View source for The Kenny Everett Television Show

{{Short description|BBC comedy sketch show 1981–1988}}
{{Infobox television
|image          = The Kenny Everett Television Show.jpg
| writer        = {{plainlist|
* [[Barry Cryer]]
* [[Kenny Everett]]
* Ray Cameron (Series 1–3)
* [[Andrew Marshall (screenwriter)|Andrew Marshall]] (series 4–5)
* [[David Renwick]] (series 4–5)
}}
| director                 = {{plainlist|
* Bill Wilson (series 1–2)
* John Bishop (series 3–4)
* Kevin Bishop (series 5)
}}
| starring                 = {{plainlist|
* Kenny Everett
* [[Cleo Rocos]]
* [[Lou Hirsch]]
* [[Billy Connolly]]
* [[Sheila Steafel]]
* [[Lionel Blair]]
* [[John Arnatt]]
* [[Willie Rushton]]
}}
| country                  = United Kingdom
| num_seasons              = 5
| num_episodes             = 47 (including 6 specials)
| location                 = BBC Television Centre, White City, London
| runtime                  = 30 minutes
| company                  = [[BBC Television]]
| network                  = [[BBC1]]
| picture_format           = [[4:3]]
| first_aired              = {{start date|1981|12|24|df=yes}}
| last_aired               = {{end date|1988|1|18|df=yes}}
| preceded_by              = ''[[The Kenny Everett Video Show]]''
| list_episodes            = #Episodes
}}

'''''The Kenny Everett Television Show''''' is a [[comedy sketch]] show broadcast on [[BBC1]] from 1981 to 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 18, 2014|title=The Kenny Everett Television Show|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/kennyeverett/|url-status=live|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Lewis|first=John.E|title=Cult TV: The Comedies|last2=Stempel|first2=Penny|publisher=Bay Books|year=1998|isbn=9780912333656}}</ref> It was presented by its main performer [[Kenny Everett]], who wrote the material with [[Barry Cryer]] and Ray Cameron. Later in 1986 they were joined by writing team [[Andrew Marshall (screenwriter)|Andrew Marshall]] and [[David Renwick]] after Cameron's departure the previous year. It was similar in style to Everett's previous programme ''[[The Kenny Everett Video Show]]'', broadcast on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] from 1978 to 1981,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Kenny Everett Video Show (TV Show, 1978-1981)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077036/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0|url-status=live|website=IMDb}}</ref> but with greater emphasis on comedy sketches than musical numbers. However, each edition would still have at least one music act. A total 47 episodes, including 6 Christmas specials and 2 compilations over 5 series, were produced by the [[BBC]], broadcast between 24 December 1981 and 18 January 1988 inclusive.

== Background ==
In 1981, Everett was increasingly unhappy with [[Thames Television]] over the management and scheduling of ''[[The Kenny Everett Video Show]]''. One of his main complaints was that the show was directly scheduled at the same time as ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' on Thursday evenings, which took a hit on the ratings. Shortly after Series 4 had finished broadcasting, after some failed negotiations Everett decided not to renew his contract with Thames. In October of that year, he returned to the BBC, when he presented a weekly Saturday show on [[BBC Radio 2]]. The BBC were looking for a new prime sketch show, to fill the void since the loss of [[Morecambe and Wise]] to Thames three years earlier, and saw potential for doing a sketch show series with Everett. For his new BBC show,  he brought over two of his writing collaborators who had worked with him on the Video Show, Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron, who had defected with him from Thames. They were joined by producer James Moir whose credits notably included ''[[The Generation Game]]'' and [[Mike Yarwood|''The Mike Yarwood Show'']], along with director  Bill Wilson who had previously worked with Moir on the first two series of ''[[Not the Nine O'Clock News]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Stafford|first=David|title=Cupid Stunts:The Life & Radio Times Of Kenny Everett|last2=Stafford|first2=Caroline|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2013|isbn=9780857128676|location=London}}</ref> Moir would ultimately produce only the first show; shortly after its recording, the Director General, [[Alasdair Milne|Alistair Milne]], promoted Moir to Head of Variety, leaving Wilson to take over producing responsibilities.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Hogg|first=James|title=Hello, Darlings! The Authorized Biography of Kenny Everett.|last2=Sellers|first2=Robert|publisher=Transworld|year=2013|isbn=9781448168316}}</ref> Wilson who was unfamiliar with Everett's work over at Thames wanted to go in a different direction to what had gone before. This show would have a larger budget, bigger guest stars, longer periods of filming and taping the show before a studio audience, much in contrast to the comparatively low budget production of the Thames series which was filmed at smaller studios and without an audience.

== Overview ==
The show's format was similar to his previous show with a mixture of comedy sketches and musical interludes, Everett had even brought over old characters like Marcel Wave, Angry of Mayfair, Brother Lee Love and Sid Snot from his previous show, despite accusations from Thames over the copyright of these characters.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Montgomery|first=Louise|date=February 25, 1982|title=The Inside Story: Kenny's Cheeky Double Take|work=The Daily Mirror|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19820225/104/0019}}</ref> He also created a slew of new characters including Gizzard Puke, a philosophical punk who shares many similarities with his earlier character Sid Snot; Maurice Mimer, a [[mime artist]] whose drawings turn into real objects; Reg Prescott, an inept TV handyman whose D.I.Y. demonstrations often lead to horrific injuries; General Cheeseburger, a US Army General with oversized shoulders adorned with medals and hand grenades, whose monologues were seen as a satire on US foreign policy; Verity Treacle, an agony aunt who often receives requests by viewers to kill off celebrities in various elaborate ways; and Cupid Stunt, a vociferous [[B movie|B-movie]] actress, who is often seen giving interviews about her eventful career to a cardboard cut out of [[Michael Parkinson]], where she rounds off each interview with the iconic catchphrase "It's all done in the best possible taste!" Moreover, he also parodied popular shows at the time including ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'' and ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' which were merged to become 'Dallasty', along with well-known fictional characters like [[Spider-Man]], [[Beau Geste]] and [[Hinge and Bracket|Hinge & Bracket]].
<br />
<br />Everett was aided by an extensive supporting cast who included [[Cleo Rocos]], [[Sheila Steafel|Sheila Steafal]], [[Lou Hirsch]], [[Billy Connolly]], [[John Arnatt]] and [[Willie Rushton]], along with a long list of  celebrity guest stars who continuously sent themselves up, the likes of [[Frank Thornton]], [[Brian Blessed]], [[Lionel Blair]], [[Burt Kwouk]], [[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]], [[Tim Brooke-Taylor]], [[Joanna Lumley]], [[Lennie Bennett]], [[Terry Wogan]], [[Mel Smith]] and [[Vicki Michelle|Vikki Michelle]], whom made frequent number of appearances on the show. In addition to the main pool of writers involved in the show, a number of other writers also submitted various sketches to the show, including [[Paul Alexander (British writer)|Paul Alexander]], Simon Booker, [[Neil Shand]], Paul Minett and [[Dick Vosburgh]], the latter whom had previously worked with Everett on his show at Thames. The show was a ratings success for the BBC, repeatedly drawing audiences of around 12-13 million viewers per episode.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 18, 1982|title=BARB Top Tens: Monday March 1 - Sunday March 7|work=The Stage|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19820318/167/0020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 25, 1985|title=BARB Top Tens: Monday April 8 - Sunday April 14|work=The Stage|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19850425/151/0027}}</ref> When the show hit the screens in early 1982, it was lauded by critics; Hilary Kingsley from the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' commented "the first Kenny Everett show was tatty, tasteless and trivial. I loved it!."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kingsley|first=Hilary|date=February 27, 1982|title=Knickers! Kenny Enjoys His Show|work=The Daily Mirror|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19820227/072/0013}}</ref> Everett was praised for his inventive comedy style that went against the norm for sketch shows; it was seen as zany, daring and unique,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Green|first=James|date=October 30, 1986|title=Kenny Everett Show|work=The Stage|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19861030/127/0022}}</ref> although at times the humour bordered on the grisly and squirm inducing.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kingsley|first=Hilary|date=April 15, 1985|title=The Descent of Everett|work=The Daily Mirror|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19850415/139/0019}}</ref> Towards the end of the show's run in 1987 the reception had changed, it was beginning to look tired and old fashioned as James Green commented in a review for ''[[The Stage]]'' in December 1987, with its formula of bawdy and surreal humour barely changing over the years.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Green|first=James|date=December 10, 1987|title=Television Today: The Kenny Everett Television Show|work=The Stage|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19871210/102/0019}}</ref> After Series 5 had ended in January 1988, Everett decided not to renew his contract with the BBC due to his growing disillusion with the filming of the show and faltering professional relations with his co-writers.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the BBC's intentions for the show to continue, it came to an abrupt end when Everett opted out from doing more shows.

== Episodes ==

=== Christmas Special (1981) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #ff1a1a;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #ff1a1a;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #ff1a1a;" | Title
! style="background-color: #ff1a1a;" | Produced by
! style="background-color: #ff1a1a;" | Directed by
! style="background-color: #ff1a1a;" | Original airdate
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=1
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Merry Xmas
|Aux1=James Moir
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1981|12|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[David Frost]], [[Bob Geldof]], [[Billy Connolly]], [[John Arnatt]] and [[Terry Wogan]]; Musical guests: [[The Police]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Series 1 (1982) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #6495ED;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #6495ED;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #6495ED;" | Title
! style="background-color: #6495ED;" | Directed and Produced by
! style="background-color: #6495ED;" | Original airdate
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=2
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Episode 1
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|2|25|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Lionel Blair]], [[Simon Cadell]], [[John Junkin]], John Arnatt, Billy Connolly, [[Sheila Steafel]] and Terry Wogan; Musical guest: [[Bill Wyman]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=3
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Episode 2
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|3|4|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Toyah Willcox]], [[Richard Johnson (actor)|Richard Johnson]], Terry Wogan, [[Gary Martin (actor)|Gary Martin]], John Arnatt, Bill Wyman and [[Joanna Lumley]]; Musical guests: [[Toyah (band)|Toyah]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=4
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Episode 3
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|3|11|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair, [[Willie Rushton]], Sheila Steafel, John Arnatt, Billy Connolly, [[John Wells (satirist)|John Wells]], Joanna Lumley and Richard Johnson; Musical guests: [[Madness (band)|Madness]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=5
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Episode 4
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|3|18|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Tim Brooke-Taylor]], John Junkin, [[Frank Carson]], [[Michael Moran (music producer)|Mike Moran]], John Wells, Billy Connolly, Sheila Steafel, Joanna Lumley and Richard Johnson; Musical guest: [[Toni Basil]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=6
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Episode 5
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|3|25|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Michael Parkinson]], Willie Rushton, Gary Martin, John Arnatt and Terry Wogan; Musical guests: [[Imagination (band)|Imagination]] 
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=7
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Episode 6
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|4|1|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Frank Carson, [[Adam Faith]], Gary Martin, John Arnatt, Sheila Steafel and Terry Wogan; Musical guest: [[B.A. Robertson]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=8
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Episode 7
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|4|8|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Billy Connolly, [[Pamela Stephenson]], Sheila Steafel, [[James Hunt]], [[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]], [[Ian Lavender]], [[Susan George (actress)|Susan George]] and [[Michael Winner]]; Musical guests: [[Chas & Dave]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=9
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Episode 8
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|4|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[ABBA]], Billy Connolly, [[Cannon & Ball]], John Arnatt, [[Noel Edmonds]], [[Judy Geeson]], Susan George, Sheila Steafel and Bob Geldof; Musical guest: Lulu
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=10
 |EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=The Best of Series 1
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|6|30|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Compilation episode.
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Christmas Special (1982) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #FFD700;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #FFD700;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #FFD700;" | Title
! style="background-color: #FFD700;" | Directed and Produced by
! style="background-color: #FFD700;" | Original airdate
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=11
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Just Another Show
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1982|12|28|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Billy Connolly, [[Barry Cryer]], [[Russell Harty]], Lulu, [[Nicholas Lyndhurst]], [[Geoffrey Palmer (actor)|Geoffrey Palmer]], Pamela Stephenson, [[Janet Street-Porter]] and Terry Wogan
Musical guests: [[Ultravox]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Series 2 (1983) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #7CFC00;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #7CFC00;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #7CFC00;" | Title
! style="background-color: #7CFC00;" | Directed and Produced by
! style="background-color: #7CFC00;" | Original airdate
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=12
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Episode 1
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|2|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Burt Kwouk]], [[Mel Smith]], [[Ted Moult]], Mike Moran, John Arnatt, [[Lou Hirsch]], Sheila Steafel, [[Tony Osoba]] and [[Frank Williams (actor)|Frank Williams]]; Musical guests: [[Modern Romance (band)|Modern Romance]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=13
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Episode 2
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|3|3|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Jonathan Cecil]], Billy Connolly, Burt Kwouk, Lou Hirsch, Mike Moran, Tony Osoba, [[Julian Lloyd Webber|Julian Lloyd-Webber]], Geoffrey Palmer and Tic & Toc; Musical guests: [[Kajagoogoo]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=14
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Episode 3
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|3|10|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[John Bluthal]], [[Mike Grady (actor)|Mike Grady]], [[Jack Haig (actor)|Jack Haig]], Willie Rushton, Mike Moran, Mel Smith and [[Eli Woods]]; Musical guests: [[U2]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=15
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Episode 4
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|3|17|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Sabina Franklyn]], [[Tim Barrett (actor)|Tim Barrett]], Lou Hirsch, Eli Woods, John Bluthal, [[Robin Parkinson]], P.G. Stephens, Burt Kwouk, Joanna Lumley, [[Jack Scott (meteorologist)|Jack Scott]], Jacqueline Clarke, Sheila Steafel and Terry Wogan 
Musical guests: [[Duran Duran]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=16
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Episode 5
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|3|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Martin Shaw]], Mike Moran and Barry Cryer; Musical guests: [[Spandau Ballet]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=17
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Episode 6
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|3|31|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Sheila Steafel, [[Roy Kinnear]], [[Aimi MacDonald]], Lou Hirsch, Mike Moran and [[Richard Todd]]; Musical guests: [[The Thompson Twins]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=18
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Episode 7
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|4|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair, [[Lennie Bennett]], [[Alfred Marks]], [[Su Pollard]] and [[Frank Thornton]]; Musical guests: [[The Stranglers]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=19
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Episode 8
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|4|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Alfred Marks, [[Daniel Peacock]] and Su Pollard; Musical guests: Chas & Dave
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Specials (1983-4) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #a64dff;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #a64dff;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #a64dff;" | Title
! style="background-color: #a64dff;" | Produced by
! style="background-color: #a64dff;" | Directed by
! style="background-color: #a64dff;" | Original airdate
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=20
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Christmas Show
|Aux1=Bill Wilson
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|12|26|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Frank Thornton, Sheila Steafel, Willie Rushton, Lennie Bennett, Lionel Blair, Mike Moran, Billy Connolly and [[Fern Britton]]; Musical guests: The Police
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=21
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=The Best of Series 2
|Aux1=Bill Wilson
|DirectedBy=Bill Wilson
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1984|8|3|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Compilation episode.
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=22
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Christmas Show
|Aux1=Bill Wilson
|DirectedBy=David Taylor
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1984|12|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Fiona Fullerton]], Lennie Bennett, [[Bonnie Langford]], Lulu, [[Patrick Mower]], Willie Rushton and [[Bernie Winters]]; Musical guests: [[Culture Club]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Series 3 (1985) ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #FF6347;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #FF6347;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #FF6347;" | Title
! style="background-color: #FF6347;" | Directed and Produced by
! style="background-color: #FF6347;" | Original airdate
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=23
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Episode 1
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|4|13|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Jeffrey Holland (actor)|Jeffrey Holland]], Sheila Steafel, John Wells and Bernie Winters; Musical guests: [[Tears For Fears]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=24
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Episode 2
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|4|20|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Vicki Michelle]], Lionel Blair, John Wells, [[Peter Woods (journalist)|Peter Woods]], Jeffrey Wickham and Frank Thornton; Musical guests: [[The Flying Pickets]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=25
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Episode 3
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|4|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Tim Brooke-Taylor, Jeffrey Holland, Sheila Steafel, Joanna Lumley and Lennie Bennett; Musical guests: [[Godley & Creme]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=26
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Episode 4
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|5|11|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lennie Bennett, [[Geoff Capes]], Vicki Michelle, [[David Rappaport]] and Bernie Winters; Musical guests: [[Dead or Alive (band)|Dead or Alive]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=27
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Episode 5
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|5|18|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Bananarama]], Sheila Steafel, Lionel Blair, John Arnatt and Willie Rushton; Musical guest: Toyah Wilcox
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=28
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Episode 6
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|5|25|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Jeffrey Holland and [[Gareth Hunt]]; Musical guest: [[Howard Jones (British musician)|Howard Jones]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=29
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Episode 7
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|6|1|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Fiona Fullerton, David Peacock, Willie Rushton and Sheila Steafel; Musical guest: [[David Cassidy]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=30
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Episode 8
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|6|8|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lennie Bennett, [[Kenny Lynch]], Vicki Michelle and Willie Rushton; Musical guests: Big Daddy
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Christmas Special (1985) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #D2691E;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #D2691E;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #D2691E;" | Title
! style="background-color: #D2691E;" | Directed and Produced by
! style="background-color: #D2691E;" | Original airdate
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=31
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Kenny Everett's Christmas Carol
|DirectedBy=James Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|12|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[John Humphrys]] (The Newsreader), B.A. Robertson (Bob Cratchit), [[Rory Bremner]] (Bob Geldof), [[Spike Milligan]] (Jacob Marley), John Wells (The Ghost of Christmas Past), [[Anneka Rice]] (Pandora), [[Michael Barrymore]] (The Schoolmaster), Willie Rushton (The Ghost of Chrismtas Present), Francis Wilson (The Butler), [[Debbie Arnold]] (Mrs. Cratchit), [[Stuart Fell]] (The Rabbi), James Hunt (Footman), [[Tessa Sanderson]] (Footman) and [[Peter Cook]] (The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) 
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Series 4 (1986) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #00e6e6;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #00e6e6;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #00e6e6;" | Title
! style="background-color: #00e6e6;" | Produced by
! style="background-color: #00e6e6;" | Directed by
! style="background-color: #00e6e6;" | Original airdate
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=32
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Episode 1
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|10|16|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Tom Baker]], [[Brian Blessed]], Lou Hirsch, [[David Healy (actor)|David Healy]], [[George Layton]], Edward Duke and Rory Bremner (as [[Barry Norman]]); Dance troupe: [[Hot Gossip]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=33
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Episode 2
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|10|23|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lou Hirsch, Edward Duke, George Layton and [[Dennis Taylor]]; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=34
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Episode 3
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|10|30|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Brian Blessed, [[Kenneth Colley]], Joe Black, Edward Duke, Lou Hirsch and [[John Craven]]; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=35
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Episode 4
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|11|6|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Joe Black, Brian Blessed, Mike Moran, Joanna Lumley, [[Tony Selby]], Edward Duke and Lou Hirsch; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=36
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Episode 5
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|11|13|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Brian Blessed, Joe Black, Rory Bremner, Edward Duke, [[Reginald Marsh (actor)|Reginald Marsh]], Edward Duke, Lou Hirsch and Michael Stainton; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=37
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Episode 6
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|11|20|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Joe Black, Edward Duke, [[Johnny More]] (as Fat Man), [[Irene Handl]] (as [[Arlene Phillips]]), George Layton, Lou Hirsch and [[Barry Took]]
Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=38
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Episode 7
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|11|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: John Arnatt, Brian Blessed, Rory Bremner (as Russell Harty), Edward Duke, [[Sarah Greene]], Ted Moult, Lou Hirsch and [[Conrad Phillips]]; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=39
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Episode 8
|Aux1=John Bishop
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|12|4|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Joe Black, [[Percy Edwards]], Edward Duke, Lou Hirsch and George Layton; Dance troupe: Hot Gossip
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Christmas Special (1986) ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #EE82EE;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #EE82EE;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #EE82EE;" | Title
! style="background-color: #EE82EE;" | Directed and Produced by
! style="background-color: #EE82EE;" | Original airdate
|-
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=40
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Kenny's Christmas Cracker
|DirectedBy=John Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1986|12|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Ben Aris]], [[Ed Bishop]], Lionel Blake, Jilli Foot, [[Simon Bowman]], [[Ross Davidson]], [[Howard Lew Lewis]] and Gareth Marks; Musical guests: Spandau Ballet
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

=== Series 5 (1987- 8) ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" width="100%"
|-
! style="background-color: #ff6600;" | No. overall
! style="background-color: #ff6600;" | No. in Series
! style="background-color: #ff6600;" | Title
! style="background-color: #ff6600;" | Produced by
! style="background-color: #ff6600;" | Directed by
! style="background-color: #ff6600;" | Original airdate
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=41
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Episode 1
|Aux1=Paul Ciani
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|11|30|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair and Gary Martin; Musical guest: [[Elton John]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=42
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Episode 2
|Aux1=Paul Ciani
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|12|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair, [[Gerald Campion]], Gary Martin and John Dunn; Musical guest: [[Kim Wilde]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=43
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Episode 3
|Aux1=Paul Ciani
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|12|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Harry Fowler, Lionel Blair, Gary Martin and [[Christopher Timothy]]; Musical guest: [[Donny Osmond]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=45
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Episode 4
|Aux1=Paul Ciani
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|1|4|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: [[Ian McCaskill]], [[Roy North]], Gary Martin, Lionel Blair and Gerald Campion; Musical guest: [[Chris Rea]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=46
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Episode 5
|Aux1=Paul Ciani
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|1|11|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Tim Brooke-Taylor, Lionel Blair, Sheila Steafel, Gary Martin and Frank Thornton; Musical guests: [[Marillion]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=47
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Episode 6
|Aux1=Paul Ciani
|DirectedBy=Kevin Bishop
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|1|18|df=y}}
|ShortSummary=Guest stars: Lionel Blair, Gary Martin and Christopher Timothy; Musical guest: [[Errol Brown]]
|LineColor=A9A9A9
}}
|}

== Syndication ==
Since the show was last broadcast in January 1988, no complete episodes from this show have ever been repeated on the BBC, but the show was often repeated in its entirety on [[UK Gold]] during the 1990s,<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 28, 1995|title=Wired|work=Aberdeen Evening Press|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19950928/231/0034}}</ref> and more recently on [[Paramount Comedy +1|Paramount Comedy]] starting from the 4 February 2008. A few months after Everett's death in April 1995, the BBC broadcast two compilation episodes titled 'The Best of the Kenny Everett Shows' over two consecutive weeks on BBC1 between 19 and 25 September 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Best Of Kenny Everett's Television Shows (Part 1)|url=https://www.thetvdb.com/series/the-kenny-everett-television-show/episodes/6516549|url-status=live|website=tvdb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Best Of Kenny Everett's Television Shows (Part 2)|url=https://www.thetvdb.com/series/the-kenny-everett-television-show/episodes/6516550|url-status=live|website=tvdb}}</ref> A few years later on 1 March 1999, the BBC released a compilation of his shows on [[DVD]] and [[VHS]], titled 'Kenny Everett: In the Best Possible Taste'.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2011|title=Kenny Everett: In the Best Possible Taste!|url=http://muuta.net/KennyEverett/BBC/bBestPT.html|url-status=live|website=The Ultimate Kenny Everett Sketch Site}}</ref> The complete series has yet to be released on DVD.

== External links ==
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081883/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt The Kenny Everett Television Show] at [[IMDb]]
* [https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_kenny_everett_television_show/ The Kenny Everett Television Show] at [[British Comedy Guide]]
* [https://www.thetvdb.com/series/the-kenny-everett-television-show The Kenny Everett Television Show] at [https://www.thetvdb.com/ TVDB]
* [https://kennyeverett.muuta.net/kenny-everett-bbc-episodes/ The Ultimate Kenny Everett Sketch Site, BBC Episodes]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kenny Everett Television Show, The}}
[[Category:1981 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1988 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s British television sketch shows]]
[[Category:BBC television sketch shows]]
[[Category:British black comedy television shows]]
[[Category:British satirical television series]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Metafictional television series]]
[[Category:Postmodernism]]
[[Category:Self-reflexive television]]
[[Category:Surreal comedy television series]]