I can remember in the early eighties BBC2 regularly showing the Phil Silvers Show ( sometimes made it to BBC1 late at night), Laurel and Hardy, Will Hay films and St Trinians films. I was in my early teens then and no one minded some of these shows were made in the thirties. Now all we seem to get is tedious Eggheads on a never ending loop.
I grew up watching some of the old B&w comedies, especially Laurel and Hardy and the Robert Youngson complilations of the old silent movies. I even have a few of them on DVD. They are superb. Funny is funny whether its in B&W or colour and these guys were geniuses. Sure it may not be sophiticated or subtle or thought provoking, it was not meant to be.
For the time as well the stunts were amazing, especially Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. I can remember watching Harold Lloyd as well on BBC probably around the mid 80's.
I can remember in the early eighties BBC2 regularly showing the Phil Silvers Show ( sometimes made it to BBC1 late at night), Laurel and Hardy, Will Hay films and St Trinians films. I was in my early teens then and no one minded some of these shows were made in the thirties. Now all we seem to get is tedious Eggheads on a never ending loop.
Yes, never-ending... aka once a day for half an hour. Let's be honest, Eggheads gets more viewers than Bilko ever would.
It was funny in its day but it hasn't held up well at all.
Yes, never-ending... aka once a day for half an hour. Let's be honest, Eggheads gets more viewers than Bilko ever would.
It was funny in its day but it hasn't held up well at all.
You cannot be serious. Funny is funny no matter what the decade it was made. perhaps you should try watching old clips maybe on you tube of Harold Lloyd Buster Keaton and even Bilko and see what real comedy is
I had never seen the Private Harry Speakup episode until tonight.1 scene i found really funny is when Bilko is busy speaking to the new recruits & Barbella is the only 1 that sees Zippy the Chimp (Pvt. Harry Speakup) roller skate in.The expression on his face is priceless.
I was watching last night's episode Song of the Motorpool and it wasn't until right near the end that I realised that the writers of Father Ted had basically used the same plot for their episode that took the mick out of the Eurovision Song Contest
There is nothing quite like Phil Silvers brilliantly ad-libbing,often leaving his fellow actors either desperately trying to keep a straight face or looking to each other with an amused expression as they wonder when they'll get back to the script.
E.g. - When the chimp (Harry Speakup) is being readied for courts-martial he suddenly gets up from the table and is attracted to the telephone behind him.Silvers' eagle eye spots this and opines ... "I think he's calling another lawyer!" ;-)
Re-watching for these ad-libs alone has me hooked again.
You cannot be serious. Funny is funny no matter what the decade it was made. perhaps you should try watching old clips maybe on you tube of Harold Lloyd Buster Keaton and even Bilko and see what real comedy is
BBC Two is even resorting to showing old repeats of Eggheads. Is this the only programme they can show at 6.00, a bunch of sneering pub quiz champions taking on pub quiz teams? I'm sure Bilko must be just as cheap to show now.
Comments
I grew up watching some of the old B&w comedies, especially Laurel and Hardy and the Robert Youngson complilations of the old silent movies. I even have a few of them on DVD. They are superb. Funny is funny whether its in B&W or colour and these guys were geniuses. Sure it may not be sophiticated or subtle or thought provoking, it was not meant to be.
For the time as well the stunts were amazing, especially Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. I can remember watching Harold Lloyd as well on BBC probably around the mid 80's.
Oh for that to be repeated
Yet we get repeats or best bits of cookery shows, I mean someone heating up food. 😟
I only found the channel myself by accident yesterday
The first episode I saw was the one where Bilko and the platoon are nice to a rich kid in order to make him give them some money
I love that one so funny.
I've got a Bilko book,it dissects every episode,totally fab;
Bilko: The Fort Baxter Story, Irvine, Ian Paperback Book.
Yes, never-ending... aka once a day for half an hour. Let's be honest, Eggheads gets more viewers than Bilko ever would.
It was funny in its day but it hasn't held up well at all.
on forces.tv right now
You cannot be serious. Funny is funny no matter what the decade it was made. perhaps you should try watching old clips maybe on you tube of Harold Lloyd Buster Keaton and even Bilko and see what real comedy is
I've been watching the I Love Lucy shows on Tube Ouy and I much prefer her style of comedy.
E.g. - When the chimp (Harry Speakup) is being readied for courts-martial he suddenly gets up from the table and is attracted to the telephone behind him.Silvers' eagle eye spots this and opines ... "I think he's calling another lawyer!" ;-)
Re-watching for these ad-libs alone has me hooked again.
I don't think the humour is dated at all. Obviously the situation is dated, but that's unavoidable.
BBC Two is even resorting to showing old repeats of Eggheads. Is this the only programme they can show at 6.00, a bunch of sneering pub quiz champions taking on pub quiz teams? I'm sure Bilko must be just as cheap to show now.