1 9 5 8 (UK)
13 x 30 minute episodes 1 9 8 3 (UK)
13 x 30 minute episodes
Based on an American show of the same name, this ad-libbed comedy game show from ITV featured Bud Flanagan and The Crazy Gang doing their best to make contestants laugh in three one-minute sessions. For every second a contestant did NOT laugh, they won five shillings.
If the contestant kept a straight face for a full minute, another performer took over.
If the contestant could then hold out for the full three minutes, they would have accumulated £45, and – for lasting the full time – received a bonus of another £45.
The performers could use any means they liked to get the laughs – Tell monologues, sing songs, dance, mime, use stooges, props, gags . . . but they mustn’t actually touch the contestants.
The show was revived in 1983 as a Friday night ITV game show produced by Tyne Tees, starring Bernie Winters and a cavalcade of comic guests, including Mick Miller, Fogwell Flax, Bryan Marshall, Windsor Davies, Duggie Small, Brian Conley and Bobby Davro.
Thirty-seven up-and-coming comedians appeared in the series, three in each show, with comedy magician Clive Webb appearing in three shows.
If the contestant kept a straight face for a full minute, another performer took over.
