Beyond A Joke

1 9 7 2 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

This BBC2 comedy sketch show featured Eleanor Bron, John Bird (both of whom were credited as writers alongside Michael Frayn) and Barrie Ingham.

Each show began with the trio sitting around a piano singing out of tune while Bron tinkled the ivories very badly.

Although only a short series (it ran for just six episodes), Beyond A Joke is still regarded as a prime example of the 1970s sketch show genre.

Only two episodes are known to still exist, in black-and-white (even though they were originally made and aired in colour).

Eleanor Bron
John Bird
Barrie Ingham

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