Comedy Connections(2003–2008)

Monty Python's Flying Circus

Surviving members of Monty Python, together with Carol Cleveland and others involved in the show, recall the making of the series, its influences and its impact.

Spitting Image

The story behind the succesful satirical puppet show.

Three of a Kind

The story behind 1980s sketch show Three Of A Kind, which launched the careers of Lenny Henry and Tracey Ullman.

Harry Enfield and Chums

The story of the sketch show Harry Enfield And Chums, where Enfield collaborated with Paul Whitehouse, Kathy Burke and Charlie Higson to create some memorable characters.

Goodness Gracious Me

Series charting the history of some of the best British comedy programmes looks at sketch show Goodness Gracious Me. A spin-off from the Real McCoy, it soon established itself by reflecting the reality of contemporary British Asian life while observing the conventions of a mainstream sketch comedy show. Interviewees include Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Nina Wadia, Sharat Sardana, Dave Lamb and producer Anil Gupta.

Not the Nine O'Clock News

This episode examines the satirical sketch show of the early 1980s.

A Bit of Fry and Laurie

A look at the early careers of the comedy partnership, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.

One Foot In The Grave

Bread

It Ain't Half Hot Mum

The New Statesman

Don't Wait Up

The Office

Just Good Friends

The Fast Show

Dinnerladies

Drop the Dead Donkey

Shooting Stars

To the Manor Born

'Allo 'Allo!

That Was The Week That Was

The Goodies

Birds of a Feather

Father Ted

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

A look at 1970s sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, including interviews with writer and stars.

Keeping Up Appearances

The Young Ones

Series celebrating great British comedy shows. Julia Sawalha looks at The Young Ones, which in the early 1980s transported a new generation of comedy writers and performers out of the clubs and into the nation's living rooms. Contributions from Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall, Ben Elton, writer Lise Mayer, producer Paul Jackson and director Geoff Posner.

Hi-de-Hi

Porridge

Writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, director-producer Sydney Lotterby and members of the cast give the inside story of Porridge.

The Good Life

Are You Being Served

Men Behaving Badly

Butterflies

Till Death Do Us Part

Yes, Minister

The Liver Birds

Ripping Yarns

Rab C Nesbitt

Series charting the history of the best of British comedy. A look at Rab C Nesbitt, the sitcom about the life of a working-class Glaswegian, which ran for thirteen years and survived the death of a cast member to win audiences of five million viewers. The programme reveals how the series was born out of a string of happy accidents, how it thrived despite its main star initially not wanting the role, how some Glaswegians struggled to accept the character and what a burden the character and resultant fame became for the star, Gregor Fisher. We also find out just where the 'C' came from in the eponymous character's name. With contributions from writer Ian Pattison, producer Colin Gilbert, actors Gregor Fisher, Elaine C Smith, Tony Roper, Barbara Rafferty and former BBC Two controller Alan Yentob.

Sorry!

Dad's Army

The series charting the history of the best of British comedy looks at Dad's Army, the gentle wartime sitcom that became one of the most popular and best-loved series of all time. Set in wartime Britain, the cast of Dad's Army featured many veterans of stage and screen including Arthur Lowe, John Laurie and Arnold Ridley. As well as creating a template for future ensemble sitcoms, the series established one of British TV's most successful writing partnership - that of Jimmy Perry and David Croft. But Comedy Connections reveals that neither writer gave Dad's Army its name. Originally called Fighting Tigers, the new title was imposed on the show by the BBC's then Head of Comedy, Michael Mills. Other surprises include John Laurie expressing his disappointment that, at the age of 73 and after a glittering theatre career, he should become most famous for 'this crap', what happened when Ian Lavender asked the show's writers whether his character, Pike, was in fact Wilson's son, and what producer David Croft did with the audience feedback report after the screening of the show's pilot. With contributions from writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft, plus actors Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender, Frank Williams, Bill Pertwee, Pamela Cundell and Wendy Richard.