Harry Enfield occupies a place in the growth of alternative comedy during the 80's as one of its megastars. Initially relatively unknown for being one of several key voice actors on political satire 'Spitting Image' (1984-1996; alongside people like Steve Coogan), later appearances on camera, most noteably 'Saturday Live' (later 'Friday Night Live'), gave him the chance to air two poles-apart characters - Loadsamoney was the working class guy done good, Stavros was the immigrant Kebab Shop worker with broken English that befriends the late night customers who pass through his shop - and as a result became famous and seemingly wealthy pretty quickly, straight to mega-stardom and a permanent place in a generations memory.
In 1990 it was an fine early example of the alternative Sketch Show, 'Harry Enfields Television Programme' (later 'Harry Enfield and Chums' from '94 until its end in '97) that preceeded co-writer Paul Whitehouse's semi-permanent departure for other projects ('The Fast Show' 1994-2001, 'Happiness' and 'Help' most importantly) and co-star Kathy Burke's rise into something more crude-but-funny in 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' (1999-2001). Now, Enfield & Whitehouse are set to return to their biggest success story, the roots of their partnership (in the eye of the public) with a new series of Sketchy comedy for BBC One, to be Directed by Tristram Shapiro of 'Green Wing' and 'Absolute Power' fame.
The original incarnation of this duo (back to 1990 we go to further explore the key relationships of the intertwining world of British Comedy in relation to this duo) resulted in some memorable characters that, although often based around catchphrases and observations of repeating behaviour and potentially the insanity associated with it, was far deeper and smartly observed than much of the more cursory later work, and this is more retrospectively credited to Paul Whitehouse's influence more than to Enfield himself. It's an iconic partnership, a shame to see it reborn in a way as it risks spoiling the memory, but for now it's also tempting to watch out for the new show which is heading our way at an unspecified time this year - I would guess in the Autumns new season of shows - and it's also a time where the original shows, though often repeated over the years, get a new DVD appearance.
'The Harry Enfield Sketch Show' (2007 - ) Preview Clip from the BBC at YouTube.
'Women : Know Your Limits' Clip at YouTube; a very famous Enfield and Whitehouse Sketch.
Harry Enfield as Stavros Clip at YouTube.
Harry Enfield as Loadsamoney Clip at YouTube.
Harry Enfield at Wikipedia; In English.
I believe it's starting in April.
I am relly looking forward to harry enfields new show on bbc one i am a big fan of harry enfield so my couen james we love harry enfield and can not for him to come back on t.v.
Oh dear, the new Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse show is a complete disaster! With the wonderful duo Matt Lucas and David Walliams in the fantastic Little Britain making these two look 'amateurish'.
These two were embarrasing to watch and we found ourselves cringing the whole way through! I can honestly say we didn't find one bit of the show amusing, let alone funny! The sketch at the end -'Laurel & Hardy' was embarrasing at best and insulting to this legendary due (Laurel & Hardy, Not Enfield & Whitehouse!) and should not have been shown! This duo were absolutely fantastic in the 80s and a job to watch, with characters like Wayne & Waynetta Slob etc. but they are now sadly lacking and their format, although similar, is outdated and unfunny. If this is the best they can deliver then I very much doubt this new show will be a success!
First of all it's great to see these two back. Their accents, characterisations and writing are just brilliant. I admire them for coming up with a whole set of entirely new characters, and it is going to take time for the audience to get used to that. Were they to resurrect the old show and characters they would have been accused of lack of originality. What they have done is to attempt to come up with something completely new, and although I admit it isn't wall to wall laughter like some of the old shows, there are still flashes of brilliance. Particularly like the two old surgeons and the take on Bono and The Edge. When Bono rolled up his sleeve to show muti coloured rubber wrist bands up to his elbow of all the things he'd 'saved', and then rolled up the other sleeve to show his 'to do' list was hilarious. Stick with it. I'm sure it's a grower!
Gork: You must be watching a different show. The posh builders and as Jennie says, the U2 sketches are excellent. Very very funny. It might not be quite up to the standards of their old stuff but it is still top drawer comedy. To say it is amateurish and unfunny is just nonsense.
Well I agree with Gork.
I'm a big Paul Whitehouse fan, but not so much of Harry Enfield. Having watched the new show on Friday I am amazed that they got away with such rubbish. Had it been from anyone else and not had the Whitehouse-Enfield brand stuck on it, then it wouldn't have been shown. Total rubbish.
Don't agree? Ok, so tell me what was funny about the opening sketch... 70's man walks into garage and asks for Barbican lager? Truth is that nothing was funny about it. It’s just a case of flogging it enough until people get to know the character and then pretty much anything they say is funny. And the posh builders? Hmmm… pretty sure the Two Ronnies did that years ago. What a waste of a comedy programme opportunity.
I have to say that the Nelson Mandela sketches are very funny, especially the one a couple of weeks ago - "Nelson Mandela's Ecstasy Tablets, Let us Get Muntered!" Classic!
The Barbican lager bloke's punchline was right at the end of the show i.e. "welcome to the barbican big brother house" delivered in that annoying Geordie accent that C4 seems to favour, "It's just like the Big Brother house except with all the contestants taken oot". Genius, I would have preferred the word 'cunts' but I guess the BBC wouldn't allow it.
"Ok, so tell me what was funny about the opening sketch... 70's man walks into garage and asks for Barbican lager? Truth is that nothing was funny about it. It’s just a case of flogging it enough until people get to know the character and then pretty much anything they say is funny."
It is a send up of the Barbican lager adverts from the 70s in the UK. Based on some famous for drinking footballer, or something like that.
It's a very funny and very clever show. OK it may not be vintage Enfield & Whitehouse but these two are class acts and the jokes are there, albeit one trick sometimes. It's better than anything else at the moment and even with these two in second gear, is much funnier than the likes of Little Britain and Catherine Tate - amusing at first, but then boring and unlasting.
I hope it does get a second series. The viewing figures say it should. To please some maybe Harry should think about throwing in a few of the old timers very sparingly.
Funniest sketches have to be the american couple, the leccy spongers, i saw you coming, nelson mandella, and the surgeons. Top stuff.
I would never have guessed that Enfield and Whitehouse were so dependant upon their past-writers but there it is before us... take Higson out of the equation and they are bereft of any original material whatsoever. Resorting to pathetic sexual innuendo involving Laurel & Hardy was pathetic beyond belief.
I love the Beeb but they might consider checking the top shelf of the Has-been cupboard in future instead of blowing the dust from the bottom.
What have you gone and done,Paul?
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