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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 11h

"Big Day At Freezi-Pops", the fifth episode of the fourth series of 'Rosie' with Paul Greenwood was first broadcast on 16/10/81. Though popular enough to warrant four series, internal documents show that the BBC were never sure what to make of the show. Its fourth run would be its last. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 1d

The amount of material that has been uncovered in the course of one year has kept us very busy. Deleted scenes from Thunderbirds, Supercar, and Four Feather Falls are obviously headliners, but I've a very soft spot for the Crossroads to Crime score...

youtu.be/UH4CadYQGq4

Rescuing the Past: Lost Media Discoveries (Thunderbirds, Space: 1999, Silent Movies and MORE)

YouTube video by Century 21 Films

youtu.be

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 1d

On 15/10/95 not one, but two Roy Clarke productions were screened on the same channel on the same night. Summer Wine's "The Suit That Turned Left" and Keeping Up Appearances' "The Boy Friend". This has to be a pretty rare occurrence for a comedy writer. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 2d

If you were an alien visitor with your pick of the litter, would you choose to regularly abduct Mr Machin? He certainly things so in "Boosting Sales", an episode of Still Open All Hours screened on 14/10/18. Meanwhile, a divorcee arrives looking for a distraction. #clarkeaday

Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 3d

"Singing For Emmet" was first shown on 13/10/94 & this clip shows off just how strong the cast of Keeping Up Appearances was. From Routledge's force of personality, to Tewson's flapping, to Griffin's simmering rage, to Swift's physical pain, they are all on top form. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 3d

Catching up with yesterday's #clarkeaday, on 12/10/94 the fifth episode of 'The Wanderer' was shown on Sky 1. In "Castle Takes Knight" Adam is forced to remember more about his hidden past.

Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 5d

On this day in 1984 (11/10/84), the final episode of 'The Magnificent Evans' aired on BBC1. Neither Roy Clarke or Ronnie Barker were happy with the way this series turned out – with the star and writer unsure of the material and the interpretation respectively. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 6d

Not safe for work image warning... The "place in the country" arc continues on 'Keeping Up Appearances', as Hyacinth comes to realise here are varying degrees of part ownership of a mansion. First shown on 10/10/93 #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 7d

The late 1970s UK western craze is explored in today's #clarkeaday, the Summer Wine episode "Deep in the Heart of Yorkshire", first screened on 9/10/79. Featuring some of my favourite visuals of the series, including Sid looking like Lou Costello.

Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 8d

On 8/10/89, 'First of the Summer Wine' concluded after one special & two series. Roy had more prequel stories to tell & counts the cancellation as one of the big disappointments of his career. As with 'Last of' years later, 'First of' finishes with a wedding #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 9d

One of my favourites of the genre is the tie-in to the Dad's Army film from 1971. Lots of inner monologue and a rather serious tone underlying the comedy.

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 9d

I'd forgotten about the strike. Had that not happened and production and broadcast stayed on track, Summer Wine likely would have ended after three series.

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 9d

Though the date is a little fuzzy, the 7th of October 1974 appears to be the original publication date for Roy Clarke's 'Last of the Summer Wine' novel. Thoughtful, funny, and with words you couldn't say on a 1970s BBC sitcom, it is a wonderful book. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 10d

The 'Keeping Up Appearances' episode "Onslow's Birthday" was first shown on 6/10/1992. @dirtyfeed.org has written some essential articles on what Onslow was watching on TV during various episodes of the series that you can start reading here: tinyurl.com/2vwmrj9t #clarkeaday

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Reposted by Andrew T. Smith

The Twelve Hour Foundation @12hrfoundation.bsky.social · 12d

Huge thanks to @bobfischer.bsky.social and all at @mulgraveaudio.bsky.social for the #Patchwuff album and postcard. We were thrilled have played a tiny part in the project, which features both Sandra Kerr (of Bagpuss fame) and Valerie Singleton. Check out all releases:
mulgraveaudio.bandcamp.com

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 11d

For today's #clarkeaday we have "False Witness", which aired on Sky1 on 5/10/94. This is the 4th episode of 'The Wanderer', a centuries spanning 'Highlander'-esque fantasy, the title sequence is something to behold. The strangest Roy Clarke project of all?

Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 12d

If one was asked to explain 20th century British sitcom to an alien, one could do worse than to show our new overlords this image from "Richard's New Hobby", an episode of Keeping Up Appearances" first screened on 4/10/92 on BBC1. Just needs a vicar, really. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 13d

Indeed!

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 13d

And Hetty Wainthropp! And Talking Heads!

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 13d

The above photo is of her in the studio with Vincent Price for the recording of the cast album of the Broadway show 'Darling of the Day' – well worth a listen.

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 13d

I'm the biggest admirer of Roy Clarke out there, but it's fair to say that it is impossible to imagine Keeping Up Appearances working without the force of talent that was Patricia Routledge. And that series only represents a fraction of her body of work. RIP

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 13d

Hyacinth Bucket terrorises the police in "Looking At Properties", first broadcast on BBC1 on 3/10/1993. This episode was part of a short-lived Keeping Up Appearances series four arc in which the Buckets looked for a place in the country. #clarkeaday

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 14d

For today's #clarkeaday we have 'Pulaski', first broadcast on BBC1 on 2/10/1987. This was the latest of Roy's attempts to crack crime drama – his first literary love. RT did their best to explain the series within a series concept for their cover that week.

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Reposted by Andrew T. Smith

Karl Benson @karlbenson.bsky.social · 16d

I was away over the weekend and my copy of 'Patchwuff' was waiting for me. I played it last night. Wow.

It's a magical record and, rather like Celia Johnson, I think I must have something in my eye...

Cap well and truly doffed to all concerned.

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Andrew T. Smith @andrewtsmith.bsky.social · 15d

Thank you for the kind words, Karl.

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