The first series of 'Rutland Weekend Television' inherited the time-slot ( Monday, B.B.C.-2, 9 P.M. ) of the brilliant fifth season of 'The Goodies', and was just as funny in its own way. 'Monty Python' had ended the year before, and its members were keen to try out different comedy styles. John Cleese made 'Fawlty Towers', Michael Palin and Terry Jones gave us 'Ripping Yarns', but Eric Idle chose to keep the spirit of 'Python' alive by writing and starring in this sketch show.
'R.W.T.' was the name of Britain's smallest television station, run by incompetent, talentless people, and the budgets were so low its output rarely rose above the fifth-rate. Programme ideas were cribbed from existing shows on other channels, such as 'Rutland Five-O', and if they did a musical of the 'On The Town' variety, chances were it would be set not in New York New York, but Tunbridge Wells.
In one sketch, Eric interviewed 'The Wittiest Man In The World' who turned out to be anything but. 'The Old Gay Whistle Test' had Eric as 'Whispering' Bob Harris, introducing a rock band whose lead singer has died, yet still performed.
My favourite items were the spoof documentaries - in one a farmer breeds beauty Queens, in another a British soldier continues to fight World War Two from The Isle Of Wight, a house is taken over by policemen, and squatters have to be sent along to evict them. Very Pythonesque.
Ex-'Beatle' and 'Python' fan George Harrison made a memorable appearance in the Christmas Show; after playing the opening chords to 'My Sweet Lord, he changes tack and belts out a spirited song about a pirate.
Movies were spoofed too. 'Pommy' told the story of a young man who goes deaf, dumb and blind after watching a Ken Russell film. Any similarity between it and Russell's own 'Tommy' was, of course, intentional.
Idle was given fine support by David Battley, Henry Woolf, Gwen Taylor, Terence Bayler, Bunny May, Carinthia West and of course, Neil Innes. The former 'Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band' member had appeared in the final season of 'Monty Python', and for 'Rutland' he provided some superbly witty song pastiches. He later landed a show of his own, the criminally underrated 'The Innes Book Of Records'.
One sketch in the second series was 'A Hard Days' Rut', starring 'The Rutles'. When shown in the U.S.A. during an appearance by Idle on 'Saturday Night Live', it caused such a sensation that a full-length television movie was later made - 'All You Need Is Cash' ( 'The Rutles' ).
Flicking through the Sky channel network recently, I came across a few stations that reminded me strongly of 'R.W.T.'. Eric's show was ahead of its time alright. The only thing he got wrong was that his presenters were mainly middle-aged, whereas today's are young and annoyingly trendy.
If by some chance, you're reading this Eric, any chance of a D.V.D. release? I hate the idea of my kids growing up not knowing who 'The Massed Flashers of Reigate' were!
'R.W.T.' was the name of Britain's smallest television station, run by incompetent, talentless people, and the budgets were so low its output rarely rose above the fifth-rate. Programme ideas were cribbed from existing shows on other channels, such as 'Rutland Five-O', and if they did a musical of the 'On The Town' variety, chances were it would be set not in New York New York, but Tunbridge Wells.
In one sketch, Eric interviewed 'The Wittiest Man In The World' who turned out to be anything but. 'The Old Gay Whistle Test' had Eric as 'Whispering' Bob Harris, introducing a rock band whose lead singer has died, yet still performed.
My favourite items were the spoof documentaries - in one a farmer breeds beauty Queens, in another a British soldier continues to fight World War Two from The Isle Of Wight, a house is taken over by policemen, and squatters have to be sent along to evict them. Very Pythonesque.
Ex-'Beatle' and 'Python' fan George Harrison made a memorable appearance in the Christmas Show; after playing the opening chords to 'My Sweet Lord, he changes tack and belts out a spirited song about a pirate.
Movies were spoofed too. 'Pommy' told the story of a young man who goes deaf, dumb and blind after watching a Ken Russell film. Any similarity between it and Russell's own 'Tommy' was, of course, intentional.
Idle was given fine support by David Battley, Henry Woolf, Gwen Taylor, Terence Bayler, Bunny May, Carinthia West and of course, Neil Innes. The former 'Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band' member had appeared in the final season of 'Monty Python', and for 'Rutland' he provided some superbly witty song pastiches. He later landed a show of his own, the criminally underrated 'The Innes Book Of Records'.
One sketch in the second series was 'A Hard Days' Rut', starring 'The Rutles'. When shown in the U.S.A. during an appearance by Idle on 'Saturday Night Live', it caused such a sensation that a full-length television movie was later made - 'All You Need Is Cash' ( 'The Rutles' ).
Flicking through the Sky channel network recently, I came across a few stations that reminded me strongly of 'R.W.T.'. Eric's show was ahead of its time alright. The only thing he got wrong was that his presenters were mainly middle-aged, whereas today's are young and annoyingly trendy.
If by some chance, you're reading this Eric, any chance of a D.V.D. release? I hate the idea of my kids growing up not knowing who 'The Massed Flashers of Reigate' were!