The comedy maestro Paul Whitehouse continues his celebration of the sketch show genre with an exploration of the 1980s. This era saw a wave of alternative comedians burst onto the screens, reflecting the turbulence of the new decade.
In the 1980s, Oxbridge dominated the comedy landscape, with shows like Not The Nine O’Clock News combining topical wit with daft humour. The Footlights also introduced us to the brilliant duo of Fry & Laurie, whose sketch comedy remains hilarious decades later.
Beyond the Oxbridge bubble, regional voices emerged with distinct flavors. Victoria Wood offered razor-sharp northern humor, while Naked Video brought a Scottish perspective and introduced us to Gregor Fisher’s iconic Rab C Nesbitt. The decade also saw the arrival of more black talent on screen, led by the trailblazing Lenny Henry.
Whitehouse’s episode celebrates and examines this diverse and groundbreaking comedy landscape of the 1980s, showing just how much sketch shows both mirrored and shaped British culture and humour.
Paul Whitehouse’s Sketch Show Years: The 1980s airs Thursday 4 July 2024 on Gold.
