I actually saw this live back in 1963. I loved it then, and still do. TWTWTW was revolutionary at the time. Whereas BBC used to close down at certain fixed times every night, TWTWTW actually ran its own schedule and often ran over, broadcasting into the early hours of Sunday morning. We all waited up to see what would happen next. Frankie Howerd was a total surprise and a delightful comedian. Well worth waiting up for!
TW3 had to be careful though, as in 1963 broadcasting hours were limited by the government to 7.5 hours on a Saturday. Thankfully the afternoon of sport was exempt from the restrictions, and so if the BBC started their evening schedule at 5pm, they could run through to 12.30am if they wished, using the full 7.5 hours. That helped.
He broke every rule in the book with his stuttering and repeating himself and so on and yet he was one of the funniest comedians we've ever had. Unique.
This is important footage. It was one of the few times he delved into political satire. He was not comfortable. He went on to do what he did best...observing us in our day to day lives. What a great comedian.
The greatest British standup of all time. The first. A career of five decades. Three comebacks. Darling of the university students. RIP Sir Frances of Howerd.
6:43 - Oh the hidden meaning of that little sentence from Frankie here I just loved. Everyone knew what he meant, but they dared not to admit it in 1963 England.
Why can't the BBC give us a LIVE Saturday late night satirical show now in 2019 instead of constant repeats of Mrs Brown's Bloody Boys? After Match of the Day, put out a new version LIVE from Television Centre, open ended. Channel 4 have the fantastic Last Leg on Fridays, what does the BBC have?
that funny story he told' BBC askd him to go to Borneo to entertain the troops. he quickly accepted . He said later the way those uppercrust BBC exec talk he thought they said 'Bournemouth' ! i laughed so hard.....There is a video of him in the early days entertaining british troops in the east. A soldier asked him' would you consider going for a sex change.. ? He answered ' Wht? from this? POINTING TO HIMSELF...then followed ' anything would be an improvement!' so funny.
All I can say is just look and learn some of our so called stand up comics today. They are not, in my opinion fit to clean his shoes, but they all thunk they are now so wonderful. Anyway, I’m and older generation and perhaps my thinking is clouded in ageism, but that’s my opinion.
i never thought of it ...about what he said of tax cuts for people with children . he said it penalises those who wish to keep themselves to themselves. . Those single or gay men .. But has the law changed now for gay married men to consider their other partner as their 'wives' and a tax deduction too? (In Britain) Gay marriages in my country is still not recognised or legal. Frankie howerd is very intelligent
Declares himself old fashioned and then delivers "people who like to keep themselves to themselves" a brass balls euphemism 4 years before homosexuality was even legal in this country. But then maybe you'd expect nothing less from Peter Cook's favourite comic. (Catch his 1990 gig at Oxford University elsewhere on RUclips for another masterclass).
I never liked him before - but this is very very funny! He has almost no clearly funny material - can you imagine someone writing this script? But Howerd's performance is just wonderful! Thanks!
Maybe the "Oxbridge" comedians at the BBC? David Frost went to Cambridge University and for years BBC comedy was dominated by those who went there or to Oxford University.
He saw the future of comedy SIXTY years ago. In TV execs eyes, Oxbridge comedians are knowing & IroniC, while working class comics are ignorant & prejudice,
if one doesnt know hes gay , youd never guess ..as compared to comedians like kenneth williams , charles hawtrey or john inman. He wasnt so camp or feminine in his mannerisms as the othes. but I love them all !
Oh please, the way he uses his hands and arms, touching his chin like that...extremely mannered. Not as camp as some, but a dead giveaway. Particularly from 1:30-1:40.
I actually saw this live back in 1963. I loved it then, and still do. TWTWTW was revolutionary at the time. Whereas BBC used to close down at certain fixed times every night, TWTWTW actually ran its own schedule and often ran over, broadcasting into the early hours of Sunday morning. We all waited up to see what would happen next. Frankie Howerd was a total surprise and a delightful comedian. Well worth waiting up for!
TW3 had to be careful though, as in 1963 broadcasting hours were limited by the government to 7.5 hours on a Saturday. Thankfully the afternoon of sport was exempt from the restrictions, and so if the BBC started their evening schedule at 5pm, they could run through to 12.30am if they wished, using the full 7.5 hours. That helped.
He broke every rule in the book with his stuttering and repeating himself and so on and yet he was one of the funniest comedians we've ever had. Unique.
yeah one of the best. i keep coming back to his comedy again and again....hope theres more
But lots of people do talk like that.
Just like talking to a gossipy neighbour
Agree all the way.
Yep!
This is important footage. It was one of the few times he delved into political satire. He was not comfortable. He went on to do what he did best...observing us in our day to day lives. What a great comedian.
"No...please, listen!" He knew it would get more laughs that way. It wouldn't work today but he was very much of his time.
Yes brilliant top notch writing, but just perfect delivery ...and that timing!...best ever for me of the stand up stable
The greatest British standup of all time. The first. A career of five decades. Three comebacks. Darling of the university students. RIP Sir Frances of Howerd.
This was Frankie's big comeback after 5 years in the wilderness
6:43 - Oh the hidden meaning of that little sentence from Frankie here I just loved. Everyone knew what he meant, but they dared not to admit it in 1963 England.
Oh yes!
Frankie Howerd was brilliant . This performance revived his career. Thanks to Peter Cook who booked him for the Establishment Club.
Many thanks for sharing...i searched for this clip for ages but could only find snippets of it...excellent... satire at its best
Just shear and utter brilliance. Frank was one of a kind.
A great ironist and skilled orator - and darn funny to boot !
I have loved Frankie for nearly 60 years, he is the funniest of the funny. Genius. 💗
Brilliantly insightful economic and political analysis. BBC's Newsnight is the poorer for his being unavailable.
yes! i esp like that part where he said' i dont blame him ...I BLAME HER! that punchline....precious
he had to be one of the funniest men in the world !!
Why can't the BBC give us a LIVE Saturday late night satirical show now in 2019 instead of constant repeats of Mrs Brown's Bloody Boys? After Match of the Day, put out a new version LIVE from Television Centre, open ended. Channel 4 have the fantastic Last Leg on Fridays, what does the BBC have?
he was stuttering at first , but once he got started and the applause got louder and the laughs, he got better .:)
a master class
that funny story he told' BBC askd him to go to Borneo to entertain the troops. he quickly accepted . He said later the way those uppercrust BBC exec talk he thought they said 'Bournemouth' ! i laughed so hard.....There is a video of him in the early days entertaining british troops in the east. A soldier asked him' would you consider going for a sex change.. ? He answered ' Wht? from this? POINTING TO HIMSELF...then followed ' anything would be an improvement!' so funny.
Frankie’s timing is right on. Always liked him, was only 7 when up Pompeii started, even then I never stopped laughing. Comedy genius.
'he did a good job of cooking up the books and I believed him! Ahahaha I laughed out loud when he said that. Funny guy, I miss the old generation.
Legend, one off and unique.
Frankie Howerd at his best
He was a Great Man
I remember Frankie as the Judge in " Trial by Jury " . He was excellent.
Only 5 when this aired, but absolutely loved him in Up Pompeii
never get tired of that joke. 'I dont blame him,,, I blame her !''.
One of the funniest men ever.
All I can say is just look and learn some of our so called stand up comics today. They are not, in my opinion fit to clean his shoes, but they all thunk they are now so wonderful. Anyway, I’m and older generation and perhaps my thinking is clouded in ageism, but that’s my opinion.
i never thought of it ...about what he said of tax cuts for people with children . he said it penalises those who wish to keep themselves to themselves. . Those single or gay men .. But has the law changed now for gay married men to consider their other partner as their 'wives' and a tax deduction too? (In Britain) Gay marriages in my country is still not recognised or legal. Frankie howerd is very intelligent
We have known the days.
Nothing changes; just the names of those "in charge".
what would he be doing, in a hairdresser! he had been balding for over a decade! a fantastic comic, an all time best.
One hell of an ad-libbed set.
Mark Andresen Frankie Howerd never ad-libbed. This is all scripted.
His great gift was to make it feel ad-libbed and spontaneous.
Eric Sykes probably wrote this.
Declares himself old fashioned and then delivers "people who like to keep themselves to themselves" a brass balls euphemism 4 years before homosexuality was even legal in this country. But then maybe you'd expect nothing less from Peter Cook's favourite comic. (Catch his 1990 gig at Oxford University elsewhere on RUclips for another masterclass).
I never liked him before - but this is very very funny! He has almost no clearly funny material - can you imagine someone writing this script? But Howerd's performance is just wonderful! Thanks!
He was very intelligent.
''these days you cant be filthy unless you have a degree'' ---who was he referring to?
Profumo affair, Kim Philby
Maybe the "Oxbridge" comedians at the BBC? David Frost went to Cambridge University and for years BBC comedy was dominated by those who went there or to Oxford University.
@@curly1966 i see. thanks!
He saw the future of comedy SIXTY years ago. In TV execs eyes, Oxbridge comedians are knowing & IroniC, while working class comics are ignorant & prejudice,
if one doesnt know hes gay , youd never guess ..as compared to comedians like kenneth williams , charles hawtrey or john inman. He wasnt so camp or feminine in his mannerisms as the othes. but I love them all !
Oh please, the way he uses his hands and arms, touching his chin like that...extremely mannered. Not as camp as some, but a dead giveaway. Particularly from 1:30-1:40.
Ooh earr nooo missus
Why does this guy remind me of Ricky Gervais.Seems like Gervais copied him.