| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
the breakfast club
Joined: 19 Sep 2010
Posts: 52
Location: Liverpool
|
 Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: seargent bilko |
 |
|
my favourite television of all time has to be seargent bilko
to me phil silvers was the greatest its 25 years on monday since we lost him any other fans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I love Bilko too. I still don't think it's been topped - certainly not by American comedy sitcoms anyhow. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Soulsister
Joined: 14 Sep 2010
Posts: 242
Location: Good Old Sussex by the Sea
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I absolutely adore Bilko. I agree with Col, as American sitcoms go, it's one, if not the best.
Also loved F Troop and Hogan's Heroes.
The Americans love our sitcoms. If you go on Amazon.com they rave about everything from Allo Allo to Faulty Towers, Only Fools and Horses to Ab Fab and many more in between. They tend to diss their own but rave about ours, but I have to say I think the Americans have sent back their fair share of good ones as well, and Bilko was a gem.
I'm a huge fan of Everybody Loves Raymond. Despite several series it never lost it's quality imho.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V64YQAQslpw&feature=related |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
aviddiva
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 1135
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 1:09 pm Post subject: Sgt. Bilko |
|
|
I liked Everybody Loves Raymond, as did my sister and niece. I can relate to the rivalry between Robbie and Ray!
When 'Young Frankenstein' was last on TV, my sister recorded it to show to my niece so she could see Peter Boyle (Frank Barone in the series) in the role of the Creature.
I heard the movie was going to be adapted into a musical, and it would be right if Brad Garrett (Robbie) portrayed the Creature, because in the series they always joke about the outsize nature of his feet!
_________________
We are loonies and we are proud!
- Campbell Bain in 'Takin' Over The Asylum' |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think Bilko remains one of the most clever, entertaining and funniest television shows ever and the series forms part of my very earliest TV memories along with Route 66 and 77 Sunset Strip... all in black and white of course.
I'm not one for reading about my "heroes" in real life as I don't like to be disappointed but I'm sure the cast must have enjoyed working with Phil Silvers.
I've noticed many occasions when Henshaw and Barbella were genuinely laughing as Bilko reeled off his lines.. and what a great character Colonel Hall is.. ( so much like my father in law to look at too!  )
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio!  13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Colin... I'm gonna get it! 
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SantaFefan wrote: | | Thanks Colin... I'm gonna get it! |
I'm in the process of dropping hints.
I might arrange for two sets to be ordered - my 83-year-old Dad loves Bilko too.
I love the episode in which Bilko and the car pool lads are training a race horse, and Colonel Hall is awoken in the night by the sound of a horse galloping past his window. Everyone works hard to convince him that he's going mad - even his long-suffering wife!
Fabulous. I have several Bilkos on VHS tape (well, about 12 of them) which I'd intended to transfer to DVD but I don't need to bother now! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6791
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| SantaFefan wrote: | I think Bilko remains one of the most clever, entertaining and funniest television shows ever and the series forms part of my very earliest TV memories along with Route 66 and 77 Sunset Strip... all in black and white of course.
I'm not one for reading about my "heroes" in real life as I don't like to be disappointed but I'm sure the cast must have enjoyed working with Phil Silvers.
I've noticed many occasions when Henshaw and Barbella were genuinely laughing as Bilko reeled off his lines.. and what a great character Colonel Hall is.. ( so much like my father in law to look at too! ) |
I am trying to resist the temptation to look on Wiki about him now ... It's horrible when you really like someone then learn he/she is not all, or anywhere near, what you thought they might be.....Peter Sellers being a case in point for me...  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes Becky.. and the Marx Brothers, Bing Crosby and Jimi Hendrix for me... 
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RockitRon
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I feel a little like the boy at the emperor's parade - I could never see what was all that funny in Bilko. American comedy, subtle as a brick.
_________________
Ron |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| SantaFefan wrote: | | I think Bilko remains one of the most clever, entertaining and funniest television shows ever and the series forms part of my very earliest TV memories along with Route 66 and 77 Sunset Strip... all in black and white of course. |
Blimey, you're making me feel old!!! 
I only caught up with Bilko in the late 60s as my Dad watched it so I never really knew the other two - largely because they were shown on ITV and we only had the Beeb in the westcountry until 1961 when Westward TV started up.
| SantaFefan wrote: | | I've noticed many occasions when Henshaw and Barbella were genuinely laughing as Bilko reeled off his lines.. and what a great character Colonel Hall is.. ( so much like my father in law to look at too! ) |
That's largely because each episode was filmed "as live" in a New York studio in front of an audience seated on benches almost as if it were being performed in a medium-size theatre. They only broke recording for the TV commercial slots. Unusually, three film cameras all rolled at the same time with not even a break as one ran out of film. Amazing really.
The apparent sponteneity in the show stems from the fact that all the actors were experienced stage actors whose sense of timing was perfect - but there are lots of documented occurrences of lines being fluffed and adlibs being inserted - and often that's what caused a laugh among the other actors. Phil Silvers was worst for that - but being such an experienced stage actor he was best equipped to ride through them.
What I love about Bilko is not only the fabulous characterisations and ensemble cast but the team writing, led by Nat Hiken. Writing is very clever and the resulting performance timing can't be understated.
BTW Another useless fact: during a roll-call of the Motor Pool staff by Bilko in one episode, Silvers inserts "Hiken" into the names called. There's a surprised laugh among the cast (and a cheeky grin by Silvers) but this never explained in the production. You have to wait for the credits to see Nat Hiken's name credited as writer!!! (I can't remember which episode this is, but I'll check it out).
For me, Bilko is up there with the best of its British counterparts like Dad's Army, for sure.
Can't wait to get my hands on the DVD set!!!!! (My wife isn't going to be impressed with me, though). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
