Ted Rogers Brains Burn In Hell- later on TalkingPicturesTV

[clarkgwent]

Last week, as is my wont, I watched Sunday Night At The London Palladium on Channel 81 of my Freeview. It contained the single worst comedy I have ever seen. Ted Rogers (as mentioned in song by Mark E Smith see header) in a sketch with Sasha Distel, which involved racism, sexism, women's knickers, and homophobia. Twice! (as Distel and Rogers were squeezing what they imagined were extra laffs out of the deal by Ted giving Sasha a "comedy lesson") 

I used to watch this show when I was but a lad and figured I should watch it again to see if it was really as awful as I recall. It was, if anything, worse.  Tonight at 9 Mike and Bernie Winters are on, with Rogers again hosting. It has the potential to be even worse, if such a thing is possible.

[checkoutgirl]

How can I watch this? My interest in Ted has increased exponentially lately thanks to Limmy.

[Ballad of Ballard Berkley]

Yes, we need to see this.

[ollyboro]

Good spot. Looking forward to The New Dollys.

[clarkgwent]

Channel 81 on the Freeview I don't know what the hell else it's on.

https://talkingpicturestv.co.uk/

[Gurke and Hare]

Of course there's someone doing a Frank Spencer impression.

[ollyboro]

Well,  if anybody ever has ever wondered what the Bee Gees doing an American Trilogy would sound like, there's your answer. Ted Rogers opening bit was poorly delivered shit. Ronnie Barker could have probably rescued his share price joke. Only one passing reference to homosexuals. Still time.

[clarkgwent]

Totally carcrash moments but none as bad as the Sasha/Ted sketch. More homosexuals and knickers. And hippies, for some unaccountable reason (this being 1974.) As for The New Dollys- just plain weird! 

[bgmnts]

Limmy was spot on.

[dissolute ocelot]

Talking Pictures is normally good about giving very long warnings at the start of their films about how they were made in different times, different attitudes, outdated racial stereotypes, not suitable for all viewers. Do they do that for Ted Rogers?

[Autopsy Turvey]

Talking Pictures is normally good about giving very long warnings at the start of their films about how they were made in different times, different attitudes, outdated racial stereotypes, not suitable for all viewers.

Such a silly thing for them to do, as if anyone's tuning into Talking Pictures TV for up-to-the-minute Guardian-approved BAME POC representation, as if anyone watching a war film from the 1940s will hear the word "Jap" and start to hyperventilate.

Whenever they make this announcement I'm always on the alert throughout the film, looking for the outdated racial stereotype. Very often I fail to spot any, except of course the outdated stereotypes of white English people, but I presume that's not what they're talking about.

[Gurke and Hare]

Whenever they make this announcement I'm always on the alert throughout the film, looking for the outdated racial stereotype to wank over.

They should have had a warning before this that it was seriously shit, and and of a quality that is unacceptably poor in any era ever. I know it later became a hoary old chestnut that Mike Winters was so bad Bernie replaced him with a dog, but there's a certain amount of truth in that.

[Ambient Sheep]

Such a silly thing for them to do, as if anyone's tuning into Talking Pictures TV for up-to-the-minute Guardian-approved BAME POC representation, as if anyone watching a war film from the 1940s will hear the word "Jap" and start to hyperventilate.

I don't think they used to, but unfortunately they have had to start doing it, otherwise they get into trouble with Ofcom... and sometimes they still do anyway.

For example, a couple of years ago they got into deep shit with Ofcom because of an old episode of Scotland Yard where a car driver said to a black guy being released from prison "Hop in, sambo!" whilst refusing a lift to his white companion.  Apparently the editor who reviewed the film was young enough that they'd never heard of the term "sambo" before and thus didn't flag it up.

Despite explaining this, despite apologising, despite saying they don't defend broadcasting it on grounds of historical context, despite saying it had already been edited so that the word would be muted on repeats, despite pointing out that the word wasn't used in a derogatory context (almost the opposite in fact), despite pointing out that Ofcom let off GOLD for the use of "p**i" in OFAH, Ofcom came down on them like a ton of bricks, in what seems like a ridiculously harsh judgement (especially if you read these things regularly).

You can read it for yourself, starting on page 4 of this:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/109235/issue-345-broadcast-on-demand-bulletin.pdf

Seems like someone at Ofcom has it in for them, to me.

[Autopsy Turvey]

Seems like someone at Ofcom has it in for them, to me.

Soft target I suppose, an old man in his shed, like the BBC throwing that elderly local radio DJ under the bus for playing the famously vile fascist hate rant The Sun Has Got His Hat On. One complaint, I ask you, ONE complaint, presumably from the sort of person who always complains, ie a friendless busybody with mental health problems and too much time on their hands.

Always reminded of Fry & Laurie's Right To Reply parody when the issue of TV complaints comes up, we all know it but after wading through bad Ofcom decisions it helps stop the teeth itching:

Hugh And for goodness sake what about my children? No thought was given to this at all.

Elspeth Did your children see the ... ?

Hugh No they didn't. They didn't see it. But only thanks to the purest good fortune that they don't happen to have been born yet, otherwise I dread to think what damage may have been caused. It was simply disgusting.

Elspeth Yes, the ...

Hugh Simply disgusting.

Pause. Elspeth thinks that Hugh has stopped.

Elspeth Turning to you Mr ...

Hugh Simply disgusting.

Elspeth Mm. Colin Essdale, as the producer, what do ... ?

Stephen (Nodding caringly) Mm. Mm. Mm. Mm. This is obviously difficult ... mm ... perhaps it would help if I explained that I couldn't give a flying toss about Mrs Barratt or her feeble views.

Elspeth Er, well the ...

Hugh I beg your pardon?

Stephen Now, if you don't mind, or even if you do ... I have only an estimated 45 years left on this planet and I don't propose to waste a further second of them talking to a confused old gasbag like you.

[Ignatius_S]

Talking Pictures is normally good about giving very long warnings at the start of their films about how they were made in different times, different attitudes, outdated racial stereotypes, not suitable for all viewers. Do they do that for Ted Rogers?

For a considerable time, probably a couple of years I would say, it's been standard for programming on TP to have had a brief message before programmes similar to the ones before films.

For a series (such as this one) the message will say when it was made and may contain language and attitudes of that time, which some viewers may find offensive.

Such a silly thing for them to do, as if anyone's tuning into Talking Pictures TV for up-to-the-minute Guardian-approved BAME POC representation, as if anyone watching a war film from the 1940s will hear the word "Jap" and start to hyperventilate...

Not really - the message gives the following content some context and it's standard for programming on all sort of channels to advise viewers.

...Whenever they make this announcement I'm always on the alert throughout the film, looking fo the outdated racial stereotype. Very often I fail to spot any, except of course the outdated stereotypes of white English people, but I presume that's not what they're talking about.

Personally, I just watch the film. However....

Yes, there are indeed outdated stereotypes of British people and personally, would say that does include what the message is about - and attitudes.

In a film like Mr Denning Drives North, a John Mills film from the 1950s, the comments and protrayals of Johny Foreigner (in the shape of Herbert Lom) and gypsies rather raise the eyebrows - and a message like the one TP shows beforehand is entirely appropriate.

A comedy such as Folly to be Wise, one that I own in an Alistair Sim collection, again perfectly appropriate to have that message. Not a bad film on the whole, albeit one that should be better considering the pedigree, but the streak of male chauvinism and anti-intellectualism (particularly concerning one working class private) is decidedly dated - and for me, it really marred the film.

I don't think they used to, but unfortunately they have had to start doing it, otherwise they get into trouble with Ofcom... and sometimes they still do anyway.

For example, a couple of years ago they got into deep shit with Ofcom because of an old episode of Scotland Yard...

That example was *before* they had those messages. Not long after, there was another complaint upheld, which I think was the impetus to include them.

[Autopsy Turvey]

the streak of male chauvinism and anti-intellectualism (particularly concerning one working class private) is decidedly dated - and for me, it really marred the film.

See I enjoy these moments, they tend to be funny in a Cholmondley-Warner way, and it's good to be reminded that the past wasn't all nice and cosy and better than nowadays.

The best one was the warning last week before a Radio 4 drama set in 1993, "which contains attitudes prevalent at the time". Which is all very well, but a significant proportion of the listenership would also like a warning before shows that contain attitudes prevalent now.

[Utter Shit]

I don't think they used to, but unfortunately they have had to start doing it, otherwise they get into trouble with Ofcom... and sometimes they still do anyway.

For example, a couple of years ago they got into deep shit with Ofcom because of an old episode of Scotland Yard where a car driver said to a black guy being released from prison "Hop in, sambo!" whilst refusing a lift to his white companion.  Apparently the editor who reviewed the film was young enough that they'd never heard of the term "sambo" before and thus didn't flag it up.

Despite explaining this, despite apologising, despite saying they don't defend broadcasting it on grounds of historical context, despite saying it had already been edited so that the word would be muted on repeats, despite pointing out that the word wasn't used in a derogatory context (almost the opposite in fact), despite pointing out that Ofcom let off GOLD for the use of "p**i" in OFAH, Ofcom came down on them like a ton of bricks, in what seems like a ridiculously harsh judgement (especially if you read these things regularly).

You can read it for yourself, starting on page 4 of this:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/109235/issue-345-broadcast-on-demand-bulletin.pdf

Seems like someone at Ofcom has it in for them, to me.

Some of the complaints not upheld in that pdf are great. Someone complained that Naked Attraction contained nudity, another that Mrs. Brown doesn't meet "generally accepted standards" (fair enough). Also someone complained about an advert for FA Cup third round day, which is mad.

[Jake Thingray]

And hippies, for some unaccountable reason (this being 1974.) 

Ted Rogers desperately wanted to be seen as a comic in the topical, wisecracking American manner -- the nearest he got was sneering at hippies, in the same way Bob Hope had been doing in his live act.

[mippy]

I heard a show on Radio 4 Extra about four years ago, before which the announcer gave a warning about it being made some years previously (I think it was from the 70s, can't remember what it was so probably not a memorable classic or an example of notable early work) and therefore standards were different etc. Seemed OK to begin with, then a comedian came on to tell jokes about how going to Bradford made him feel like the white spot on a domino.

But then I found the Disability Special of Radio Active a bit of a strange one to keep in the current broadcast rotation, and nobody here agreed with me on that one. So maybe I'm one of those snowflakes Laurence Fox goes on about.

[mippy]

Ofcom have upheld several complaints about 'Melting Pot', as one of the verses I think has a less currently acceptable illusion to Asian people.

The thing that baffled me recently was that Lil Louis' French Kiss was fine for airplay back in the day, but gets complained about/investigated now. (As someone who occasionally deals with viewer complaints I would have expected it to be very much the other way around.)

[clarkgwent]

Ted Rogers desperately wanted to be seen as a comic in the topical, wisecracking American manner -- the nearest he got was sneering at hippies, in the same way Bob Hope had been doing in his live act.

Presumably hippies were topical when Hope did it. 

It's a Jim Dale hosted SNATLP this coming Sunday. Never shown before (presumably some seventies mishap like an IRA threat, a strike, or a power cut occurred on the scheduled date of showing.)
Dale was on a few weeks ago and he sung a Jake Thackeray song (!) rather well, while sat on the floor.  We also get Engelbert, Cliff, and Bob Monkhouse. Oh, and the Cuban Cossacks.

[Ignatius_S]

...Dale was on a few weeks ago and he sung a Jake Thackeray song (!) rather well, while sat on the floor.  We also get Engelbert, Cliff, and Bob Monkhouse. Oh, and the Cuban Cossacks.

Why the exclamation mark?

[Brundle-Fly]

Why the exclamation mark?

Maybe because it's a surprise to hear a Jake Thackery cover sung by the bloke out the Carry On films in a light entertainment show? It's be like Shane Ritchie singing an Edward Barton number on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Take Away. Actually, it is nothing like that, I just wanted to type that sentence.

[clarkgwent]

'cos of that and answering a person with a JT parody name. Cliff just been on with a song Take Me High, from that film where he invents the Brumburger.   

[Ignatius_S]

Maybe because it's a surprise to hear a Jake Thackery cover sung by the bloke out the Carry On films in a light entertainment show? It's be like Shane Ritchie singing an Edward Barton number on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Take Away. Actually, it is nothing like that, I just wanted to type that sentence.

It wouldn't have been a surprise at the time, so was interested what element - or all - might be considered surprising now.

When the showed aired, Thackray's work had been a staple of various TV shows, whilst Dale had success in a number of fields (stand-up, theatre, singer, composer, presenter, film) and was associated with more than the Carry Ons.

Thackray became well known to television audiences, thanks to regular appearances on various popular shows, such as The Braden Beat and Lord help us, That's Life.

Prior to the Carry Ons, Dale was a household name as a presenter on the 6:15 Special and subsequently as a pop star and songwriter. Dale is very self-effacing about the latter and amusingly so, for the songs he wrote for Twinky (for those who haven't seen it, the film is about a middle-aged writer of pornography, played by Charles Bronson, who marries a schoolgirl) but didn't do too badly and Georgy Girl is an obvious standout.

During the Carry Ons (and after), Dale continued to be a television personality and by the time, of Palladium hosting duties, hadn't made a Carry On for several years. The main reason he stopped doing them was Laurence Oliver asking Dale (due to various stage work) to join the National Theatre and Peter Rogers refusing to alter the shooting dates of Carry on up the Jungle, thereby presenting with quite the dilemma: join the company of the newly-formed Young Vic or to appear as Jungle Boy. A tricky decision that would require minutes, if not seconds...

[Better Midlands]

The thing that baffled me recently was that Lil Louis' French Kiss was fine for airplay back in the day, but gets complained about/investigated now. (As someone who occasionally deals with viewer complaints I would have expected it to be very much the other way around.)

Radio 1 didn't actually playlist French Kiss despite it reaching #2, although I think this was primarily due to the fact that it was an instrumental and Radio 1 didn't play instrumental music at this time, a policy they stuck with until Robert Miles' Children charted - this was the sole reason that so many 90's big club tracks had vocals foisted on them.

I wish Radio 1 would try and be ahead of the game instead of behind it; by the time things go on the playlist they're dead in the clubs, they're dead on pirate radio. You wouldn't have to make that radical a change to get some of the harder records straight on the air... I mean, you do get this strange double think. You say to them 'why do you play all this Kylie and Jason?' And they say 'well, people want to hear it, it's Number Three in the charts...' But then they didn't play the Lil Louis record. They said people don't want to hear it. And you said to them, 'but it's Number Two in the charts', and they go, 'yeah! but...' So they use the same argument to prove two different things.   

https://peel.fandom.com/wiki/Lil_Louis

[daf]

Think that was the last show - back to 1957 next week - so, just 4 surviving episodes out of 15 for the 1973/74 revival.

Amazingly, it seems this was the first time it's been seen on TV :

Two episodes were cancelled mid-broadcast due, apparently to a reported bomb scare. One of these, hosted by Jim Dale, was broadcast for the first time on Talking Pictures UK on Sunday 3rd May, 2020.

Here's the first bomb scare taking the 23 December 1973 edition off air - Video clip / Jim Dale remembers

[Jake Thingray]

Thackray became well known to television audiences, thanks to regular appearances on various popular shows, such as The Braden Beat

Actually Braden's Week otherwise you're correct in every detail. Jakey was also regularly seen on Beryl Reid Says 'Good Evening'.

[Norton Canes]

Watched some cracking cossacks on the TP London Palladium show last night. Fuck me they must have had thighs like tree trunks.

[Chriddof]

Here's the first bomb scare taking the 23 December 1973 edition off air - Video clip / Jim Dale remembers

The husband of that woman mentioned in the documentary clip (and who's at the start of the other one) recorded all of his wife's apparences on TV singing around that time. As a result there's lots of little bits of long gone TV that were saved, thanks to the stuff around the programmes also being recorded (as tended to happen in the days of VCRs). It's not properly explained in the doc, but apparently the VCR they had (I think it may have been this?) was simply set up in her dressing room, with an ariel plugged into the back of it, and pointed out a window or something in the general direction of the Crystal Palace transmitter. They didn't / couldn't bother with checking it on a TV first because it would have been too much faff to lug one in there at the time.