Boggenstrovia's 11th Bit of Christmas - Baxter's Choice Cuts

Christmas, what does it mean for you? It might be the Christmas spirit, it might be the food, it might be the presents etc.. But it comes as no surprise, that the highlight of Christmas must be the Queen's Speech. But hold on, that's not the Queen...

"I never watch him..."

Stanley Baxter, what can we say about him? Well, for many years he was the highlight of Christmas both on ITV and the BBC as well. Baxter in himself was a master of comedy, but the cream of the crop had to be the Duchess of Brendagh. At that time an impression of the Queen was seen to be taking the mickey of the head of state, never referenced as such in the sketches but such was the influence of Baxter, that staff in the royal household used the the title privately. For nearly 25 years, his specials and series were as good anything and such was the influence that in 2008 when ITV made a retrospective about his shows, young comedians queued up to praise him for what influence that he had on them. Plus Baxter made new sketches for the show, serving as a reminder of what a performer he is.

The shows were made lushious by the orchestration from Alyn Ainsworth but not only that the direction of what was highly technical scenes which may involved Baxter play all the parts being filmed individually piece by piece and the skill in editing as well to stitch it together to make it look as real as possible. The set pieces especially in the Christmas shows were written wonderfully, but captured the essence of what ever movie or television programme they were taking off. A perfect example of this is Towering Quake '75 from Stanley Baxter's Christmas Box, with disaster movies being all the rage at this time, Baxter used this to be able to pull off a perfect parody of the genre. Below is the 9 minutes and 32 seconds of joy which is that, showing what a master he is.

Oh dear, what can the matter be?

All of Stanley's characters are stuck in the lavatory...

But the one sketch which get me is Stanley's Nationwide sketch, taking the process of Nationwide and giving a spin from Stanley... Enjoy and don't forget to pass that cake around the regions.... 

Getting away with it Scot-free...

Back tommorow as we arrive at the 12th and final bit of Christmas, so I do hope you can join me then...

Boggenstrovia's 10th Bit of Christmas... Consider yourself... to be lucky not to miss this...

So, BBC1 are running a campaign to make us 'feel at home' and part of their Christmas. Some of you might say 'Bah, humbug!' or 'Poppycock!' at the mention a television channel trying to inject some spirit into the festive season with it branding and positioning of it.


For so long in Britain, we have rejected this style of 'Here we are!' promotions, which are more prevalent in America with the networks over there. But its strange to think that this maybe a fallacy of broadcasting in this country, it might just be the British psyche that it doesn't represent us. Though you would be wrong in thinking this at all, it is Christmas where the selection box of stars are wheeled out to show themselves and the recognisable faces are given the chance to address the nation like kings and queens of broadcasting and entertainment.


Take for example this promotion from BBC1 at Christmas 1981, in showing that the channel isn't all about entertainment but also what else they do as well...

"All warm and Cuddly Ken..."

So we start with The Two Ronnies, the BBC's number one double act at that time. Both Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, stalwarts of the Christmas schedule by now are put first to be to recognised by all and as they were loved by nearly all at that for their shows. Such a safe pair of hands, they were asked to do the BBC's Christmas Night with the Stars. At that time the BBC's flagship programme on Christmas night, so something for all...

With appearances from the Swap Shop team, Les Dawson, Ken Dodd even the BBC news and the Tommorrow's World team, this shows the branding of the channel or maybe a more innocent age of a television station caring about its loyal viewers. 

But what about ITV? They maybe commercial, it may seem that the adverts the channel now but even they would treat Christmas as something special. In terms of the 15 companies they may have separate by each producing their own programmes, but they formed a united front when it came to Christmas presentation. Knowing full well, that in competing with the BBC, they had to make sure they were on the top of their game. 

Chas and Dave, like fish and chips... Without the fish... or the chips

The example above comes from ITV in Christmas 1982, straight off the bat comes Lennie Bennett, who earlier had help launch TSW into life. Its easy to forget that Lennie Bennett was on of ITV's biggest stars in the early 1980's with Punchlines, such was its success that be afforded   an early evening spot was treasured by most shows. 3-2-1 had that spot on Christmas Day, being able to pull in the viewers. With a bit of pre evening meal entertainment, as far as that goes, its good enough fair by either show

The programme at 7pm on Christmas Eve is a bit of a mystery really, it purpitrates to be a celebration of Music, Comedy and Dance called 'A Christmas Lantern'. I'm guessing Wayne Sleep and Roger Whittaker were involved in it somewhere, but as a presenting wrapping programme, its one to settle down and relax to. Its of its time really, being presented with the now would maybe confuse people as they are used to overnight sensations made over months and months on some reality show or other. Ok, rant over about that. But is like a trick is missed sometimes, thought I will give ITV its due for getting someone like Michael Buble to do a show for them, maybe not all is lost then. 

Though its rounded with Gary Terzza making a joke, but its the style of ITV's friendly style and also of the in-vision continuity announcer. At Christmas, they came into their own and into living rooms everywhere. With the continuity booths turned into Christmas parlours adding to the illusion of roaring fireplaces, such is the imagery which this created in people's mind. Wheither it is a simple Christmas tree or the full on lounge effect, they are able to make that powerful case of television at Christmas...