The Les Dawson Show

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The Les Dawson Show
The Les Dawson Show.jpg
GenreVariety show[1]
Written by
StarringLes Dawson
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series5
No. of episodes34 (list of episodes)
Production
Producers
Running time30 minutes
35 minutes (series 3; two episodes of series 2)[4]
Production companyBBC Television[2]
Original release
NetworkBBC1
Release21 January 1978 (1978-01-21) –
23 November 1989 (1989-11-23)

The Les Dawson Show was a variety show that aired on BBC1 intermittently from 1978 through 1989. The show starred comedian Les Dawson (1931–1993), who had previously starred in the ITV sketch comedy programme Sez Les (1969–76), followed by Dawson and Friends (1977). The Les Dawson Show also featured sketch comedy, as well as stand-up comedy, guest appearances, dance numbers, and musical performances.[5]

Overview

Series 1–2

The Dougie Squires Dancers, pictured here in January 1968—ten years before their first appearance on The Les Dawson Show

In the first series, transmitted in 1978, Dawson co-hosted the show with Scottish singer-songwriter Lulu. In addition to comedy sketches and songs by Dawson, Lulu, and guests artists, each episode featured performances by the Dougie Squires Dancers, with choreography by Dougie Squires. The musical director at this time was John Coleman, and the arranger was Alan Roper. Episodes of this first series aired fortnightly rather than weekly.[4]

No new episodes of the show aired for more than three years. Then, in May 1981, BBC1 transmitted a bank holiday special that reunited Dawson with his longtime comedy compatriot Roy Barraclough, and Sez Les writer Terry Ravenscroft.[6][7] It also replaced the Dougie Squires Dancers with Kids International, a multi-ethnic singing and dancing group assembled by the show's producer, Ernest Maxin.[8][9] Maxin, Barraclough, and Kids International stayed with the show through its second series—which premiered eight months later, in January 1982. For series two, Alyn Ainsworth joined-on as bandleader, and musical arrangements were handled by some new contributors to the programme, including Ivor Raymonde and Max Harris. Roy Barraclough wrote and/or performed.

Later that year, Kids International got their own 30-minute Christmas special. The Kids International Show aired on 24 December 1982; Maxin produced and directed, while Alyn Ainsworth and orchestra provided music.[10]

Series 3–4

For the third series, which aired in 1983, Maxin remained as producer, but Ronnie Hazlehurst became the show's musical director, and comedian Eli Woods joined the cast. Kids International, however, were becoming so popular there was a threat that they would upstage Dawson. Dawson said that he advocated for their removal until Maxin and Jim Moir (the BBC's head of variety) finally relented.[11]

To replace of Kids International, Maxin conducted auditions to assemble a tap-dancing act named the Roly Polys. When the selection process was complete, the troupe had seven dancers: Marie Ashton, Bea Aston, Sue Cadman, Audrey Leybourne, Thea Macintyre, Ann Stephanie, and lead dancer Mo Moreland.[12][13] As a matter of BBC policy, Maxin himself was obligated to retire when he turned 60 in 1983.[14] Dawson was not happy with Maxin's replacement, Robin Nash. Nash was the former head of variety at the BBC, and had also served as head of comedy. Even so, Dawson and (show co-writer) Terry Ravenscroft found the man to lack an innate sense of comedy.[15] Nash's tenure as the show's producer lasted for one series.

After BBC1 transmitted the fourth series of The Les Dawson Show in 1984, Dawson took over Terry Wogan's role as host of Blankety Blank, a comedy game show on the same channel. Meanwhile, Dawson's wife Margaret was gravely ill. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer years earlier, and finally succumbed in April 1986.[16][17] After her death, Dawson swore off the "wife jokes" for which he had become known.[18]

No new episodes of The Les Dawson Show were produced until a Christmas special in 1987. Comedy writers David Nobbs and Barry Cryer were recruited for the special, but much of the content was material rehashed from Dawson's earlier sketch comedy series, Sez Les.[19] BBC1 repeated the special on 21 December 1988.[20]

Series 5

Dawson was still host of Blankety Blank when The Les Dawson Show resumed for a fifth series in 1989, and he was optimistic about the show's return.[1] He recalls taping the series premiere at the BBC's Television Centre in London: "We had a twenty-five piece orchestra under the baton of John Coleman, John Nettles to partner me in the sketches, and, as a special guest, Shirley Bassey".[1] Roy Barraclough was among the scriptwriters, and the show had a new producer: Stewart Morris.[7] When the 1989 series aired, however, the ratings disappointed Dawson greatly.[1] He ascribed the failure to a decision made by BBC1 to premiere the show during the broadcast run of Blankety Blank, rather than after.[1] The final episode of The Les Dawson Show was a Christmas special that aired on 30 December 1989—five weeks after the series five finale, and a few days after the Blankety Blank Christmas special.[21] Blankety Blank, too, was soon cancelled; the 1989–1990 series was its last until BBC1 revived the programme in 1998, with Paul O'Grady as host. Dawson died of a heart attack in 1993.

Episodes

In addition to five series of six episodes, there were three Christmas specials and a bank holiday special. A comedy sketch was also featured in a 1982 Christmas special called The Funny Side of Christmas.[22]

Series 1 (1978)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byOriginal air date
11"Episode 1"Phil BishopDavid Renwick, Peter Robinson, Mick Loftus, Les Dawson, Eddie BrabenJohn Ammonds21 January 1978 (1978-01-21)[23]
Featuring the Dougie Squires Dancers. Guest actors: Glynn Edwards and David Jason
22"Episode 2"Phil BishopDavid Renwick, Peter Robinson, Les Dawson, Eddie BrabenJohn Ammonds4 February 1978 (1978-02-04)[24]
Featuring the Dougie Squires Dancers. Guest actors: Royce Mills and Daphne Riggs
33"Episode 3"Phil BishopDavid Renwick, Peter Robinson, Les Dawson, Eddie BrabenJohn Ammonds18 February 1978 (1978-02-18)[25]
Featuring the Dougie Squires Dancers. Guest actors: June Jago, Maureen Lane, and Kenneth Watson
44"Episode 4"Phil BishopDavid Renwick, Peter Robinson, Tony Hare, Tom Magee-Englefield, Les Dawson, Eddie BrabenJohn Ammonds4 March 1978 (1978-03-04)[26]
Featuring the Dougie Squires Dancers. Guest actor: Claire Nielson
55"Episode 5"Phil BishopDavid Renwick, Peter Robinson, Peter Vincent, Dennis Berson, Les Dawson, Carry ChambersJohn Ammonds18 March 1978 (1978-03-18)[27]
Featuring the Dougie Squires Dancers. Guest actors: Jacqueline Clarke, Vicki Michelle, and Ralph Watson
66"Episode 6"Phil BishopDavid Renwick, Peter Robinson, Mick Loftus, Les Dawson, Eddie BrabenJohn Ammonds1 April 1978 (1978-04-01)[28]
Featuring the Dougie Squires Dancers. Guest actors: Raymond Mason, Claire Nielson, and Michael Stainton

Spring bank holiday special (1981)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byRuntimeOriginal air date
71"[unknown / untitled]"Phil BishopTerry Ravenscroft, Peter Vincent, Peter Robinson, Tony HareErnest Maxin45 min.[29]25 May 1981 (1981-05-25)[6]
Featuring Kids International, Roy Barraclough, and Los Gauchos

Series 2 (1982)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byOriginal air date
81"Episode 1"Phil BishopLes Dawson, Terry Ravenscroft, Peter Vincent, Peter Robinson, Tony Hare, Roy BarracloughErnest Maxin30 January 1982 (1982-01-30)[30]
Featuring Kids International. Musical guests: Helen Shapiro and Rodney Friend
92"Episode 2"Phil BishopLes Dawson, Terry Ravenscroft, Peter Vincent, Peter Robinson, Tony HareErnest Maxin6 February 1982 (1982-02-06)[31]
Featuring Kids International. Guest: Helen Gelzer
103"Episode 3"Phil BishopLes Dawson, Terry Ravenscroft, Peter Vincent, Peter Robinson, Tony HareErnest Maxin13 February 1982 (1982-02-13)[32]
Featuring Kids International. Guest: Lena Zavaroni
114"Episode 4"Phil BishopTerry Ravenscroft, Peter Vincent, Peter Robinson, Tony HareErnest Maxin20 February 1982 (1982-02-20)[33]
Featuring Kids International and Roy Barraclough
125"Episode 5"Phil BishopLes Dawson, Terry Ravenscroft, Peter Vincent, Peter Robinson, Tony HareErnest Maxin27 February 1982 (1982-02-27)[34]
Featuring Kids International and Roy Barraclough. Guests: John Arnatt and Len Lowe
136"Episode 6"Phil BishopLes Dawson, Roy Barraclough, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin6 March 1982 (1982-03-06)[35]
Featuring Kids International and Roy Barraclough. Musical guest: Denise Nolan (formerly of The Nolan Sisters)

Series 3 (1983)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byOriginal air date
141"Episode 1"Ernest MaxinLes Dawson, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin15 January 1983 (1983-01-15)[36]
Featuring the Roly-Polys. Musical guest: Grace Kennedy[29]
152"Episode 2"Ernest MaxinLes Dawson, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin22 January 1983 (1983-01-22)[37]
Featuring the Roly-Polys. Guests: Karen Fell and Daphne Oxenford[29]
163"Episode 3"Ernest MaxinLes Dawson, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin29 January 1983 (1983-01-29)[38]
Featuring the Roly-Polys and Eli Woods. Musical guests: Steve 'n' Bonnie[29]
174"Episode 4"Ernest MaxinLes Dawson, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin5 February 1983 (1983-02-05)[39]
Featuring the Roly-Polys. Musical guest: Jade[29]
185"Episode 5"Ernest MaxinLes Dawson, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin12 February 1983 (1983-02-12)[40]
Featuring the Roly-Polys and Eli Woods. Musical guests: Steve 'n' Bonnie[29]
196"Episode 6"Ernest MaxinLes Dawson, Terry RavenscroftErnest Maxin19 February 1983 (1983-02-19)[41]
Featuring the Roly-Polys and Eli Woods. Musical guests: The Andersons[29]

Series 4 (1984)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byOriginal air date
201"Episode 1"?Les Dawson, Terry RavenscroftRobin Nash21 January 1984 (1984-01-21)[42]
Featuring the Roly-Polys and Roy Barraclough, "Big Mick" Walter, and Eli Woods. Guest: Bertice Reading
212"Episode 2"?Les Dawson, Terry RavenscroftRobin Nash28 January 1984 (1984-01-28)[43]
Featuring the Roly-Polys, Roy Barraclough, and Colin Edwynn. Guest: Karen Kay
223"Episode 3"?Les Dawson, Terry RavenscroftRobin Nash4 February 1984 (1984-02-04)[44]
Featuring the Roly-Polys, Roy Barraclough, and Eli Woods. Guests: Bryan Pringle and Madeline Bell
234"Episode 4"?Les Dawson, Terry RavenscroftRobin Nash11 February 1984 (1984-02-11)[45]
Featuring the Roly-Polys. Guests: Stephanie Lawrence and Diana King
245"Episode 5"?Les Dawson, Terry RavenscroftRobin Nash18 February 1984 (1984-02-18)[46]
Featuring the Roly-Polys, Roy Barraclough, Eli Woods, "Big Mick" Walter, and Vicki Michelle. Guest: Gloria Hunniford
256"Episode 6"?Les Dawson, Terry RavenscroftRobin Nash25 February 1984 (1984-02-25)[47]
Featuring the Roly-Polys, Roy Barraclough, and Eli Woods. Guest: Bertice Reading

Christmas special (1987)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byRuntimeOriginal air date
261"[unknown or untitled]"John BishopLes Dawson, Barry Cryer, David NobbsJohn Bishop50 minutes[29]28 December 1987 (1987-12-28)[48]
Featuring the Roly-Polys, Graeme Garden, Brian Godfrey, Peter Goodwright, Johnny More, Mo Moreland, Patrick Mower, Jane Marie Osborne, and Toni Palmer

Series 5 (1989)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byOriginal air date
281"Episode 1"?Les Dawson, Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, Gavin Osbon, Andy WalkerStewart Morris19 October 1989 (1989-10-19)[49]
Featuring Lia Malcolm and Elio Pace. Guests: Shirley Bassey and John Nettles
292"Episode 2"?Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, Gavin Osbon, Andy WalkerStewart Morris26 October 1989 (1989-10-26)[50]
Featuring Lia Malcolm. Guests: Randy Crawford, Leslie Grantham, and Status Quo
303"Episode 3"?Les Dawson, Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, Gavin Osbon, Andy WalkerStewart Morris2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)[51]
Featuring Brenda Cochrane, Jay Jolley, and Lia Malcolm. Guests: Brian Blessed and David Essex
314"Episode 4"?Les Dawson, Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, Gavin Osbon, Andy WalkerStewart Morris9 November 1989 (1989-11-09)[52]
Featuring the Roly-Polys and Lia Malcolm. Guests: Elkie Brooks, Gerard Kenny, and Dennis Waterman
325"Episode 5"?Les Dawson, Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, Gavin Osbon, Andy WalkerStewart Morris16 November 1989 (1989-11-16)[53]
Featuring Rose-Marie and Lia Malcolm. Guests: Chas & Dave, Diamond and Layton, and Evelyn Glennie
336"Episode 6"?Les Dawson, Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, Gavin Osbon, Andy WalkerStewart Morris23 November 1989 (1989-11-23)[54]
Featuring Wayne Eagling and Lia Malcolm. Guests: Leo Sayer, Christopher Timothy, and the Fairer Sax.

Christmas special (1989)

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byOriginal air date
341"[unknown or untitled]"?Les Dawson, Charlie Adams, Paul Alexander, and Gavin OsbonStewart Morris30 December 1989 (1989-12-30)[55]
Featuring Stuart Anderson, Michael Corder, Jay Jolley, and Lia Malcolm. Guests: Michael Ball, Marti Webb, and John Williams.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Dawson, Les (2013) [1992]. No Tears for the Clown: An Autobiography. Michael O'Mara Books. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-78243-189-3.
  2. ^ a b "The Les Dawson Show (1982)". BFI Film & TV Database. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  3. ^ Thomson, Graeme (2015). Under the Ivy: The Life & Music of Kate Bush (New ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 101. ISBN 9781783233922. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  4. ^ a b Barfe (2012), p. 272–73
  5. ^ "The Les Dawson Show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  6. ^ a b "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 25 May 1981)". BBC Genome Project. BBC.
  7. ^ a b Pollock, David (1 June 2017). "Obituary - Roy Barraclough, actor and star of Coronation Street". The Herald. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  8. ^ Barfe (2012), p. 146
  9. ^ Hazzan, Geoffrey; Hazzan, Joan (2012). Adventures in Chocolate: Hand-Made Truffles at Geoffroi. Thirdage. p. 17. ISBN 9780982759585. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  10. ^ Perry et al. (2014), p. 329
  11. ^ Barfe (2012), p. 167
  12. ^ Barfe (2012), pp. 167–68
  13. ^ "Roly Poly Star Mo Dumped". The Mirror. London. 13 March 1998. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-02-15 – via HighBeam Research.
  14. ^ Barfe (2012), p. 168
  15. ^ Barfe (2012) p. 169
  16. ^ Hughes, Maureen (2013). "Great British Dames Past and Present". A History of Pantomime. Pen & Sword Books. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-84468-077-1.
  17. ^ "Margaret "Meg" Plant Dawson". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  18. ^ Waterman, Ivan (20 April 1986). "Tragic Lezs Cuts Out the Wife Jokes". News of the World. p. 13.
  19. ^ Barfe (2012), p. 185
  20. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 21 December 1988)". BBC Genome Project. BBC.
  21. ^ "Blankety Blank Christmas (BBC One London, 27 December 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  22. ^ Perry et al. (2014), p. 232
  23. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 21 January 1978)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  24. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 4 February 1978)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  25. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 18 February 1978)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  26. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 3 March 1978)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  27. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 18 March 1978)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  28. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 1 April 1978)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h Barfe (2012), p. 273
  30. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 30 January 1982)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  31. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 6 February 1982)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  32. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 13 February 1982)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  33. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 20 February 1982)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  34. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 27 February 1982)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  35. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 6 March 1982)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  36. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 15 January 1983)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  37. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 22 January 1983)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  38. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 29 January 1983)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  39. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 5 February 1983)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  40. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 12 February 1983)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  41. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 19 February 1983)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  42. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 21 January 1984)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  43. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 28 January 1984)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  44. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 4 February 1984)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  45. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 11 February 1984)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  46. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 18 February 1984)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  47. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 25 February 1984)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  48. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 28 December 1987)". BBC Genome Project. BBC.
  49. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 19 October 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  50. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 26 October 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  51. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 2 November 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  52. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 9 November 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  53. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 16 November 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  54. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 23 November 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  55. ^ "The Les Dawson Show (BBC One London, 30 December 1989)". BBC Genome Project. BBC.

References

External links

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