Russ Abbot started out in showbiz as a drummer and backing singer for a band called 'The Black Abbots'. When the band eventually parted company, Russ then focused on expanding his talents as a comic and so broke into the world of television. His first work for television was in Granada's 'The Comedians' ( which launched the careers of many stars such as Frank Carson, Charlie Williams, Mike Reid and Bernard Manning ) and he then later went on to work with Freddie Starr on his short lived weekly series 'Freddie Starr's Variety Madhouse'. When Freddie quit, Russ replaced him and the show became 'Russ Abbot's Saturday Madhouse'. It was a good vehicle for the star's talents and he was supported ably by a more than competent support cast which included Les Dennis, Sherrie Hewson, Bella Emberg, Jeffrey Holland, Susie Blake and the underrated ( and sadly deceased ) Dustin Gee. Patti Gold and the then unknown Michael Barrymore also appeared from time to time.
Some of the gags were so old they creaked, for instance when Russ cycled on stage dressed as a French Onion Johnny, he slipped off the saddle and caught his groin on the crossbar, leading him to exclaim: ''Sacre bleu, my onions!'', but the audience lapped it up. Dustin Gee formed an excellent double act with Les Dennis. Some sketches saw them as the act they are probably best remembered for - as Vera Duckworth and Mavis Wilton from 'Coronation Street'. Gee, in particular, made a terrific Vera Duckworth. Gee also did a brilliant take off of Cliff Hall from The Spinners, with a hilarious musical item entitled 'We're A Folk Group' ( sung to the tune of 'Little Boxes' ).
Recurring characters included Boggles, Geeronimo, Special Agent 008 Basildon Bond, Cooperman ( half Superman, half Tommy Cooper ), Vince Prince & The Tone Deafs and orange haired, kilt-wearing C. U. Jimmy. One hilarious sketch had Jimmy appearing on 'University Challenge'. During a round, Jimmy was asked by Bamber Gasgoine ( played by Dustin Gee ): ''For five points, who is the person in this photo?''. We are then shown a photo of The Queen, at which point Jimmy responds: ''Stanley Baxter!''. Baxter was renowned for impersonating The Queen on his popular ( though inferior in my view ) LWT specials.
'Russ Abbot's Madhouse' sadly is no longer well-remembered. A great pity. What is even more unfortunate is that it is not yet out on DVD. Come on Network, why not un-earth it and let us all wallow in some good old comic nostalgia.
Some of the gags were so old they creaked, for instance when Russ cycled on stage dressed as a French Onion Johnny, he slipped off the saddle and caught his groin on the crossbar, leading him to exclaim: ''Sacre bleu, my onions!'', but the audience lapped it up. Dustin Gee formed an excellent double act with Les Dennis. Some sketches saw them as the act they are probably best remembered for - as Vera Duckworth and Mavis Wilton from 'Coronation Street'. Gee, in particular, made a terrific Vera Duckworth. Gee also did a brilliant take off of Cliff Hall from The Spinners, with a hilarious musical item entitled 'We're A Folk Group' ( sung to the tune of 'Little Boxes' ).
Recurring characters included Boggles, Geeronimo, Special Agent 008 Basildon Bond, Cooperman ( half Superman, half Tommy Cooper ), Vince Prince & The Tone Deafs and orange haired, kilt-wearing C. U. Jimmy. One hilarious sketch had Jimmy appearing on 'University Challenge'. During a round, Jimmy was asked by Bamber Gasgoine ( played by Dustin Gee ): ''For five points, who is the person in this photo?''. We are then shown a photo of The Queen, at which point Jimmy responds: ''Stanley Baxter!''. Baxter was renowned for impersonating The Queen on his popular ( though inferior in my view ) LWT specials.
'Russ Abbot's Madhouse' sadly is no longer well-remembered. A great pity. What is even more unfortunate is that it is not yet out on DVD. Come on Network, why not un-earth it and let us all wallow in some good old comic nostalgia.
