Ben Elton

Ben Elton

Already a successful comedian, Ben Elton turned to writing situation comedies during the 1980s and penned BBC classics such as "The Young Ones" (1982), "Black-Adder II" (1986), "Black Adder the Third" (1987), "Blackadder 4" (1989) and during the 1990s "The Thin Blue Line" (1995). He provided lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, "The Beautiful Game", which was nominated for Best Musical at the Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards in 2001 (2000 season). His comedy, "Popcorn", performed at the Apollo Theatre, was awarded the 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of the 1997 season. He and Andrew Lloyd Webber were awarded the 2000 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) for Best New Musical for "The Beautiful Game", performed at the Cambridge Theatre. Has three children : Bert, Lottie and Fred. Is co-writer of the Queen Musical 'We Will Rock You' with the band itself. He and Richard Curtis were offered the chance to write "Police Academy - The London Beat", but turned it down. Was a host of The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live (2006) (TV).

  • Title: Ben Elton
  • Popularity: 8.548
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1959-05-03
  • Place of Birth:
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Mr. Ben Elton
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Ben Elton Movies

  • 2006
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    When Comedy Changed Forever

    When Comedy Changed Forever

    1 2006 HD

    The history of British comedy from the 1970s to today, showing how the work of Reeves and Mortimer provided a link between old-style acts such as...

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  • 1987
    imgMovies

    The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball

    The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball

    5 1987 HD

    When the British Amnesty shows finally resumed in 1987 after a six-year hiatus, the show format was retooled in an effort to take advantage of the...

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  • 2023
    imgMovies

    Blackadder: The Lost Pilot

    Blackadder: The Lost Pilot

    7 2023 HD

    Sir Tony Robinson takes a journey back in time to find out where Blackadder really began, and to uncover the story of the previously-unseen pilot...

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

    The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball

    7.5 1989 HD

    After the criticisms of the 1987 show’s disproportionate focus on music - and the financial disaster of its music-only Festival Of Youth...

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  • 2023
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster

    Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster

    1 2023 HD

    The railways are in crisis, from mass cancellations to soaring prices. Comedian Ben Elton embarks on a northern rail misadventure. Is rail...

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  • 2023
    imgMovies

    Blackadder: A Cunning Story

    Blackadder: A Cunning Story

    8 2023 HD

    A look back at the making of the entire Blackadder series to commemorate its 40th anniversary, featuring contributions from Blackadder's biggest fans...

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  • 1994
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    Filth!

    Filth!

    1 1994 HD

    In the late Eighties, there had been a series of comedy concerts (modelled on the Amnesty International “Secret Policeman’s Ball...

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  • 2022
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: Live

    Ben Elton: Live

    8 2022 HD

    Era-defining comedian Ben Elton returns to stand up comedy. The ‘Godfather’ of modern British stand up is back behind the mic bringing...

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  • 2008
    imgMovies

    We Are Most Amused

    We Are Most Amused

    7.2 2008 HD

    We Are Most Amused was a gala event held at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 12 November 2008 in honour of the 60th birthday of Charles, Prince of Wales,...

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  • 2007
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: The Get A Grip Tour Live

    Ben Elton: The Get A Grip Tour Live

    1 2007 HD

    Ben Elton, the multi award winning writer, performer and comic is back on stage after ten years with his new un-cut live show and time has definitely...

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  • 1997
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    Ben Elton: Live

    Ben Elton: Live

    1 1997 HD

    Although an incredibly successful writer, it is as a stand-up comedian that Ben Elton is most famous. In 1997 over 300,000 ecstatic fans around the...

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  • 1993
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: Very Live

    Ben Elton: Very Live

    1 1993 HD

    Not just a tour but a Tour de Force, for this was the tour that grew. Originally planned to play just 40 dates, such was it's phenomenal success that...

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker

    The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker

    8 2012 HD

    Programme telling the story of Ronnie Barker, a quiet dedicated actor who might have been a bank manager but went on to become one of the country's...

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  • 2014
    imgMovies

    Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

    Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule

    7.3 2014 HD

    Comedian Rik Mayall died suddenly on 9 June 2014. Mayall's blend of rocket-fuelled physical comedy, surrealism, subversive satire and pompous punk...

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Laughs and Larrikins

    Laughs and Larrikins

    1 1970 HD

    Midday with Ray Martin from 1985 - 1993.

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  • 1993
    imgMovies

    Much Ado About Nothing

    Much Ado About Nothing

    6.943 1993 HD

    In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding...

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  • 2008
    imgMovies

    Blackadder Rides Again

    Blackadder Rides Again

    7.7 2008 HD

    This documentary marks the 25th anniversary since the first transmission of The Black Adder in 1983 and reunites the iconic cast to give their...

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  • 1997
    imgMovies

    The Story of Bean

    The Story of Bean

    7.1 1997 HD

    Pending release of the movie "Bean," Rowan Atkinson reflects on his comedy career and reveals how his comic creation Mr Bean evolved. This 1997...

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  • 2018
    imgMovies

    The London Studios: Home of the Stars

    The London Studios: Home of the Stars

    1 2018 HD

    The end of an era as the studios where ITV filmed its many shows for 45 years closes its doors for the last time.

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  • 2018
    imgMovies

    How The Young Ones Changed Comedy

    How The Young Ones Changed Comedy

    7 2018 HD

    This documentary explores the legacy of one of the most notorious British sitcoms of all time. Launching alternative comedy onto our screens, the...

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    The Comic Relief Utterly Utterly Rude Video Live

    The Comic Relief Utterly Utterly Rude Video Live

    6 1986 HD

    In April 1986, inspired by the previous summer's bombastic Live Aid event and the success of Amnesty's first four Secret Policeman's Ball shows, the...

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  • 2008
    imgMovies

    Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments

    Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments

    8 2008 HD

    A countdown of the top 40 "Blackadder" moments chosen by cast and crew members, celebrity fans and 15 genuine Blackadders.

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  • 2006
    imgMovies

    Is Benny Hill Still Funny?

    Is Benny Hill Still Funny?

    1 2006 HD

    A documentary looking at the life of Benny Hill and with the use of an audience reaction test finding out if he is still funny to contemporary...

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  • 2000
    imgMovies

    Maybe Baby

    Maybe Baby

    5.4 2000 HD

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  • 2000
    imgMovies

    Maybe Baby

    Maybe Baby

    5.4 2000 HD

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  • 2000
    imgMovies

    Maybe Baby

    Maybe Baby

    5.4 2000 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    Love Never Dies

    Love Never Dies

    7 2012 HD

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  • 1992
    imgMovies

    Rowan Atkinson Live

    Rowan Atkinson Live

    8 1992 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Blackadder: The Cavalier Years

    Blackadder: The Cavalier Years

    7.1 1988 HD

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  • 2010
    imgMovies

    The One Ronnie

    The One Ronnie

    7.4 2010 HD

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  • 2022
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: Live

    Ben Elton: Live

    8 2022 HD

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  • 1991
    imgMovies

    Mr. Bean Takes an Exam

    Mr. Bean Takes an Exam

    7.5 1991 HD

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  • 1994
    imgMovies

    Filth!

    Filth!

    1 1994 HD

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  • 1999
    imgMovies

    Blackadder: Back & Forth

    Blackadder: Back & Forth

    7 1999 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Blackadder's Christmas Carol

    Blackadder's Christmas Carol

    7.9 1988 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Madness the Pilot

    Madness the Pilot

    6 1970 HD

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  • 2017
    imgMovies

    Three Summers

    Three Summers

    5.7 2017 HD

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  • 2017
    imgMovies

    Three Summers

    Three Summers

    5.7 2017 HD

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  • 2008
    imgMovies

    Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga

    Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga

    8 2008 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    Love Never Dies

    Love Never Dies

    7 2012 HD

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  • 2023
    imgMovies

    Blackadder: A Cunning Story

    Blackadder: A Cunning Story

    8 2023 HD

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  • 2023
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster

    Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster

    1 2023 HD

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  • 1997
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: Live

    Ben Elton: Live

    1 1997 HD

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  • 1993
    imgMovies

    Ben Elton: Very Live

    Ben Elton: Very Live

    1 1993 HD

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  • 2018
    imgMovies

    All Is True

    All Is True

    6.1 2018 HD

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  • 1988
    imgS36 E254

    This Morning

    This Morning

    5.7 1988 HD

    This Morning features a variety of news, as well as show business, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and garden, food, tech, live phone-ins, and...

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  • 1983
    imgS2 E6

    Alfresco

    Alfresco

    6 1983 HD

    A sketch comedy show featuring some of Britain's great comedic talents of the 1980s and 1990s in one of their earliest TV appearances.

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  • 2006
    imgS14 E101

    The One Show

    The One Show

    4.6 2006 HD

    A topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One.

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  • 1976
    imgS1 E15

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

    The Secret Policeman's Ball

    5 1976 HD

    A series of benefit shows staged initially in the United Kingdom to raise funds for the human rights organisation Amnesty International. The shows...

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  • 1982
    imgS2 E6

    The Young Ones

    The Young Ones

    7.9 1982 HD

    The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard,...

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  • 1982
    imgS2 E6

    The Young Ones

    The Young Ones

    7.9 1982 HD

    The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard,...

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  • 2007
    imgS1 E6

    Get a Grip

    Get a Grip

    1 2007 HD

    Get a Grip was a television series shown on ITV in the United Kingdom. It aired on Wednesday nights in April/May 2007 and was hosted by Ben Elton and...

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  • 1986
    imgS1 E1

    Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

    Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

    4 1986 HD

    The comedy event of the year took place in April 1986 at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. All those taking part gave their services free in order...

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  • 1982
    imgS2 E6

    The Young Ones

    The Young Ones

    7.9 1982 HD

    The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard,...

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  • 1982
    imgS2 E6

    The Young Ones

    The Young Ones

    7.9 1982 HD

    The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard,...

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  • 1993
    imgS1 E3

    Stark

    Stark

    5.8 1993 HD

    Stark is a 1993 British-Australian television miniseries, based on the bestselling novel Stark by comedian Ben Elton. The three-episode series,...

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  • 2003
    imgS6 E31

    Enough Rope With Andrew Denton

    Enough Rope With Andrew Denton

    6.5 2003 HD

    Enough Rope with Andrew Denton is a television interview show originally broadcast on ABC1 in Australia. The title of the show came from the phrase...

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  • 1989
    imgS5 E10

    Saturday Night Clive

    Saturday Night Clive

    1 1989 HD

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  • 1996
    imgS4 E12

    Clive Anderson All Talk

    Clive Anderson All Talk

    1 1996 HD

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  • 2002
    imgS5 E45

    V Graham Norton

    V Graham Norton

    5 2002 HD

    V Graham Norton was an entertainment programme shown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom starring Graham Norton, broadcast every weeknight as a...

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  • 1998
    imgS10 E32

    The Heaven and Earth Show

    The Heaven and Earth Show

    3.2 1998 HD

    The Heaven and Earth Show was a BBC television programme that aired on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11am on BBC One. The show ran for nine years...

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  • 1982
    imgS1 E3

    There's Nothing to Worry About!

    There's Nothing to Worry About!

    5 1982 HD

    Short-lived sketch show which is notable today for early appearances by Ben Elton, Dame Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie. Originally...

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  • 1998
    imgS1 E8

    The Ben Elton Show

    The Ben Elton Show

    6 1998 HD

    The Ben Elton Show is a British comedy series, which aired on BBC in 1998.

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  • 1988
    imgS1 E18

    Comic Relief

    Comic Relief

    6 1988 HD

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  • 2009
    imgS1 E246

    Live from Studio Five

    Live from Studio Five

    3.3 2009 HD

    Live from Studio Five was an early-evening British magazine programme which was produced by Sky News for Channel 5. It was presented by Kate Walsh...

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  • 2009
    imgS1 E154

    Angela and Friends

    Angela and Friends

    5 2009 HD

    Daily chat show, hosted by Angela Griffin, that combines topical debate with five lifestyle clubs: Diet and Health, Beauty, Books and Travel,...

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  • 2019
    imgS4 E21

    Have You Been Paying Attention?

    Have You Been Paying Attention?

    7.5 2019 HD

    New Zealand's best and brightest comedians showcase their current affairs prowess unpacking the hot topics of the week: politics, sports, pop culture...

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  • 1990
    imgS2 E6

    Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie

    Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie

    1 1990 HD

    Comedy series written and performed by Ben Elton, primarily based around his stand-up comedy routines, with sketches and parodies.

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  • 1982
    imgS1 E13

    O.T.T.

    O.T.T.

    1 1982 HD

    O.T.T. was a late-night adult version of the anarchic ATV children's show Tiswas, but made by its ITV franchise successor Central Independent...

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  • 2022
    imgS4 E15

    Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

    Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

    2.7 2022 HD

    The big names behind the big stories. Laura Kuenssberg talks to those making the news, inside and outside politics.

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  • 1983
    imgS4 E6

    Blackadder

    Blackadder

    7.976 1983 HD

    Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history, from the muck of the Middle...

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  • 1987
    imgS6 E30

    Going Live!

    Going Live!

    6 1987 HD

    Going Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah...

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  • 2008
    imgS14 E24

    Q&A

    Q&A

    3.8 2008 HD

    Hosted by Hamish Macdonald, Q&A puts punters, pollies and pundits together in the studio to thrash out the hot issues of the week. It's about...

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  • 1979
    imgS47 E13

    Question Time

    Question Time

    5 1979 HD

    This topical debate series based on Any Questions? typically features politicians from at least the three major political parties as well as other...

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  • 1986
    imgS3 E10

    Saturday Live

    Saturday Live

    6.7 1986 HD

    Saturday Live was a British television comedy and music show broadcast by Channel 4 from 1985 to 1987, and in 1988 as Friday Night Live. Influenced...

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  • 1986
    imgS3 E10

    Saturday Live

    Saturday Live

    6.7 1986 HD

    Saturday Live was a British television comedy and music show broadcast by Channel 4 from 1985 to 1987, and in 1988 as Friday Night Live. Influenced...

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  • 1987
    imgS1 E6

    Filthy Rich & Catflap

    Filthy Rich & Catflap

    6.6 1987 HD

    Richie causes trouble in his pursuit of TV fame with Eddie, his alcoholic minder, and Filthy, his sponging agent.

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  • 2024
    imgS1 E11

    The Chris McCausland Show

    The Chris McCausland Show

    1 2024 HD

    Start your Saturday with a laugh in the company of brilliant comedian Chris McCausland! Join Chris on his very brand-new chat show with a brilliant...

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  • 1987
    imgS6 E6

    French & Saunders

    French & Saunders

    7.5 1987 HD

    French and Saunders is a British sketch comedy television series written by and starring comic duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. It is also the...

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  • 1998
    imgS11 E10

    Parkinson

    Parkinson

    1 1998 HD

    Michael Parkinson returns for a second run of his iconic talk show.

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  • 1985
    imgS1 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    6.8 1985 HD

    Happy Families was a rural comedy drama written by Ben Elton which appeared on the BBC in 1985 and told the story of the dysfunctional Fuddle family....

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    6.8 1970 HD

    Happy Families was a rural comedy drama written by Ben Elton which appeared on the BBC in 1985 and told the story of the dysfunctional Fuddle family....

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E8

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    6 1970 HD

    Blessed is a BBC television sitcom written by Ben Elton and starring Ardal O'Hanlon as Gary, a record producer, who is struggling to bring up two...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E14

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    8 1970 HD

    Mr Bean turns simple everyday tasks into chaotic situations and will leave you in stitches as he creates havoc wherever he goes.

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  • 1970
    imgS2 E7

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.1 1970 HD

    The Thin Blue Line is a British sitcom starring Rowan Atkinson set in a police station that ran for two series on the BBC from 1995 to 1996. It was...

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  • 1970
    imgS2 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.9 1970 HD

    The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard,...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E3

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    5.8 1970 HD

    Stark is a 1993 British-Australian television miniseries, based on the bestselling novel Stark by comedian Ben Elton. The three-episode series,...

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  • 1970
    imgS3 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.178 1970 HD

    Comedy about the life and times of William Shakespeare as he starts to make a name for himself in London, whilst also trying to balance life as a...

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  • 1970
    imgS2 E7

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.1 1970 HD

    The Thin Blue Line is a British sitcom starring Rowan Atkinson set in a police station that ran for two series on the BBC from 1995 to 1996. It was...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    6.6 1970 HD

    Richie causes trouble in his pursuit of TV fame with Eddie, his alcoholic minder, and Filthy, his sponging agent.

    img
  • 1970
    imgS4 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.976 1970 HD

    Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history, from the muck of the Middle...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E3

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    5.8 1970 HD

    Stark is a 1993 British-Australian television miniseries, based on the bestselling novel Stark by comedian Ben Elton. The three-episode series,...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E3

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    5 1970 HD

    Short-lived sketch show which is notable today for early appearances by Ben Elton, Dame Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie. Originally...

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  • 1970
    imgS2 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    6 1970 HD

    A sketch comedy show featuring some of Britain's great comedic talents of the 1980s and 1990s in one of their earliest TV appearances.

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  • 1970
    imgS2 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    4.8 1970 HD

    Four girls share a flat together in London. Having nothing in common aside from their gender, they barely manage to co-exist.

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  • 1970
    imgS2 E7

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.1 1970 HD

    The Thin Blue Line is a British sitcom starring Rowan Atkinson set in a police station that ran for two series on the BBC from 1995 to 1996. It was...

    img
  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    6.6 1970 HD

    Richie causes trouble in his pursuit of TV fame with Eddie, his alcoholic minder, and Filthy, his sponging agent.

    img
  • 1970
    imgS2 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.9 1970 HD

    The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard,...

    img
  • 1970
    imgS4 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.976 1970 HD

    Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history, from the muck of the Middle...

    img
  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    5.167 1970 HD

    The Wright Way was a British television sitcom written by Ben Elton which began airing on BBC One on 23 April 2013. It concerns a health and safety...

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  • 1970
    imgS3 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    7.178 1970 HD

    Comedy about the life and times of William Shakespeare as he starts to make a name for himself in London, whilst also trying to balance life as a...

    img
  • 1970
    imgS1 E3

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    5.8 1970 HD

    Stark is a 1993 British-Australian television miniseries, based on the bestselling novel Stark by comedian Ben Elton. The three-episode series,...

    img
  • 1970
    imgS2 E6

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    1 1970 HD

    Comedy series written and performed by Ben Elton, primarily based around his stand-up comedy routines, with sketches and parodies.

    img
  • 1970
    imgS1 E3

    Happy Families

    Happy Families

    5 1970 HD

    Short-lived sketch show which is notable today for early appearances by Ben Elton, Dame Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie. Originally...

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