Hale and Pace were a strange signing for ITV. They came up the alternative comedy route. They made appearances on The Young Ones in the early to mid 1980s then various Channel 4 sketch comedy.
So it was unusual to see them get a weekend slot in the late evening. The first episode sees them joking about the increased budget with nude dancing showgirls.
They also seemed to have shifted somewhat from their alternative comedy roots and become slightly mainstream.
There were several singing and dancing sketches more inspired by the Two Ronnies. Such as life up north for the chubby working classes. Pavarotti sings Status Quo was amusing enough.
Then there was Billy and Johnny, the children television presenters. This once was how to make babies in a threesome with an early appearance from Ainsley Harriott, later to become a celebrity cook.
Hale and Pace most famous creations were the intimidating The Two Rons. They certainly were edgy and slightly menacing in their Channel 4 appearances.
By this time you can see the punchlines coming from a mile away.
The first episode got newspaper headlines over the microwaved cat sketch. They did not put a kitten in the microwave, they just took one out that they had put in earlier. It was clearly a mangy stuffed frazzled cat.
The duo certainly put an effort in for the first episode. Their ITV series lasted for 10 years. Now it is hard to remember that they were once regarded as a successful comedy double act never mind alternative. It's the law of the jungle innit.
So it was unusual to see them get a weekend slot in the late evening. The first episode sees them joking about the increased budget with nude dancing showgirls.
They also seemed to have shifted somewhat from their alternative comedy roots and become slightly mainstream.
There were several singing and dancing sketches more inspired by the Two Ronnies. Such as life up north for the chubby working classes. Pavarotti sings Status Quo was amusing enough.
Then there was Billy and Johnny, the children television presenters. This once was how to make babies in a threesome with an early appearance from Ainsley Harriott, later to become a celebrity cook.
Hale and Pace most famous creations were the intimidating The Two Rons. They certainly were edgy and slightly menacing in their Channel 4 appearances.
By this time you can see the punchlines coming from a mile away.
The first episode got newspaper headlines over the microwaved cat sketch. They did not put a kitten in the microwave, they just took one out that they had put in earlier. It was clearly a mangy stuffed frazzled cat.
The duo certainly put an effort in for the first episode. Their ITV series lasted for 10 years. Now it is hard to remember that they were once regarded as a successful comedy double act never mind alternative. It's the law of the jungle innit.
