In this video, I’m going to be talking about three TV sitcoms that got a lot of negative attention because people thought they were offensive. We’ll explore why these shows caused such a stir. Two of them were just pilot episodes, and never actually became full-blown series. And one show, even though it was finished, was cancelled before it even aired in the UK!
Category: Series
The UK’s Most Controversial Sitcoms Episode 2
In this video I’m going to be looking at three more television sitcoms that were criticised for their offensive content. We will see why people considered these shows so controversial. They all lasted for several series, and one show was the writer’s favourite. However, they have all suffered from – mostly retrospective – criticism.
The UK’s Forgotten Sitcoms (1950s and 1960s)
Television in the 1950s was still relatively new. Sitcoms were evolving, and audience tastes were different. These shows, often unseen for decades and in some cases possibly lost entirely, represent a unique window into the cultural landscape of the era. Join me as we explore the stories behind these largely forgotten pieces of television history.
This is a bit of a “bumper episode” with 12 ‘forgotten’ sitcoms, and references to about 12 other sitcoms!
The UK’s Forgotten Sitcoms (2003 to 2008)
I’ve been digging through old magazines, newspapers, and online reviews to find out what critics and viewers thought about sitcoms, way back in the early days of TV and even up to now. In this video, I’m taking a look at some sitcoms you might have forgotten about that aired between 2003 and 2008.
The UK’s Forgotten Sitcoms (1970 to 1976)
I’ve been on a real nostalgia trip, diving into books, old newspapers, magazines, and even those forgotten corners of the internet to see what people thought about sitcoms – from the very first ones to the shows we’re watching today.
In this, the first of five videos, we’re going to take a look at some sitcoms that might have faded from your memory. Some were absolute gems, while others… well, let’s just say they might be best left to the history books.
The UK’s Sitcoms loved by viewers, hated by critics
It’s a familiar story: the public falls head over heels for a TV show, while the critics remain largely unimpressed. In this YouTube video we delve into four beloved British sitcoms that perfectly illustrate this divide. These shows demonstrate that sometimes, the audience knows best. I’ve sifted through countless articles, websites, and reports to uncover the public’s affection and the media’s more measured responses.
The Missing Episodes
In my “Summer Wine Decanted” series, I have covered the Pilot and all 294 episodes of “Last of the Summer Wine” that were broadcast. But did you know there could be two missing “Last of the Summer Wine” episodes?
The Christmas Episodes
- Do you remember Foggy buying 100 Christmas trees?
- Or Barry going missing on Christmas Day?
- Or Howard trying to hide Christmas presents from the two women in his life?
As it’s the festive season, what better time to remember some classic Christmas “Last of the Summer Wine” episodes…
Bloopers – the bits you weren’t meant to see…
We spent about 30 days over a period of ten months in 2022 and 2023 filming for the “Summer Wine Decanted” series. It did not always go to plan. Here are some of the technical failures, fluffs and – as Dennis Norden would say – “cock-ups”… These are not the only out-takes, often what goes wrong is not captured by the camera!
If you watched the YouTube Premiere of “The Last Drop” then you may have already seen this as a bonus video!
The BBC TV sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine” was the longest-running comedy programme in Britain, and the longest running situation comedy in the world. The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series were broadcast.
The Last Drop
“The Last Drop” will be a special YouTube Premiere on Sunday 29 October 2023, at 7:00pm (GMT)
This is the final episode in my “Summer Wine Decanted” series, so I went back to Holmfirth for one last time. While there I visited The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom to meet someone who has been a fan of the show for forty years, appeared as an extra, and has helped with my research: Terry Bartlam.
If you join us at from about 5pm you can chat and leave messages. Peter and Leigh will be online to reply. During the Premiere you will be able to continue chatting and we will try and answer questions during the video. You can always leave comments and other questions in the comment section under the video after the Premiere has ended.
In the video we will also reveal some of what went in to making this series of videos, and some of what was cut out!
Special thanks to Dennis and Jackie Fussell at The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom, and my guest Terry Bartlam