The Comic Strip Presents (1982)

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The impact of The Comic Strip's anarchic humor rattled 1980s television, introducing audiences to a new breed of comedic talent and launching the careers of such iconic British comedians as Robbie Coltrane, Jennifer Saunders, Rik Mayall and Dawn French. Each show was its own separate story, each more daring and unique than the last. Focused on social and political 'alternative' humor, The Comic Strip paved the way for a new generation of comedy with its hilarious parodies of all things pop-culture.

Original Release

11/02/1982 on Channel 4

Cast

Name

Character

Peter Richardson

Julian / Spider Webb / Rollo / Waiter / Shopkeeper / Victor / Tony Grace-Masters / Tony Benn / Tiny Townsend / Steve / Squealer / Rupert Wilson / Radio DJ / Cocker / Wally / Miguel / Brown / Field Marshall / Drunk / Terrorist / Phil / Peter / Pete / Nick / Mr. Lovebucket / Mr. Chipstick / Milk Policeman / Kevin / Keith / Julio / Jed / James Blonde / Ghengis Khan / George Bush / Gary / Foyle / Jason Bentley / Defence Minister / Dave / Couple at Cricket Match / Coroner / Madman's Brother / Clive / Alan / Al Pacino

Adrian Edmondson

Billy / Dick / Vim Fuego / Sid Vicious / Peter / Mike / Hatchett / Julio / Bolsen / Man in Cage / Jenkins / Zarkoff / Michael / Martin / 'K' / Air Traffic Controller / John / John Major - Coco the Clown / Ian / Ian Crisp / Gregory Dawson / Gordon / Bill / Eddie Monsoon / Dreamy Time Escort / Desmond / Brian / Prince / Giles Cricket Bat Portland / Bestman / Bean / Adrian / Slim / Policeman / Ace / 2nd MI5 Man / Fan

Jennifer Saunders

Anne / Cathy / Margaret Thatcher / Sally / The Devil / Shona / Second Nun / Horse Rider / Neighbour / Needle / Monica / Meryl Streep / Maria / Lorna / Liz / Little Sister / June / Jessica / Jane / Margory / Ice Maiden / Helen / Hannah / Doreen / Debbie / Chas / Marilyn / Captain / Drunk / Angie

Nigel Planer

Stan / Den Dennis / TV Presenter / Transvestite / Tony / Tommy / Doc / Ivan / McClowsky / Australian / Tim / Tim Goodman / Steve's Manager / 1st MI5 Man / Peter Mandelson / Paul / Nigel / Marlon / Julian / Home Secretary / Graham / Governor Wilkins / Father / Derek / Dave / Club Chairman / Waiter / Charles / Bernard / Old Man / Camp Actor 1 / Barmaid / Inspector / Aldo Vini

Dawn French

George / Veronica / Verity / Old Lady / Celebrity / Ursula / Tracy / Susie / Stella / Rachel / Passion / Nayler / Mrs. Cooper / Monica / Joan / Jackie / First Nun / Hermine / Glynis Kinnock / Gaynor / Francesca / Frances / Mrs. Shines / Fiona / Eleanor / Consuela / Caroline

Robbie Coltrane

Max / Commander Jackson / Chief of Police / Barrister / Arnold Silverstein / Zorran / 'N' / Speaker / Salesman / Screwball / Mario / Harry Kiri / Markoff / Mother / Landlady / Gypsy / Kurt / Ken / Inspector Hutton / Shopkeeper / Goldie / Dutch / Celebrity / Gerald / Desmond

Rik Mayall

Colin Grigson / Toadstool / Tim / Tark / Speaker / Hunchback / Slug / General Erwin / Hovis / Richard / Prof. Predictor / Mr. McVitty / Lord Mayor / Jeremy / James Huntingdon / Dreamy Time Escort / Carlos / Bilbo / Ali Kitson / Alan / Alan Sellars

Keith Allen

Roy Brush / Patrick / Mr. Bastardos / Train Guard / Mason / Gondolier / Martin Aimless / Kevin / Green Leader / Gino / Ghenghis / Gay Councillor / 1st Beefeater / French Maid / Foreign Secretary / Film Executive / Camp Actor 2 / Architect / Celebrity / Brian Epstein / Bonehead / Gourmet Detective

Steven O'Donnell

Under Manager / Rollon / Max / Gerry / 2nd Man / Picketer / Geordie / Donny Rumsfeld / Danny / Crazy James Fairchild / Roy / Celestina / Brian / Bertoli

Kevin Allen

Workman / Film Crew Member / TV Interviewer / Waiter / Hotel Manager / 3rd Man / Cinemagoer / Raymond / Party Guest / Nick / London Transport Man / 2nd Soldier / 3rd Workman / Man in Pub / Les Dogs Leader / Kevin / Keith / Hopeful / Frenchman / Chuck

(see additional cast & crew)

#	Title	Air Date
1	The Hunt for Tony Blair	Friday, 14 October 2011
2	Five Go to Rehab	Wednesday, 07 November 2012
3	Redtop	Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Directors

Peter Richardson, Bob Spiers, Sandy Johnson, Stephen Frears, Keith Allen, Adrian Edmondson, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Emes, Paul Bartel, Baz Taylor

Writers

Peter Richardson, Pete Richens, Adrian Edmondson, Keith Allen, Rik Mayall, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Morag Fullarton, Enid Blyton, Rowland Rivron, David Stafford, Doug Lucie, Alexei Sayle, Robbie Coltrane, Paul Bartel, Nigel Planer, Barry Dennen, Pauline Melville, Daniel Peacock

Cast

Name

Character

Under Manager / Rollon / Max / Gerry / 2nd Man / Picketer / Geordie / Donny Rumsfeld / Danny / Crazy James Fairchild / Roy / Celestina / Brian / Bertoli

Kevin Allen

Jimmy Fagg

Soldier / 2nd Workman / Self / Newsvendor / Nappy Lorry Driver / Lift Man / Ken / Groom's Uncle / East End Drinker / Landlord / Don

Daniel Peacock

Toby Thurlow / Workman 1 / Postman / Kix / Godfrey / Bridegroom / Barman / Ticket Collector

Gary Beadle

Gary / Wazza / Waiter / Sly / Ronnie / Handsome Man / Butler / Pianist / Bill

Phil Cornwell

Turkey / Roy / Rooky / Professor / Jerry the Driver / MP with Dog / Jimmy Twizzle / Wiggy / Dave Spanker / Charlie

Alexei Sayle

Paul / Mog / Inspector / Dad / Carl Moss / Sterling Moss / Bride's Father

Serena Evans