This occasional series of comedies from Yorkshire Television starred and was written by John Bird and John Wells and presented a satirical look at the television industry from “behind the scenes” in a faux documentary style. Presidents, archbishops, nuns and housewives were all played by Bird and Wells.
In the debut episode, ‘Return To Leeds’, producer and documentary-making whizz kid Gavin Appleyard (an astute piece of characterisation from Wells) spent most of his time tracking down the leftist Leeds writer Sidney Bristow (Bird).
Many of the incidents that followed were no doubt a good deal nearer reality than most television executives would care to admit.
‘Deadline Leeds’ explored the workings of a current affairs TV magazine production under Brechtian programme chief Herr Klopstock (Bird), who was pressuring producer Mel Gingold (Wells) to put more “teeth” into his weekly show to increase viewing figures.
The focus switched to behind the scenes of a TV drama department in ‘The Play’s The Thing’, with Bird and Wells once again playing all the parts, including all the members of a group performing a scene from a Restoration play.
Director Myles Hynde (Wells) fearlessly allowed himself to be filmed as he worked painstakingly through his set and character problems and his outdoor filming to the final agonises of the camera rehearsal.
Keeping viewers in the picture was Hynde’s Head of Drama, Peter de Wolffe (Bird), who made a rare appearance in front of the cameras to link together the complex series of events, including irreconcilable clashes between artists, technicians, accountants and craftsmen.
‘Leeds Athletic’ revolved around an anonymous television company trying to give a completely new look to their sports programme.
They put their creativity to the test in viewing rooms, gambling clubs and strip joints.
The two Johns continued the send-up with ‘Le Prix de Leeds’, featuring the first Leeds International Festival of Television – Leeds’ answer to the Montreux Festival, which had the theme of “Peace and Goodwill between Nations”.
Unfortunately, there was a mass walkout of delegates over unsatisfactory accommodation, so that only a handful of small nations were left.
Episodes
Return To Leeds (1/8/1972) | Deadline Leeds (31/7/1973) | The Play’s the Thing (28/8/1973) | Leeds Athletic (16/7/1974) | Le Prix de Leeds (23/7/1974)
In the debut episode, ‘Return To Leeds’, producer and documentary-making whizz kid Gavin Appleyard (an astute piece of characterisation from Wells) spent most of his time tracking down the leftist Leeds writer Sidney Bristow (Bird).
Keeping viewers in the picture was Hynde’s Head of Drama, Peter de Wolffe (Bird), who made a rare appearance in front of the cameras to link together the complex series of events, including irreconcilable clashes between artists, technicians, accountants and craftsmen.
