Absolutely

Absolutely

1989 - United Kingdom

Absolutely drew together a new breed of relatively unknown (mainly Scottish) comics and pretty much gave them free licence to create a collection of surreal and silly sketches and songs. Like Monty Python years before the performers were also the writers and the sketches stretched from the sublime to the ridiculous, but unlike Python, Absolutely featured a number of recurring characters who have since become cult figures. Morwenna Banks (now an established actress, writer and director) often played a whining St Trinian's type schoolgirl sitting on a large table or desk (to make her appear small) and the sketches she appeared in often ended in her exclaiming "It is, it's twue!"; Jack Docherty was the extreme Scottish nationalist and playwright MacGlashan ("All English are pooves"); John Sparkes developed the character of a grumpy old man called Bert, complete with Zimmer frame; Stoneybridge Town Council (played by the entire cast) were originally created to lampoon the (then) trend of small-town self-promotional travelogue videos, but soon became a parody of all local councils. Other members of the cast included Moray Hunter, Peter Baikie and Gordon Kennedy. 

After the show finished in 1993 a spin-off appeared; Mr. Don and Mr. George (6 episodes) and a pilot appeared on BBC2 for a series called Mac, a sitcom based around MacGlashan and his long-suffering brother Finley. 

Published on November 26th, 2018. Noel Onely.

Read Next...

At Last the 1948 Show

An early outing for many of the team that would eventually form 'Monty Python', the '1948 Show' allowed the writers to indulge in a zany style of comedy that had been considered the domain of 'The Goons' for so long, but which hitherto had failed to make much headway on British television.

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show

Arthur's Treasured Volumes

It's title inspired by the initials of the television company that produced the series, Arthur's Treasured Volumes appears to be, if the sole surviving episode is an example, an underrated and unfairly forgotten TV gem.

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show

Poirot

Adaptation of arguably Agatha Christie's most famous character Detective Hercule Poirot

Also released in 1989

Seinfeld

A show about nothing.

Also released in 1989

Alas Smith and Jones

British sketch comedy show that followed hot on the heels of Not The Nine O'Clock News which also featured the programme's stars, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show

How Do You View

Pioneering comedy sketch show starring Terry-Thomas

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show

Quantum Leap

"...And so Dr. Beckett finds himself leaping from life to life, striving to put right what once went wrong and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home."

Also released in 1989

Beyond A Joke tv series

Short lived sketch comedy starring Eleanor Bron and John Bird

Also tagged Comedy Sketch Show