Charlie Chester

Pot Luck

1952 - United Kingdom

Television series devised by and starring British comedian Charlie Chester. 

Debuting in 1952 Pot Luck is notable as the first ever British audience participation series. Described as a "programme of prizes and surprises", it involved members of the audience passing a pot around until the music stopped. Whoever was then holding the pot had to come up on stage and take part in a quiz. 

Supporting Chester were Harry Seltzer and Leslie Welch the Memory Man. The show was produced by Walton Anderson who mainly worked on TV musical comedies and reviews.

Published on January 21st, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

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