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Lenny The Lion

 
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RockitRon



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:54 am    Post subject: Lenny The Lion Reply with quote

I know he was 50s/60s television rather than radio, but I'm sure some of us will remember Terry Hall and Lenny The Lion, in some ways a precursor to our beloved Jonathon Ross, because he couldn't pwonounce his aars either. Ventriloquist Hall has just died after a long illness and there's a nice obituary of him in today's Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/news/2007/04/12/db1202.xml

I seem to remember Lenny used to sing at least once on each show, and I suspect someone somewhere will have an LP. I've never seen one, but there is a track on EMI's Merry Christmas Children Everywhere collection - All I Want For Christmas Is A Hippopotamus - it's priceless!

Good to know Lenny will continue to be looked after by his widow.
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Behind Geddon's Wall



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A gentler time when funny was funny and jokes were aimed inward rather than at sections of the community.

Greatly missed by those of us that are of an age to remember a good entertainer.
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Ian Robinson
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I remember him well from the 70s, he was great. My mum loved him.
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Mark Mayhew



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't remember Lenny the Lion but I do remember Bernie the Bolt.

Is that his brother.
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Minx



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to like Basil Brush. (Boom Boom) Laughing
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Gus Honeybun



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personally, I think the children's character on Westward TV / TSW was much better............

............. even if he did have to suffer that lady's hand up his, er,...... to make his ears waggle and his eyelids wink!

Gus
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Basil Brush was the boss.... Laughing

Anyone remember Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop? Great stuff Cool
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SantaFefan



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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do, american lady - big eyelashes. Very Happy I preferred Muffin the Mule.......

I remember Lenny the Lion but I liked the posh drunk, was it Lord Charles??



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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SantaFefan wrote:
I do, american lady - big eyelashes. Very Happy I preferred Muffin the Mule.......

I remember Lenny the Lion but I liked the posh drunk, was it Lord Charles??



Sal'right? sal'right!


Muffin the Mule is a criminal offence isn't it Laughing Boom Boom!

Ah, Lord Charles, "Silly arse!" Laughing

Ray Allen was the 'vent' wasn't he?
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seymourwhitebits



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PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It always spoilt it for me that Terry used to hide his mouth behind Lennys head a lot. but saying that, who was that guy ( he used to be on in the late 70's / Early '80's and definately on with Des O'Connor ) who sat blatantly moving his lips but he had the most hilarious "society" lady who would be perched on the back of the sofa with "muppet" arm levers who wore her hair up and would always end up tugging it all down to seduce the interviewer?

-Seymour was always partial to a bit of Nookie as well-
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

seymourwhitebits wrote:

-Seymour was always partial to a bit of Nookie as well-

You mean Nookie the bear?! Shocked
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seymourwhitebits



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PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

you've been watching animal farm again haven't you Shocked

this guys well worth a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnNBgIKOvr4

the godzilla skit is superb Cool Cool
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

seymourwhitebits wrote:
you've been watching animal farm again haven't you Shocked

this guys well worth a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnNBgIKOvr4

the godzilla skit is superb Cool Cool


That guy is gifted.... in the good sense Laughing
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seymourwhitebits



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PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah he's not bad is he Cool

just wish I knew the name of the bloke with the dowager puppet cos it's really bugging me now Mad
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

seymourwhitebits wrote:
yeah he's not bad is he Cool

just wish I knew the name of the bloke with the dowager puppet cos it's really bugging me now Mad


Honestly can't think who you mean.... Sure it's not a memory induced by "herbal" means in your youth? Laughing
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mcl



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PJ in Kent wrote:
Anyone remember Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop? Great stuff Cool


I obtained a couple of tapes of her 1970s work recently, and by gum she was talented! The cross-talk between Shari and Lamp Chop is technically brilliant - and unlike many vents, Shari was equally entertaining without the puppets. A very underrated talent, I think.
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mcl wrote:
PJ in Kent wrote:
Anyone remember Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop? Great stuff Cool


I obtained a couple of tapes of her 1970s work recently, and by gum she was talented! The cross-talk between Shari and Lamp Chop is technically brilliant - and unlike many vents, Shari was equally entertaining without the puppets. A very underrated talent, I think.


Thanks MCL,

Even when I was a kid I used to think she was under-rated. Could never understand why she wasn't on TV more. Glad I'm not alone Embarassed
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mcl



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PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe Ronni Ancona (of Alistair MacGowan's Big Impression fame) rates her very highly as well, so it's not just us!

Since Shari's death, her daughter's taken over Lamb Chop - she's got the voice right, apparently, but I'm told there's a bit of hiding behind the puppet's head on tricky words!
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Laughing Tricky words!

Those tapes you got of Shari- were they audio or video?
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seymourwhitebits



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PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2007 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PJ in Kent wrote:
seymourwhitebits wrote:
yeah he's not bad is he Cool

just wish I knew the name of the bloke with the dowager puppet cos it's really bugging me now Mad


Honestly can't think who you mean.... Sure it's not a memory induced by "herbal" means in your youth? Laughing


only if vic's vapour rub counts!! Laughing

well it made my chest red if nothing else Twisted Evil
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The herbs I was thinking of require a packet of rizla's and a lighter Laughing

Groovy, man Very Happy
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seymourwhitebits



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PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i was thinking of parsley the lion when you said the herbs Laughing
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2007 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now there was a show! Laughing
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mcl



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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2007 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PJ in Kent wrote:
Those tapes you got of Shari- were they audio or video?


Video. That's just reminded me of Peter Brough, the radio ventriloquist of 'Educating Archie' fame, actually....... Very Happy
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2007 3:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mcl wrote:
PJ in Kent wrote:
Those tapes you got of Shari- were they audio or video?


Video. That's just reminded me of Peter Brough, the radio ventriloquist of 'Educating Archie' fame, actually....... Very Happy


Possibly the greatest oxymoron of the modern age...."Radio Ventriloquist" Laughing
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seymourwhitebits



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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2007 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PJ in Kent wrote:
mcl wrote:
PJ in Kent wrote:
Those tapes you got of Shari- were they audio or video?


Video. That's just reminded me of Peter Brough, the radio ventriloquist of 'Educating Archie' fame, actually....... Very Happy


Possibly the greatest oxymoron of the modern age...."Radio Ventriloquist" Laughing


That must have been great to listen to...with your nan in the corner saying "he's good isn't he?" Laughing Laughing

"and now it's time for our special guest......Jerry the Juggler" Rolling Eyes

ah! the halcyon days of radio past Laughing Laughing Laughing
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2007 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

seymourwhitebits wrote:
PJ in Kent wrote:
mcl wrote:
PJ in Kent wrote:
Those tapes you got of Shari- were they audio or video?


Video. That's just reminded me of Peter Brough, the radio ventriloquist of 'Educating Archie' fame, actually....... Very Happy


Possibly the greatest oxymoron of the modern age...."Radio Ventriloquist" Laughing


That must have been great to listen to...with your nan in the corner saying "he's good isn't he?" Laughing Laughing

"and now it's time for our special guest......Jerry the Juggler" Rolling Eyes

ah! the halcyon days of radio past Laughing Laughing Laughing


And every act dressed in a dinner jacket and dickie bow Laughing
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H



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PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I remember Terry Hall and Lenny the Lion as well.I watched them for years on TV but the last time I ever saw them on stage was way back in 1980, at the old Opera House in Scarborough-now sadly demolished-when they were playing a summer season-remember them?-with The Grumbleweeds.

All this talk of ventriloquists brings me also to the fact that I recently saw Ray Alan and Lord Charles in a "Good Old Days" production at the City Varieties in Leeds and what a superb act it was.In my view, Ray Alan is, as one vociferous gentleman sitting to the side of me kept calling out, a genius!

The whole show was a complete throwback to the days when, as another poster has put it elsewhere on this thread, "funny was funny".But if it was a throwback then perhaps it was also a nod to the future as well, because if loud applause from a live audience for a show which had clearly gone extremely well in all departments is any indication of what the public likes, then this sort of entertainment-not necessarily The Good Old Days itself although that would not be unwelcome at least by me, but VARIETY-should be back on television and in its own prime time slots, not just in some sort of History of Light Entertainment type series.

In that show funny was funny and nowhere more so than in James Casey and Eli Woods closing the first half of the show with one of their classic sketches "It's In The Box" aided and abetted by Ray Alan who fulfilled the role that the late great Roy Castle used to fill with the same act in the 1970s.I know, because I was told by someone who went to the afternoon show, that some of their apparently spontaneous-and in any case damn funny-ad libs were not as spontaneous as I might have thought, but that just made me think of Morecambe and Wise and the documentary I once saw about Eddie Braben their writer which revealed that nearly every apparently spontaneous throwaway word that came from either of those two was carefully scripted.It's all in the delivery, and James Caset and Eli Woods delivered perfectly and earned rapturous applause for doing so.

One other thing.The show was complemented by a group of boy and girl singers/dancers from a local stage school-quite near to me infact-who filled the role that used to be taken by members of the Players Theatre on the TV version of the Good Old Days.

These fine young people-two boys and three or four girls-did a couple of spots of their own, and during the second half when they were not required on stage, they occupied one of the boxes by the front of the stage above the chairman's podium.

These youngsters were no more than about 16 or 17 years old.Ray Alan and Lord Charles have not appeared on TV in a new show since about 1984 and yet, although they had obviously seen the show before, because it had played the evening and afternoon prior to when I saw it, one look at those youngsters made it perfectly clear that they were enjoying the great comedy of Ray Alan and Lord Charles every bit as much as everyone else there.

If I had been a television executive sitting in that audience I would have gone home thinking long and hard about that.


John H
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The problem John, is that we (meaning all us normal people) love variety type acts- the fact that most of them are still working the clubs and theatres is proof of this.

However in TV-Land, variety is a dirty word- it's not "hip", "trendy", "in" or "cool"

TV is now run by media-studies graduates who have not the faintest idea of what entertainment is- following the holy watch-words, "fresh" and "ground-breaking" to the letter in the hunt for acts. Sadly, neither of these phrases take into account what the punters consider to be entertaining and funny.

Hence, bums on seats at shows like the one you went to, and less and less people watching the insufferable bilge on television.
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H



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PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 10:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be fair, I am not condemning television completely.There is a lot on that I do watch and enjoy, and nearly 70 box sets of DVDs of TV programmes of varying vintages and hundreds of videos are testament to that.

But I do mourn the lack of variety shows on TV.You're right PJ in Kent it is a dirty word and it should not be.

In my ideal world, there would be far less reality programming, far fewer cheap phone in game shows, and a great deal more quality drama, comedy and variety.

But that seems to be my fantasy world at the moment.

John H
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2007 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also, refering to John's post above-

The phone-in shows and grotty reality shows are very cheap to organise and run, whilst at the same time time making huge profits for the production and screening companies involved... No wonder these types of show are never off the telly.

They also get huge viewing figures because the average brain-dead (so it appears nowadays) Brit doesn't need to employ any sort of intellect to enjoy watching some no-mark wannabe flirt and/or fight with other wannabe's, while dialling a premium rate phone number to vote for their "favourite"

I despair Crying or Very sad
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Cherskiy



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PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2007 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, PJ, it's just a matter of time before Chav TV comes to a Freeview box near you, its schedules filled with non-stop "nuts and sluts" programmes like Jeremy Kyle and Trisha.... Rolling Eyes
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PJ in Kent



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PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2007 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I fear you may well be right, Cher.

Chav TV, Burberry FM and The Hoodie Roadshow..... Shoot me now, I can't take the dumbing down anymore Crying or Very sad
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Behind Geddon's Wall



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PostPosted: Thu May 17, 2007 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's already here - it's call daytime commercial telly. ITV, Channel 4 and 5. The digital channels succombed a long time ago.
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H



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PostPosted: Thu May 17, 2007 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In reply to PJinKent, according to a report I have read on Teletext this morning, ITV's profits are down sharply on phone in quizzes by some twenty per cent, in the wake of the recent scandals.


Personally, I would want to see these programmes off the air completely, and I want to see talented presenters like Nigel Mitchell, Debbie King and Tim Dixon working on other shows.

John H
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