Documentary style sitcoms or ‘mockumentaries’ have proven to be quite popular during the early noughties up until now.

Late in the evening on November 4, 2008, I discovered that the America in my head was real.

Charles Edward Springall was born in 1925 in the Elephant and Castle, Southwark, South London.

Alfred Hawthorne Hill was born in Southampton, Hampshire. During World War II, he was evacuated to various towns along the West Coast of England.

Up until now the live experience of Salford’s official bard has eluded me for thirty one years, although why I’m not quite sure.

Street Sounds is a new mag dedicated to punk, Ska, Mod, Casuals and all aspects of working class culture Issue #1 is out now costing £2 Here is the Mission Statement

Prospects was a comedy drama originally aired 19th February 1986, which ran for 12 episodes on Channel 4 at 21.00, produced by the recently regenerated Euston Films after a 20 year hiatus. Re- launched in March 2014, with former Eastenders producer Kate Harwood, as the new managing director.
     
Euston Films produced highly successful series’, for example Van der Valk, (1972–1973, 1977, 1991-1992) The Sweeney (1975 - 1978) and Minder (1979 - 1994),  and other highly rated ones such as Special Branch (1969-74), Widows (1983-85) Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983) and a few more . Much of their drama was gritty, usually set in the underworld or fringes of society, all shot on location, as opposed to a studio set, offering a more film style production to their drama.

Eric and Ernie had high hopes of breaking into the fresh new medium of television -they felt that they were 'right' for it. So when the critics slaughtered 'Running Wild' their confidence took quite a battering. At the end of the run of six fortnightly shows they returned to the stage to do what they did best - perform in front of a live audience.

On the 25th December 1977 over 28 million people tuned in to a television show that had become a national institution. As much a part of Christmas as the Queen's Speech, Turkey and Plum Pudding, Morecambe and Wise's Christmas Day Special was an event not to be missed. Like most success stories this kind of adoration didn't come overnight. In Morecambe and Wise's case took more than thirty years of hard work, setbacks and refining their act to evolve a style that was quite unique. An act that twelve years after the death of Eric Morecambe, had television viewers voting for them as the Best Light Entertainment Performers of all time. This is their story...

© Words Laurence Marcus.

When the series was screened on BBC2 the critics heaped praise on it finding David's story-telling hilarious and the new technique of using the filmed sequences an exciting innovation. In spite of Dave Allen's reputation for controversial material this first series took great pains to avoid anything crude or vulgar. True, he did take a side-swipe at religion and other sacred subjects but the only complaint that the first show had was not from a viewer.