Another classic from Yorkshire Television, this hilarious and unusual game show series was guaranteed to give viewers a laugh a minute . . . literally.
The teeming working men’s clubs in the North of England – and especially in Yorkshire – had long afforded a good living for legions of entertainers, some of whom rose to star status.
Quick-witted Leeds-born Barry Cryer would select a random topic, challenge a comic to tell a joke based on it, and strive to control six wisecracking comedians from the realms of clubland.
If one of the opposition thought he knew the gag, he could interrupt by pressing an alarm, then he would have to complete it.
There was also a solo spot where a comic was required to extract as many laughs as possible from the audience in minute-long patter sessions.
The guest line-up included big names of British comedy such as Ted Ray, Les Dawson, Arthur Askey, Ray Martine, David Nixon, Warren Mitchell, Bob Monkhouse, Jack Douglas, Alfred Marks, Lance Percival, Jack Smethurst, Roy Kinnear, Sid James and Clive Dunn.
The first few episodes also featured the glamorous Isabella Rye – a girl of Amazonian proportions – as hostess.
The show was the brainchild of Canadian comedian Ray Cameron and Mike King, one of the singing King Brothers.
Chairman
Barry Cryer Team Captains
Les Dawson
Ted Ray
Bob Monkhouse
Warren Mitchell
Leslie Crowther Jack Douglas
June Whitfield
Arthur Askey
Jon Pertwee
Charlie Chester
Diana Dors
Michael Bentine Comedians
Clive Dunn
Arthur Askey
Ray Martine
Alfred Marks
Norman Collier
Jack Smethurst
Tim Brooke-Taylor
David Nixon
Roy Kinnear
John Cleese
Sid James
Clement Freud
Deryck Guyler
Eric Sykes
Bernard Bresslaw
Dickie Henderson
Video
You May Also Like
Dawson's Funny Old Farm 1 9 7 3 (UK) 9 x 15 minute episodes Thames Television gave ventriloquist Dawson Chance his…
Laughter Show, The 1 9 8 4 - 1 9 9 1 (UK) 51 x 30 minute episodes Dustin…
Charlie 1 9 8 4 (UK) 4 x 60 minute episodes Scruffy private detective Charlie Alexander (David Warner)…
Jamaica Inn 1 9 8 3 (UK) 3 x 60 minute episodes Adapted from the romantic novel by Daphne…
The teeming working men’s clubs in the North of England – and especially in Yorkshire – had long afforded a good living for legions of entertainers, some of whom rose to star status.
There was also a solo spot where a comic was required to extract as many laughs as possible from the audience in minute-long patter sessions.
Chairman
Jack Douglas
Comedians
