A late-night showcase for the burgeoning alternative comedy scene of the late 1980s.
Presided over by comedian and compere Arthur Smith, each edition of this stand-up series presented a new lineup of performers from the London live circuit. The format was simple and direct: Smith would introduce three or four acts who would then perform short sets to a studio audience. The bills were a deliberate miscellany of stand-up comedians, musicians, poets, and assorted performance artists, attempting to capture the variety of the live scene.
The programme is a vital television document, capturing a host of future household names in their raw, formative stages. Scheduled in a late-night slot, its unpolished production aesthetic was a deliberate attempt to replicate the authentic atmosphere of a comedy club. This approach gave a television break to performers who were shaping the next wave of British comedy. Early appearances by acts such as Steve Coogan, Jack Dee, and Eddie Izzard give the series a bit of historical significance, making it a key record of a pivotal moment in UK stand-up.
Broadcast: ITV – LWT, 17 Episodes, 7 April 1988 – 26 May 1989
Executive Producer: Marcus Plantin
Producers: Juliet Blake, Trevor Hopkins
Directors: John Birkin, David G. Croft
Main Cast: Arthur Smith (Presenter)
