Benny Hill
Glenn A
Posts: 23,877 Forum Member
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While he is often loathed by the alternative brigade, and his last few years were poor, at his peak Benny Hill was a brilliant comedian. Highlights to me were his silent sketches, his send ups of adverts and popular television shows, his comedy songs and the chase scene at the end. Yes it might appear sexist at times, but Benny was very much of his era and also, unlike some recent revelations, had no skeletons in his cupboard.
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The shows weren't sexist in the slightest; the point was that Benny always came off worst in any encounters with females. To me, the bond films were, and are, far more sexist.
The Lover
I loved the benny hill show. Well I was only old enough to catch 2 or 3 of his episodes when they aired. I did buy the 1970s boxset when it came out but had to go to region 1 for some reason for the 1980s as heard they were cut.
The eighties shows became more adult with the dancers becoming more sexual, the humour became more adult, but I suppose it was Benny keeping up with the times. Avoid at all costs his American special as it just isn't funny. Generally his best material was from 1969 to 1984.
Oh yes he did, but that is where they will remain.
Nothing criminal though.
There were rumours he had affairs with his dancers, but nothing illegal.
" Yes, the chicken is rubbery, no, rubbery " [ lovely ] , oh dear, nurse fetch your needle and thread , my sides are in need of repair.
Really from the things I have heard about it many think he died a virgin and was probably Asexual though that term wasn't really out at the time even today may don't know about it the fact I'm Asexual myself I did find that kinda interesting.
As for skeletons in his cupboard, I would not be surprised if there were many. I'm also surprised his name hasn't been mentioned in connection with the Savile scandal. As for affairs with his dancers, I'm not sure about that, but part of their audition process often involved an act that Hill referred to as 'being nice to Uncle Benny'.
In short, if you only consider his pre Hill's Angels career, one of our most talented and innovative comedians.
It was no secret he liked the ladies. Nothing wrong with that.;)
'It's only the hairs on a gooseberry that stops it from being a grape'
I didn't like the latter years but didn't really watch them.
His death was so sad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-gelf52Dc
i heard he was a closet gay
live as a recluse never married, bit odd must be said
I thought if he was one or the other he would be gay but I just think he was on neither side of the fence
I think both the pro and anti Benny Hill brigades are hanging to much on this PC sexist thing.
He got old, repetitive, lost his edge, nobody gets their day in the sun forever.
Even those who worked with him remarked on doing 'versions' of old sketches.
Can't say I'm surprised to see who the OP is, talk about live in the past with your threads.
As for Benny skeletons, IIRC used to get BJ's off at least one of the Hills Angels, I think that's as sexual as he got.
He doesn't get the recognition he deserves.