Picture from HUKD
When Eric Sykes died I commented that the sitcom Sykes is now a 'ghost sitcom' in that none of the cast are still alive, even Dad's Army have two people hanging in there wondering why they weren't offered a cameo in the new film remake. Today we lost Stephen Lewis, best known (a polite way of saying 'typecast') as Blakey from one of my favourite sitcoms On The Buses. It is only Anna Karen who played Olive that is now preventing On The Buses from becoming another ghost sitcom. I always find it strange when I watch something where everybody on screen is dead, Laurel & Hardy films are a good example because we all remember the two leads but everyone around them is also in the ground. It makes me wonder if they would have predicted that their popularity would continue almost one hundred years later.
I also wonder about the minor characters in such films or television programmes, for example the extras in a black and white episode of Coronation Street might all be dead with nobody to remember them.
Stephen Lewis made a rod for his own back when it came to typecasting as he never quite managed to shake off the association with his most famous role, and even his next big part as Harry the signalman in Oh, Doctor Beeching! was Blakey-like in mannerisms. His later appearances in Jim Davidson's Generation Game and The All New Alexei Sayle Show were simply Blakey in all but name. His achievements as a playwright, screenwriter and director have been sadly overlooked as the papers just refer to Blakey being dead. With co-star Bob Grant (Jack the conductor) he wrote several episodes of On The Buses and appeared again as Blakey in a forgettable spin off Don't Drink The Water, which saw his character retire to Spain. Having never seen it before despite being a big fan of On The Buses I watched the first episode on YouTube and can honestly say that when it comes to contrived nonsense I haven't seen anything so piss poor since the first episode of Still Open All Hours.
As a tribute I think it would be nice if all bus companies agreed to run on time, although living in Nottingham I doubt that would ever happen.
The Sunday Alternative #51 is available from here.
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August housekeeping
We are now in the eighth month of the year and at a standstill as far as work is concerned. In unrelated news, it is my birthday on the 27th of this month so a nice present would be a donation using the PayPal button. This would be spent on creating podcasts, documentaries, short films, comedy sketches and various other entertainments that I will make available to enjoy online for free.
The above t-shirt and bag is also available to buy, all the money goes to the same creative fund. They are on my shop page.
I'll play you a kazoo song request, find out how here.
Letter of complaint written for you for £2, here.
steveEoliver@gmail.com
