British Laughter Makers and their TV Comedy Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. He once answered the telephone by picking up a pet. Which star of "One Foot in the Grave" also appeared in Duck Patrol"?

Answer: Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1936. Before becoming an actor he worked as a research scientist because he had had his aspirations dashed by his English teacher at school who told him that his distinctive adenoidal voice would make this prospect very unlikely.

In addition to the two series featured in this question he has also appeared in several other TV series including Dr Who, several film and stage plays. He is also a noteworthy director.

He became Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1996 and was awarded an OBE in 1994.

He has strong political beliefs and is a life long supporter of the Labour Party in the UK.

2. In the US version of this British classic comedy serial - "Porridge" - I understand several characters had to be used to show the same range of pathos, bathos and sheer comedic delight portrayed by one seriously good British comic actor. Which series was the sequel to "Porridge"?

Answer: Going Straight

The TV series 'Porridge' was a sitcom created by the writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and was first broadcast by the BBC in the 1970s. The story lines followed the lives of some prisoners of Slade Prison. Norman Stanley Fletcher, nicknamed 'Fletch' was the main character who was brilliantly played by the late Ronnie Barker.
There was a sequel series called 'Going Straight' which was produced in 1978. This series completed the story of Fletch and Godber's lives after they left prison after completing their respective sentences.
The sequel series was thought to be disappointing by even faithful fans.

3. In his heyday This man was the paramount British impressionist and no politician or young Royal was safe from his sometimes gentle and sometimes pointed barbs. Name this impressionist who had several BBC series from 1974 onwards, but moved to ITV in 1982?

Answer: Mike Yarwood

Mike Yarwood was a top class British impressionist and comedian. During the mid 1960s to the early 1980s he was Britain's top rated impressionist on television.
He had his own TV series on both BBC and later ITV channels. He first made his name as a performer on the 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium Variety Show' in 1964. His take on the leading politicians of the day, especially Prime Minister Harold Wilson made his fortune.

4. They were not every body's cup of tea, admittedly but they did make me laugh at times. They were a real pair of brothers called Mike and Bernie Winters who top-billed in the UK for a number of years. But, what was the name of Bernie Winter's double-act dog?

Answer: Schnorbitz

Mike and Bernie Winters were a comedy partnership which first appeared on British TV in 1955. They really made the big time with their own TV show that ran from 1965 to 1973. The brothers fell out and the act collapsed in 1978.
Bernie went solo in the UK appearing on Thames Television with his new partner a St. Bernard named Schnorbitz.
Incidentally, later the comic Harry Hill also introduced a St. Bernard named Schnorbitz into his act.

5. From "Up North" this act was perhaps an acquired taste. He could be very funny. He has pursued other paths of entertainment since but who was the one-time TV stand-up comedian known as the 'Rochdale Cowboy'?

Answer: Mike Harding

One of my joys in doing research for my quizzes has been rediscovering some partially remembered memories. Finding the "Rochdale Cowboy" again took me to my attic space to look for some old LPs. I had forgotten how funny he could be.
Mike Harding was born in Manchester and became known as "The Rochdale Cowboy" after one of his early hit records. He has been a TV and radio broadcaster, stand-up comic, photographer, traveller, filmmaker, playwright, poet, author and musician.

6. The long running BBC radio comedy series 'The Navy Lark' was inspired by the experiences of one of its actors during his service in the Royal Navy during World War II. Who was this actor?

Answer: Jon Pertwee

Jon Pertwee was an officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was a member of the Naval Intelligence Department and later joined the crew of the battleship HMS Hood. Luckily for him he was transferred to other duties a few days before the Hood was tragically sunk with the loss of nearly all hands.

7. I must admit that I found only some parts of these series amusing but the general public seemed to take to it over the years. So, please tell me which spoof chat show featured a band led by Glen Ponder?

Answer: I'm Alan Partridge

British comedian Steve Coogan played Alan Partridge, who was a fictional, and spoof television and radio presenter. The series was very popular and was produced as two radio and three television series.

8. This question took me back to the dark days of the pessimism and philosophies of Uncle Mort. He appeared as a character in a series called "Didn't Know You Cared" but can you tell me the name of the writer of the books on which the series was based?

Answer: Peter Tinniswood

Peter Tinniswood (December 21, 1936 - January 9, 2003) was a playwright, journalist, a television-script writer, and the author of a large number of popular novels and short stories.
He wrote over a dozen novels and several plays. His humorous work encapsulates gritty, dark, northern humour and many references to cricket.

9. Which comedy starred Victoria Wood and Julie Walters as long-lost sisters who are reunited on a TV show?

Answer: Pat and Margaret

The storyline of 'Pat and Margaret' was about two very different sisters. One was a working class waitress in a motorway service station and the other a rich and successful US soap star. They were reunited on a popular TV show called 'Magic Moments' after 27 years apart.

10. In the original series on British TV of "Men Behaving Badly", who played Dermot?

Answer: Harry Enfield

Not many realise that it was in fact Henry Enfield who was cast first as the character 'Dermot' in this much loved but boorish (and beer-ish) British TV comedy. Enfield then persuaded his friend Martin Clunes to join the production.

It was shown first on ITV but they cancelled it after just two series. The BBC decided to take it up and broadcast from 1994.

The series was based on an early novel by Simon Nye who was persuaded also to write the screenplay for the series.

Source: Author bracklaman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Some of my favourite laughter makers feature in this little quiz. I'm sure that you will recall some rib-tickling moments as you take this quiz.

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