Like many great comedians, Harry Enfield first shot to fame in the 80's after providing voices for 'Spitting Image', as well as making regular appearances on Channel 4's 'Saturday Live'. It was on 'Saturday Live' that Enfield conceived a host of memorable characters such as Greek kebab shop owner Stavros, loud-mouthed Cockney Loadsamoney and drunken Geordie lout Buggerallmoney. In 1989, Enfield played the leading role in 'Norbert Smith - A Life', a mockumentary charting the life and times of a fading British actor and by the start of the 90's, Enfield had gained enough respect from viewers to be awarded with his first weekly comedy show - 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme', shown by BBC 1.
'Television Programme' was a big step for the likable comic. It was here where he first introduced us to some of his best comic creations such as the revolting Wayne & Waynetta Slob, obnoxious know-it-all Mr. Don't Wanna Do That, buck-toothed Tim Nice But Dim, The Old Gits, The Scousers, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore inspired Lee & Lance ( who first appeared as car mechanics and then later as flower stall holders ) and ageing disc jockeys Smashey & Nicey ( both of which were based on real-life disc jockeys Alan Freeman and Tony Blackburn ), who ended each sketch by playing 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' by The Bachman Turner Overdrive. Smashey & Nicey became cult characters, later landing their own one-off show, 'Smashey & Nicey - The End Of An Era'.
Some sketches fell flat such as those containing the annoying double-take brothers ( who would react with exaggerated surprise whenever the unexpected occurred ) or Les The Forgetful Barman ( ''Maureen, its getting a bit busy down here, my love!''. ''Les, you're not married!''. ). Fortunately, many of the sketches hit the target more than they missed.
As well as a strong production team behind him, Enfield was also backed up by a fine supporting cast who included Paul Whitehouse, Kathy Burke, Gary Bleasdale, Joe McGann and Jon Glover. Guest appearances included Martin Clunes, Caroline Quentin ( both of whom Enfield worked with on the first series of 'Men Behaving Badly' ), Kate Robbins, Doon Mackichan and Alan Freeman. Kate St. John wrote the show's excellent theme tune.
Two series were made in total, concluding with a Christmas special in 1992 entitled 'Harry Enfield's Festive Television Programme'. A year and a half later, 'Television Programme' was revamped as 'Harry Enfield & Chums' which, if anything, was even funnier. 'Harry Enfield & Chums' retained many of the original characters but also introduced some new characters such as Kevin The Teenager and The Lovely Wobbly Randy Old Ladies.
Enfield seems to have lost his touch with comedy these days. His Sky One series 'Brand Spanking New Show' unsurprisingly never made it past the first series and his latest effort for the BBC entitled 'Ruddy Hell, It's Harry & Paul' was so poor it gave me the urge to stick my foot through the screen. Thankfully, we have repeats on UK Gold of 'Television Programme' and 'Enfield & Chums' to remind us of how great he once was. A pity about the continuing delay of the DVD release though.
'Television Programme' was a big step for the likable comic. It was here where he first introduced us to some of his best comic creations such as the revolting Wayne & Waynetta Slob, obnoxious know-it-all Mr. Don't Wanna Do That, buck-toothed Tim Nice But Dim, The Old Gits, The Scousers, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore inspired Lee & Lance ( who first appeared as car mechanics and then later as flower stall holders ) and ageing disc jockeys Smashey & Nicey ( both of which were based on real-life disc jockeys Alan Freeman and Tony Blackburn ), who ended each sketch by playing 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet' by The Bachman Turner Overdrive. Smashey & Nicey became cult characters, later landing their own one-off show, 'Smashey & Nicey - The End Of An Era'.
Some sketches fell flat such as those containing the annoying double-take brothers ( who would react with exaggerated surprise whenever the unexpected occurred ) or Les The Forgetful Barman ( ''Maureen, its getting a bit busy down here, my love!''. ''Les, you're not married!''. ). Fortunately, many of the sketches hit the target more than they missed.
As well as a strong production team behind him, Enfield was also backed up by a fine supporting cast who included Paul Whitehouse, Kathy Burke, Gary Bleasdale, Joe McGann and Jon Glover. Guest appearances included Martin Clunes, Caroline Quentin ( both of whom Enfield worked with on the first series of 'Men Behaving Badly' ), Kate Robbins, Doon Mackichan and Alan Freeman. Kate St. John wrote the show's excellent theme tune.
Two series were made in total, concluding with a Christmas special in 1992 entitled 'Harry Enfield's Festive Television Programme'. A year and a half later, 'Television Programme' was revamped as 'Harry Enfield & Chums' which, if anything, was even funnier. 'Harry Enfield & Chums' retained many of the original characters but also introduced some new characters such as Kevin The Teenager and The Lovely Wobbly Randy Old Ladies.
Enfield seems to have lost his touch with comedy these days. His Sky One series 'Brand Spanking New Show' unsurprisingly never made it past the first series and his latest effort for the BBC entitled 'Ruddy Hell, It's Harry & Paul' was so poor it gave me the urge to stick my foot through the screen. Thankfully, we have repeats on UK Gold of 'Television Programme' and 'Enfield & Chums' to remind us of how great he once was. A pity about the continuing delay of the DVD release though.