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Post by Dirty Epic on Jul 31, 2020 10:54:34 GMT
Does anyone remember The Detectives which featured Jasper Carrott, Robert Powell and George Sewell along with Tony Selby too? It became a proper 30 minute show in it’s own right from a brief sketch show in Canned Carrott, in the early 90’s? A unique comedic tribute to The Sweeney, with maybe bits and pieces of other things like Special Branch thrown in it featured the escapades of bumbling (Flying Squad?) detectives David Briggs (Powell) and Bob Louis (Carrott) who’s activities were much to the irritation/annoyance of their boss Superintendent Cottam (Sewell) who was always looking for ways to be rid of them.
I saw it as a nice comedy tribute to The Sweeney and at the time it probably gave things like The Sweeney, Pro’s etc. a bit of interest and nostalgia when up to that point they seemed a little bit shunned, a little bit forgotten.
The episodes were a very tongue and cheek parody of say things which went down in the likes of The Sweeney etc. like murder, escaped convicts, sieges, smuggling, gang war, undercover work etc. and some of these stories even crossed over to things like The Paradise Club and Bergerac and had supporting roles from actors/personalities like Tim Healy, Barry Cryer, Mike Reid, Jerry Hall, Bill Oddie, Michael Melia, Christopher Ellison, Herbert Lom, Rula Lenska and (erm) Jimmy Tarbuck. Usually when Briggs and Louis got assigned a case they'd mess it up with sometimes almost catastrophic results... but somehow more luck than judgement they'd find a way to rescue themselves usually with a few giggles along the way! I’ve been meaning to get the DVD’s for a fair while but just not got around to it, strangely enough it’s the only bit of ‘The Paradise Club’ which has had a DVD release LOL! Probably like most things I may remember it much better than what it was but I think on the whole it was a very good and enjoyable comedy tribute mainly to The Sweeney from what it seems fans of the show. Any remember or else like it?
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Jul 31, 2020 13:10:32 GMT
I remember it being on but I didn't watch it for some reason. Jasper Carrott & Robert Powell seemed like an odd pairing & from memory weren't they a little too stupid? Would be interesting to watch it today though, shows that you once thought were a bit crap now don't seem too bad.
Funny you mention all those guest stars Dirty as I've always thought BBC detective shows had too many, rather like the later series of Minder.
'Operation Good Guys' was another police parody, from what I remember it was pretty funny & probably worth a look if you didn't see it at the time.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Jul 31, 2020 14:31:27 GMT
I vaguely remember it and haven't seen it since it was first shown. I didn't think it was all that good personally, sort of watchable if there was nothing else on
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Dickie Cork
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Post by Dickie Cork on Nov 5, 2020 11:46:53 GMT
Funnily enough my dad sent me the whole series last month after he finished watching it. He loved it so I've started watching it as well. We are both big Anthony Valentine fans (he deserves his own thread by the way) and he pops up in it.
Funniest episode so far is one where the Detectives head off on assignment to Jersey and, you guessed it, they have to report to Jim Bergerac. Charlie Hungerford is also in it so it plays out like an odd Bergerac episode.
It is a sitcom really so is written very much in that style.
Worth a look in my view.
Dickie
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Nov 5, 2020 13:14:57 GMT
I enjoyed both Canned Carrot and The Detectives. I seem to remember it dividing opinion at the time regarding the silliness of the leads . I can see why it's light-hearted outlook wouldn't be a winner with some. I think it ran for a few series too. Would give this one a spin.
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Post by Sam Tyler on Nov 5, 2020 18:17:30 GMT
I watched The Detectives from time to time. It was never a 'must see' or something I'd set the video up for but I did usually find it humorous. Annie didn't really rate it very highly so wouldn't really take the time to watch it.
Overall I think it would have been better kept as a series of sketches during Canned Carrot which is where I'd enjoyed it more.
I'd probably give it another watch nowadays and am sure it would compete reasonably well with the sanitised 'comedy' that we're often dealt these days.
Sam.
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Post by John Steed on Nov 5, 2020 21:33:52 GMT
I seem to remember The Detectives as being quite amusing. I don't think it was "Must see tv" but quite enjoyable, harmless fun. Steed
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