Kenny Everett wasn't a stand up comedian, nor a comedy actor, but made his name presenting hilarious, zany radio shows for the BBC and Capital Radio in the sixties and seventies. When Thames suggested he try his humour on television in 1978, to replace the clapped out talent show Opportunity Knocks, he jumped at the chance and ten years of great comedy was born.Originally Kenny's shows were merely him linking pop acts and dancers, with witty comments in between, but soon the emphasis was more on the comedy and the music, and a hugely successful run of shows began for Thames and the BBC that had 16 million viewers at their peak. Characters like ageing Hell's Angel Sid Snot, punk rocker Gizzard Puke and, most memorable, the porn/horror actress Cupid Stunt( " done in the best possible taste") became hugely popular. Also the use of television special effects, rapid fire sketches and lingerie clad women like Cleo Rocos and dancers Hot Gossip were other reasons to watch.It is sad, though, apart from a tribute show on ITV recently, Kenny's shows have never been repeated on the main television channels since the nineties. I know some of the material won't be PC, but who cares, he was of his time and I'm sure a new generation of fans could be created by repeating his shows. After all, they were all done in the best possible taste.

The British public adored the late Kenny Everett, and it is not hard to see why. He was naturally funny, able to make the corniest of jokes ( and Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron supplied him with quite a few ) seem hysterical. After his massively successful Thames T.V. series came to an end ( Kenny was apparently unhappy at budget cuts, which amongst other things resulted in the removal of the 'Captain Kremmen' cartoons. The sketches had to be done from then on as live action with himself playing 'Kremmen' and Anna Dawson as 'Carla'. Also it was put head-to-head with the B.B.C.'s 'Top Of The Pops' on Thursday nights ), Kenny returned in triumph to the corporation that had once sacked him for cracking a joke about a transport minister's wife.His B.B.C. show was more or less the same except for the addition of a laugh-track. Instead of Arlene Phillips' 'Hot Gossip', Kenny's new ace card was the stunning Brazillian-born beauty Cleo Rocos. Other girls in the show were Kate Rabette ( later to play 'Cissy Meldrum' in the sitcom 'You Rang My Lord?' ), Paula Wootton, and Lesley Ann Sommers. But Cleo made the biggest impact, particularly when as 'Miss Whiplash' she was seen giving a chained Lionel Blair a taste of the leather lash.The quick fire bawdy humour was retained. Kenny's new characters included punk rocker 'Gizzard Puke', 'Julian Mince', a Hooray Henry of the first order, agony-aunt 'Verity Treacle', and the accident-prone D.I.Y. man Reg Prescott ( whose mishaps with saws and hammers were unusually gory for prime-time television! ), Marcel Wave, Morris Mimer and Cupid Stunt ( try saying that after a few drinks! ). A regular item of the 1985 series was 'Dallasty', a hilarious spoof of the U.S. soaps 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty' with Kenny playing most of the roles. One person who did not get the joke was Nina Myskow, then T.V. critic of 'The News Of The World' and a vocal supporter of glossy U.S. soaps. Perhaps the last line in the closing credits had something to do with it:CREATIVE REALISATIONASSOCIATES PRODUCTION A later series spoofed the Australian soap 'Neighbours' ( as 'Cobbers' ) with the entire cast in swim wear, save for Kenny, who wore a suit at all times. Ray Cameron left eventually, and was replaced by David Renwick and Andrew Marshall, who came up with 'Bo Diddley Of The Legion'. Another memorable sketch had Kenny as Rod Stewart, whose derrière keeps expanding to such an extent that he eventually lifts off.'The Kenny Everett Television Show' was a happy one. Stars of the calibre of Joanna Lumley, Richard Johnson, Billy Connolly, Pamela Stephenson, Cannon & Ball, John Wells, Terry Wogan, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Gareth Hunt, and Toyah Wilcox were keen to go on and join in the fun. Two hit records came out on the back of the show: the charmingly titled 'Snot Rap' in 1983 and 'Snot Rap Part 2' in 1985. In 1988, Kenny quit to return to his first love - radio. Though he made guest appearances on various game shows ( and even fronted one of his own called 'Brainstorm' ), he scaled down his television work. He died in 1995.Say what you will about Kenny, but British television was a far better place when he was around. After all, his show was 'all done in the best possible taste!'.

It is hard to see why Monty Python and Benny Hill have gone on to become so popular and legendary worldwide, while The Kenny Everett Television Series has remained virtually unknown. Kenny Everett is as Funny and fresh as the Pythons and certainly no worse than Benny Hill. Any Americans who havent heard of Cuddly Ken must track down the tapes, you will be guaranteed to love and laugh them to death. Favourite characters include, Cupid Stunt,Sid Snot, Gizzard Puke, Maurice Mimer, Spider-man, Marcel Wave and Up your way. Favourite sketches are any with Cupid or Sid, but inparticularly the hillarious Spider-man sketches. Like the one in wich Spidey tries every toilet and they are all being used untill he finally gets one and cant find his zip to, erm, releave himself. Or the one in wich Spidey jumps through a Daily Bugle window and breaks wind. To wich the cast and crew break up into fits of laughter. "Oh but im telling you the plot, go see it yourself. Its all done in the best Posssssssssssible taste!"

Classic television show and very hard to find these days. Shown recently on cable here in Oz. Hilarious sketches and Cleo Rocos is gorgeous. Very clever and a finite work as Kenny died a few years ago. Should have been a hit in America as Monty Python has been.