The British public adored the late Kenny Everett, and it is not hard to see why. He was naturally funny, able to make the corniest of jokes ( and Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron supplied him with quite a few ) seem hysterical. After his massively successful Thames T.V. series came to an end ( Kenny was apparently unhappy at budget cuts, which amongst other things resulted in the removal of the 'Captain Kremmen' cartoons. The sketches had to be done from then on as live action with himself playing 'Kremmen' and Anna Dawson as 'Carla'. Also it was put head-to-head with the B.B.C.'s 'Top Of The Pops' on Thursday nights ), Kenny returned in triumph to the corporation that had once sacked him for cracking a joke about a transport minister's wife.
His B.B.C. show was more or less the same except for the addition of a laugh-track. Instead of Arlene Phillips' 'Hot Gossip', Kenny's new ace card was the stunning Brazillian-born beauty Cleo Rocos. Other girls in the show were Kate Rabette ( later to play 'Cissy Meldrum' in the sitcom 'You Rang My Lord?' ), Paula Wootton, and Lesley Ann Sommers. But Cleo made the biggest impact, particularly when as 'Miss Whiplash' she was seen giving a chained Lionel Blair a taste of the leather lash.
The quick fire bawdy humour was retained. Kenny's new characters included punk rocker 'Gizzard Puke', 'Julian Mince', a Hooray Henry of the first order, agony-aunt 'Verity Treacle', and the accident-prone D.I.Y. man Reg Prescott ( whose mishaps with saws and hammers were unusually gory for prime-time television! ), Marcel Wave, Morris Mimer and Cupid Stunt ( try saying that after a few drinks! ).
A regular item of the 1985 series was 'Dallasty', a hilarious spoof of the U.S. soaps 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty' with Kenny playing most of the roles. One person who did not get the joke was Nina Myskow, then T.V. critic of 'The News Of The World' and a vocal supporter of glossy U.S. soaps. Perhaps the last line in the closing credits had something to do with it:
CREATIVE
REALISATION
ASSOCIATES
PRODUCTION
A later series spoofed the Australian soap 'Neighbours' ( as 'Cobbers' ) with the entire cast in swim wear, save for Kenny, who wore a suit at all times. Ray Cameron left eventually, and was replaced by David Renwick and Andrew Marshall, who came up with 'Bo Diddley Of The Legion'. Another memorable sketch had Kenny as Rod Stewart, whose derrière keeps expanding to such an extent that he eventually lifts off.
'The Kenny Everett Television Show' was a happy one. Stars of the calibre of Joanna Lumley, Richard Johnson, Billy Connolly, Pamela Stephenson, Cannon & Ball, John Wells, Terry Wogan, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Gareth Hunt, and Toyah Wilcox were keen to go on and join in the fun. Two hit records came out on the back of the show: the charmingly titled 'Snot Rap' in 1983 and 'Snot Rap Part 2' in 1985.
In 1988, Kenny quit to return to his first love - radio. Though he made guest appearances on various game shows ( and even fronted one of his own called 'Brainstorm' ), he scaled down his television work. He died in 1995.
Say what you will about Kenny, but British television was a far better place when he was around. After all, his show was 'all done in the best possible taste!'.
His B.B.C. show was more or less the same except for the addition of a laugh-track. Instead of Arlene Phillips' 'Hot Gossip', Kenny's new ace card was the stunning Brazillian-born beauty Cleo Rocos. Other girls in the show were Kate Rabette ( later to play 'Cissy Meldrum' in the sitcom 'You Rang My Lord?' ), Paula Wootton, and Lesley Ann Sommers. But Cleo made the biggest impact, particularly when as 'Miss Whiplash' she was seen giving a chained Lionel Blair a taste of the leather lash.
The quick fire bawdy humour was retained. Kenny's new characters included punk rocker 'Gizzard Puke', 'Julian Mince', a Hooray Henry of the first order, agony-aunt 'Verity Treacle', and the accident-prone D.I.Y. man Reg Prescott ( whose mishaps with saws and hammers were unusually gory for prime-time television! ), Marcel Wave, Morris Mimer and Cupid Stunt ( try saying that after a few drinks! ).
A regular item of the 1985 series was 'Dallasty', a hilarious spoof of the U.S. soaps 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty' with Kenny playing most of the roles. One person who did not get the joke was Nina Myskow, then T.V. critic of 'The News Of The World' and a vocal supporter of glossy U.S. soaps. Perhaps the last line in the closing credits had something to do with it:
CREATIVE
REALISATION
ASSOCIATES
PRODUCTION
A later series spoofed the Australian soap 'Neighbours' ( as 'Cobbers' ) with the entire cast in swim wear, save for Kenny, who wore a suit at all times. Ray Cameron left eventually, and was replaced by David Renwick and Andrew Marshall, who came up with 'Bo Diddley Of The Legion'. Another memorable sketch had Kenny as Rod Stewart, whose derrière keeps expanding to such an extent that he eventually lifts off.
'The Kenny Everett Television Show' was a happy one. Stars of the calibre of Joanna Lumley, Richard Johnson, Billy Connolly, Pamela Stephenson, Cannon & Ball, John Wells, Terry Wogan, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Gareth Hunt, and Toyah Wilcox were keen to go on and join in the fun. Two hit records came out on the back of the show: the charmingly titled 'Snot Rap' in 1983 and 'Snot Rap Part 2' in 1985.
In 1988, Kenny quit to return to his first love - radio. Though he made guest appearances on various game shows ( and even fronted one of his own called 'Brainstorm' ), he scaled down his television work. He died in 1995.
Say what you will about Kenny, but British television was a far better place when he was around. After all, his show was 'all done in the best possible taste!'.