Duncan Wood - Revision history

Kurt: clean up

2022-10-22T03:52:05Z

clean up

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	* {{screenonline name\|id=874482}}		* {{screenonline name\|id=874482}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Duncan}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Duncan}}

Kurt at 20:09, 20 September 2022

2022-09-20T20:09:02Z

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	'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour\|''Half Hours'']] for [[w:BBC Television\|BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson\|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[w:sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html \| work=The Independent \| location=London \| title=Obituary: Duncan Wood \| first=Joe \| last=McGrath \| date=14 January 1997 \| accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>		'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour\|''Half Hours'']] for [[w:BBC Television\|BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson\|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[w:sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html \| work=The Independent \| location=London \| title=Obituary: Duncan Wood \| first=Joe \| last=McGrath \| date=14 January 1997 \| accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[w:BBC\|BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

	==Life and career==		==Life and career==

Kurt at 20:08, 20 September 2022

2022-09-20T20:08:43Z

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	\| birth_name = Wilfred Duncan Wood		\| birth_name = Wilfred Duncan Wood
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1925\|03\|24}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1925\|03\|24}}
	\| birth_place = [[Bristol]], [[England]]		\| birth_place = [[w:Bristol\|Bristol]], [[w:England\|England]]
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|df=yes\|1997\|01\|11\|1925\|03\|24}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|df=yes\|1997\|01\|11\|1925\|03\|24}}
	\| death_place = [[London]], England		\| death_place = [[w:London\|London]], England
	\| occupation = TV producer		\| occupation = TV producer
	\| yearsactive = 1955–1980		\| yearsactive = 1955–1980
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	\| children =		\| children =
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	'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour\|''Half Hours'']] for [[BBC Television\|BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson\|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html \| work=The Independent \| location=London \| title=Obituary: Duncan Wood \| first=Joe \| last=McGrath \| date=14 January 1997 \| accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>		'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour\|''Half Hours'']] for [[w:BBC Television\|BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson\|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[w:sitcom\|sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html \| work=The Independent \| location=London \| title=Obituary: Duncan Wood \| first=Joe \| last=McGrath \| date=14 January 1997 \| accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

	==Life and career==		==Life and career==
	Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [[w:World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Summer Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>		Born in [[w:Bristol\|Bristol]], he trained with the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] as an [[w:outside broadcast\|outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[w:Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [[w:World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[w:1948 Summer Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[w:variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[w:Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[w:panel show\|panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>

	He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>		He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[w:sketch show\|sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[w:Graham McCann\|Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>

	In 1960 he was appointed as Chief Assistant Head of Programmes in the BBC's Light Entertainment Department, where he produced ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'', the first sitcom to have serious 'straight' actors in the leading roles, with scripts (again by Galton and Simpson) who brought "darkness... honesty, compassion and insight" to their scripts. Also during the 1960s, he produced such series as ''[[Citizen James]]'', ''[[Hugh and I]]'', ''[[The Bed-Sit Girl]]'', ''[[Harry Worth]]'', ''[[Oh, Brother!]]'', ''[[The World of Beachcomber]]'', and many editions of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]''.<ref name=mccann/>		In 1960 he was appointed as Chief Assistant Head of Programmes in the BBC's Light Entertainment Department, where he produced ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'', the first sitcom to have serious 'straight' actors in the leading roles, with scripts (again by Galton and Simpson) who brought "darkness... honesty, compassion and insight" to their scripts. Also during the 1960s, he produced such series as ''[[Citizen James]]'', ''[[Hugh and I]]'', ''[[The Bed-Sit Girl]]'', ''[[Harry Worth]]'', ''[[Oh, Brother!]]'', ''[[The World of Beachcomber]]'', and many editions of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]''.<ref name=mccann/>

	From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy, replacing [[Michael Mills (British producer)\|Michael Mills]].<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>		From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[w:BBC\|BBC]]'s Head of Comedy, replacing [[w:Michael Mills (British producer)\|Michael Mills]].<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

	He retired in 1984 but continued to work as a consultant for several years. He died in 1997 at the age of 71.<ref name=mccann/>		He retired in 1984 but continued to work as a consultant for several years. He died in 1997 at the age of 71.<ref name=mccann/>

Kurt: /* Life and career */

2022-09-20T18:45:11Z

Life and career

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:45, 20 September 2022
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	==Life and career==		==Life and career==
	Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Summer Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>		Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [[w:World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Summer Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>

	He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>		He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>

Kurt: /* Life and career */

2022-07-27T21:03:52Z

Life and career

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:03, 27 July 2022
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	==Life and career==		==Life and career==
	Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>		Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Summer Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>

	He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>		He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>

Kurt at 21:02, 27 July 2022

2022-07-27T21:02:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:02, 27 July 2022
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	\| children =		\| children =
	}}		}}
	'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour\|''Half Hours'']] for [[BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson\|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html \| work=The Independent \| location=London \| title=Obituary: Duncan Wood \| first=Joe \| last=McGrath \| date=14 January 1997 \| accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>		'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour\|''Half Hours'']] for [[BBC Television\|BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson\|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html \| work=The Independent \| location=London \| title=Obituary: Duncan Wood \| first=Joe \| last=McGrath \| date=14 January 1997 \| accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

	==Life and career==		==Life and career==

Kurt at 20:48, 27 July 2022

2022-07-27T20:48:06Z

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	~~{{for\|the South African water polo player\|Duncan Woods}}~~
	{{infobox person		{{infobox person
	\| name = Duncan Wood		\| name = Duncan Wood
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	==Life and career==		==Life and career==
	Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Signals]] during the [[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>		Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Signals]] during the [World War II\|[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Olympics\|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show\|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)\|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>

	He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>		He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>

Kurt: /* Life and career */

2022-07-27T20:40:30Z

Life and career

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	He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>		He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)\|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>

	In 1960 he was appointed as Chief Assistant Head of Programmes in the BBC's Light Entertainment Department, where he produced ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'', the first sitcom to have serious 'straight' actors in the leading roles, with scripts (again by Galton and Simpson) who brought "darkness... honesty, compassion and insight" to their scripts. Also during the 1960s, he produced such series as ''[[Citizen James]]'', ''[[Hugh ~~And~~ I]]'', ''[[The Bed-Sit Girl]]'', ''[[Harry Worth]]'', ''[[Oh Brother!]]'', ''[[The World of Beachcomber]]'', and many editions of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]''.<ref name=mccann/>		In 1960 he was appointed as Chief Assistant Head of Programmes in the BBC's Light Entertainment Department, where he produced ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'', the first sitcom to have serious 'straight' actors in the leading roles, with scripts (again by Galton and Simpson) who brought "darkness... honesty, compassion and insight" to their scripts. Also during the 1960s, he produced such series as ''[[Citizen James]]'', ''[[Hugh and I]]'', ''[[The Bed-Sit Girl]]'', ''[[Harry Worth]]'', ''[[Oh, Brother!]]'', ''[[The World of Beachcomber]]'', and many editions of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]''.<ref name=mccann/>

	From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy, replacing [[Michael Mills (British producer)\|Michael Mills]].<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>		From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy, replacing [[Michael Mills (British producer)\|Michael Mills]].<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html\|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

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details, ref, not stub

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{{for|the South African water polo player|Duncan Woods}}
{{infobox person
| name = Duncan Wood
| image = Duncan_Wood.png
| imagesize =
| caption = Wood (right) with [[Tony Hancock]] & [[Sid James]] (Photo: Bob Collins, 1959)
| birth_name = Wilfred Duncan Wood
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1925|03|24}}
| birth_place = [[Bristol]], [[England]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1997|01|11|1925|03|24}}
| death_place = [[London]], England
| occupation = TV producer
| yearsactive = 1955–1980
| spouse =
| children =
}}
'''Wilfred Duncan Wood''' (24 March 1925 – 11 January 1997) was a British comedy producer, director and writer, who has been described as "the founding father of the British TV sitcom".<ref name=mccann/> His best-known achievements were to produce all of [[Tony Hancock]]'s [[Hancock's Half Hour|''Half Hours'']] for [[BBC TV]] during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and later, also with Hancock's former writers [[Galton and Simpson|Ray Galton and Alan Simpson]], the [[sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' for most of its run.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-duncan-wood-1283119.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Obituary: Duncan Wood | first=Joe | last=McGrath | date=14 January 1997 | accessdate=1 May 2010}}</ref> From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy.<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

==Life and career==
Born in [[Bristol]], he trained with the [[BBC]] as an [[outside broadcast]] engineer, before serving in south east Asia with the [[Royal Signals]] during the [[Second World War]]. He returned to the BBC in 1948, working on the [[1948 Olympics|Olympic Games]], and in the early 1950s started working as a producer of radio [[variety show|variety]] programmes, such as ''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)|Workers' Playtime]]'', on which he worked with up-and-coming comedians including [[Dick Emery]], [[Tony Hancock]], and [[Benny Hill]]. He moved into television in 1953, and worked on a wide range of programmes including dancing and [[panel show]]s.<ref name=mccann/>

He became a specialist producer of comedy programmes, following initial success in 1955 with the [[sketch show]] ''[[Great Scott - It's Maynard!]]''. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he produced many of the BBC's most popular comedy shows, featuring Benny Hill, [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Ken Dodd]], and others. In 1956, he became producer and director of [[Tony Hancock]]'s ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', working closely with writers [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)|Alan Simpson]]. According to writer [[Graham McCann]], Wood "took the trouble to cast the occasional players just as carefully as he did the regular characters...Then came the cameras and the editing... where Wood went far beyond his contemporaries... because of the way that, step by step, he shaped and set out the syntax of sitcom shooting."<ref name=mccann>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/duncan-wood-the-maestro/?fbclid=IwAR270Rwo45zWuP2d7zWxFlsCoZ_d1x12xdissaUlp1dqlzjj6HydtfPnQMA Graham McCann, "Duncan Wood: The maestro", ''British Comedy Guide'', 20 March 2022]. Retrieved 27 March 2022</ref>

In 1960 he was appointed as Chief Assistant Head of Programmes in the BBC's Light Entertainment Department, where he produced ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'', the first sitcom to have serious 'straight' actors in the leading roles, with scripts (again by Galton and Simpson) who brought "darkness... honesty, compassion and insight" to their scripts. Also during the 1960s, he produced such series as ''[[Citizen James]]'', ''[[Hugh And I]]'', ''[[The Bed-Sit Girl]]'', ''[[Harry Worth]]'', ''[[Oh Brother!]]'', ''[[The World of Beachcomber]]'', and many editions of ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]''.<ref name=mccann/>

From 1970 to 1973, he was the [[BBC]]'s Head of Comedy, replacing [[Michael Mills (British producer)|Michael Mills]].<ref name=screenonline>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/874482/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Wood, Duncan (1925-1997) Biography|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He left in 1973 to become Head of Light Entertainment at [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]] and was responsible for commissioning ''[[Rising Damp]]''.<ref name=screenonline/>

He retired in 1984 but continued to work as a consultant for several years. He died in 1997 at the age of 71.<ref name=mccann/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{imdb name|0939674|Duncan Wood}}
* {{screenonline name|id=874482}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Duncan}}
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:British television producers]]
[[Category:Mass media people from Bristol]]