sausage debate, the big sausage, the bad sausage, the burned sausage? Janet: The good, the bad and the sausage? Scum Editor: Yeah, "The Great Sausage War!" right, subtitle "Looney veggies slam Brush". Scum editorial "Shuddup says Scum, leave our bangers alone" Right I want 20 things you never knew about sausages. Janet I want another of your fabulous competitions. Janet: Insult a veggie and win a Roy Brush sizzler T-shirt. 1991 Demonella Bartel, Dennen Sheet music publisher makes deal with the devil (deviless ?) for most catchy song ever. Sid Vicious [in Hell]: Oi! Oscar, I really like your gear man. Oscar Wilde: Thank you Mr Vicious. Your good taste in clothes is exceeded only by my own in everything else. Sid Vicious: Piss off fruit. 1991 Jealosy Coltrane, Fullarton About an insanely jealous husband, with some transvestitism. 1992 Wild Turkey Richardson, Richens What if the Christmas turkey fights back? 1992 The Red Nose of Courage Richardson and Richens (a special shown the night of the 1992 general election) John Major runs away from the circus to become a Tory MP. However, a circus accident neccessitates his recall. Can he juggle (pun intended - and the answer is no, he isn't a very good clown) his job of being a circus clown with that of Prime Minister? To give Major a love interest, the part of leader of the (Labour) opposition is not played by Neil Kinnock, but by his wife Glenys Kinnock -watch for their sizzling love scenes! BTW The credits show that the original music for this episode was co-written by Spider Webb, one of the members of Bad News. John Major's Dad: You're useless. You can't juggle, you can't ride a horse, you're no good on the highwire 'cause you're afraid of heights. The elephants all hate you. You can't throw a knife, you can't breath fire. We can't even fire you out of a cannon without you getting a nosebleed or screaming that you've gone deaf. You've got absolutely no circus skills whatsoever. You're a failure and a disgrace to our ancient circus family. You're good for nothing John Major. Major: For years I had secretly dreamed of working in a bank or a tax office. So I headed vaguely in the direction of the city. Already I was entering an enchanting world of stationery and office equipment. This was my Disneyland! Binders, A4 filing, A2 and A6, reciept books and rulers and propelling pencils, calculators..... 1993 Detectives on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown Allen, Richardson Sendup of cop shows like "Spencer", "The Sweeny" and "The Professionals". Someone is killing all the 80's and 90's style of TV cop. Who is best equipped to solve this baffling case? None other than the 70's style of TV cop! Includes DI Spanker, Shouting George from the Weiny, and the return of Bonehead and Foyle as "The Bullshitters" George: I'm a 10 Gov a day copper... I'm going to be calling you Gov all day long. It's all I know and all you need to know! GOV. 1993 Gregory: Diary of a Nutcase Richardson, Richens Home video diary of psychopathic hopeful Gregory, interlaced with a sendup of "Silence of the Lambs" Gregory: Guess what I'm doing? I'm building a torture chamber. I got these bricks off a building site -cost me about 300 quid. And there's the sand and the cement and the hire of the mixer. I mean it all adds up! 1993 Queen of the Wild Frontier Richardson, Richens A simple farm girl in the untamed wilds of the north of England and her quest for a husband. So what could be more ideal than having a couple of escaped prisoners hiding out on the farm, surely at least one is a potential husband. Fiona: Ummm, how would you describe me? Am I 'A' shy, 'B' reserved, 'C' outgoing, 'D' vivaceous ? Susie: How about smelly? Fiona: No, it has to be one of these four. Five, your figure: hips-yes, bust-yes, waist-no, legs-two, hair-yes. Susie: What are you doing? Fiona: Computer dating. Cuts out all the fuss, 25 quid and they get you a husband... Describe yourself; Uhhhmm Hill farmer. Good with horses. Virgin--I think! Susie: You're not making yourself sound very interesting. Fiona: Well that doesn't matter. I'm sending them your photo anyway. How about that nude one of you in Greece? 1993 Space Virgins from Planet Sex Richardson, Richens Send up of B-grade sci-fi movies. Features James Blonde secret agent extraordinaire. Needle: We are fast approaching our 200 year breeding cycle. Gaynor: Yes, where we will be producing over 100 babies a week each. Movies: 1985 The Supergrass Richardson, Richens Dennis makes up a story about drug smugglers and is persuaded to become a supergrass. 1987 Eat The Rich (2) Richardson, Richens The restaurant "Bastards" where the staff and clientele could be minced and served to the next customer. 1992 The Pope Must Die (3) Richardson, Richens Honest priest (Coltrane) is elected Pope, something the Mafia and others did not want to see happen. Notes: (1) Not Billed as a Comic Strip Film mainly as writer/co-star Allen didn't want to go under the Comic Strip name at the time. (2) Regular Comic Strip members have only cameo appearances. (3) Not billed as a Comic Strip film. Ratings: As all the Comic strip episode (with a few exceptions) have very different storylines and characters, some shows hit the mark a lot better than others. While ratings are always contentious and highly subjective I have made some general recommendations. This will be especially useful if you haven't seen any of the Comic Strip presents, as we don't want to scare you off just because you happened to see one of the "less interesting" episodes. Mind you, don't let this rating guide put you off seeing the other episodes, as each episode is very different, a show I don't rate highly may be listed as an all-time great by other people (examples include Gino and GLC). I have only listed the well above average shows. ***** Mr Jolly Lives Next Door: The general Internet concensus is this is the best Comic Strip show ever. Rik Mayall and Ade Edmonson at their anarchic best. ****1/2 Bad News Tour, More Bad News (Also, listen to Bad News' CD/Albums and see the video clip of their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody) Dirty Movie: Rik and Ade anarchic and pointless as usual, but damn funny. A Fistfull of Travellers' Cheques: A slow development to the story (lots of moody walking about Spain) but if you like this one, you'll really like it. **** Eddie Monsoon -A Life: Q) Is Ade Edmonson writing without Rik Mayall less anarchic, as the Bad News episodes imply? A) No! This is one of the more offbeat episodes. Some (well a lot) of the humour is "off" but if that's what turns you on, this will be one of the great Comic Strips episodes. ***1/2 5 Go Mad in Dorsett, 5 Go Mad on Mescalin, War, Private Enterprise, The Strike, Didn't you Kill my Brother?, South Atlantic Raiders, Queen of the Wild Frontier. Seasons: Use this listing to see how the episodes are bundled and hence what episodes to (hopefully) expect if your local TV station starts to show a series of Comic Strip films. Thanks to Deborah L Goggans and Paul Rhodes for additional info here. Pilot: 5 Go Mad In Dorsett Channel 4 Season 1: War, The Beat Generation, Bad News Tour, Summer School, plus a repeat of the pilot. Channel 4 Special: 5 Go Mad on Mescalin Channel 4 Season 2: Dirty Movie, Susie, Fistful of Travellers Cheques, Gino, Eddie Monsoon - A Life, and Slags. Channel 4 Specials: The Bullshitters, Consuela, and Private Enterprise. Channel 4 Season 3: The Strike, More Bad News, Mr Jolly Lives Next Door, The Yob, Didn't You Kill My Brother?, and Funseekers. BBC-2 Season 1: South Atlantic Raiders, GLC, Oxford, Spaghetti Hoops, and Les Dogs. BBC-2 Specials: The Red Nose of Courage, Wild Turkey, Crying Game BBC-2 Season 2: Demonella, Jealosy, Detectives On The Edge Of A Nervous Breakdown, Gregory: Diary Of A Nutcase, Queen Of The Wild Frontier, and Space Virgins From Planet Sex, plus repeat of the Crying Game. Reference: A handy book about alternative British comedy is called 'Didn't you kill my mother-in-law ?' by Wilmut and Rosengard (Methuen 1989, ISBN 0-413-17390-9) There is a script book of the first Channel 4 series (up to Summer School) it also contains some Eddie Monsoon material. Music: Thanks to Chris Russell, John Butcher, McClane The Dominator and Paul Rhodes for this info. BAD NEWS There is a CD available of the music of Bad News. Titled 'Bad News', it includes the smash hits; Warriors of Ghengis Khan, Bad News, Masturbike, and a live version of Hey Hey Bad News. Includes a very badly played, but very funny cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. (Brian May produced the recording). Between the songs there are conversational pieces, like their annual general meeting and how they will split the money from the recording contract. It was released on the Rhino/Rampage label to coincide with the second of the two Bad News Comic Strip Episodes; Catalogue Number R2 70931 Vim: I sing it so hard that my rectum seems to prolapse. The CD is a compilation of two LP/tapes Bad News have recorded, called 'Bad News' and 'Bootleg'. The CD contains all the first album and some tracks from the second and has the same cover photo as the first album. There is also a live album, called, you guessed it, "Bad News Live" which has on side A their Hammersmith Odeon concert and on side B is their Donnington Monsters of Rock concert (the concert featured in 'More Bad News'). There is a video clip of their Bohemian Rhapsody cover. It is in two parts. The first is their badly played version of the song, and the second part has them finding out that, as well as the clip, the contract specifies that they have to provide 3 minutes of additional footage. They have spent all the money on the clip and have nothing left over, so the three minutes is spent with the band trying to do it all themselves and consists mainly of dialogue of the band members arguing and complaining. Mind you, when does anything about Bad News _not_ mainly consist of dialogue of the band members arguing :-) GLC The theme to GLC (plus some incidental music) is the B-side of Kate Bush's Love and Anger single and possibly it is on the "This Woman's Work" box set. "Ken is the man that we all need! Ken is the leader of the GLC!" Videos: Some Comic Strip shows have been released on video (at least in Australia). Released by Polygram video for Channel 4 with the title "Comic Strip Classics" 1) 5 in Dorsett + 5 Mescalin 2) Bad News Tour + More Bad News 3) Fistfull Cheques + Gino 4) Mr Jolly + Dirty Movie 5) Susie + Consuela 6) Bullshitters + The Yob There are a lot of variations and combinations of Comic Strip episodes available on video from different distributors. Under the label of the The Home Cinema Group, with the Title "Comic Strip Volume #" I have seen; Volume 1: Didn't you kill my Brother? + Eddie Monsoon and Volume 2: Mr Jolly + Consuela While Virgin video have released both Bad News episodes (one per video) in a music video category and Thorn EMI have released some, for example, 5 Go Mad + Bullshitters + Travellers Cheques. The Channel 4 season 3 episodes have also been released singly on video (they had a limited theatre run as well as being shown on TV). *****************************************************************************