Jeremy Beadle 1948 - 2008

[matt2matt2002]

Sorry to see the Beadle has popped his clogs.

Game for a laugh, You've been framed and Beadle's about were his best shows.

Anyone any fond memories?

[Hayley]

Feeling rather bad after calling him something rude on another thread! Perfect timing as ever!

Although I didn't like his prank shows, Bill and I saw him in panto one year and he was very good. Lots of running about, and he had no qualms about slapstick.

Knowing her booze problems, we always thought of the original Game for a Laugh presenters Sarah Kennedy would go first!

Then again, perhaps it's a wind-up.

[andy250]

Wasn't that big a fan of his style of comedy, though I did not realize how much work he did for charity. It appeared he did a lot, he raised over million pounds, it stated on the news.

regards

Andy

[rentbook2u]

He was very much a love him or hate him kind of character and many people found his television programmes of playing pranks on the general public a trifle tiresome. I quite liked Jeremy, he certainly did lots of charity work and he was one of the few celebrities who came across well on the BBC programme of a few years back when a celebrity spent a few days with an ordinary family. I can't recall the programme title but Michael Winner was another one who came across very well, whereas Frank Bruno came across as a complete w*****.

Of course "Beadle's About" and "You've Been Framed" were hardly original television. "Candid Camera" started the whole hidden camera/prank show several years before Jeremy arrived as part of the "Game For A Laugh" team.

Looking at the sorry state of Saturday television these days with all the X Factor crap, celebrities doing ballroom dancing and the latest laughable attempt at entertainment featuring Tribute Acts - if they are the best in the country then how do they have time to appear on this programme? If they were that good then they'd be booked up in the Clubs for months to come. Anyway, looking at today's Saturday night television I'd take Jeremy Beadle over all of them.

RIP Jezza.

[matt2matt2002]

Just read in one of the obits. that up to 15 million folks tuned in to watch his progs.
Amazing figure.

Bit like Hayleys!!


(sound of car starting....)

[the bulber]

Wasn't that big a fan of his style of comedy, though I did not realize how much work he did for charity. It appeared he did a lot, he raised over million pounds, it stated on the news.

regards

Andy

Like Andy said I wasn't a big fan, more take it or leave myself, but I was taken aback with the amount of charity work he did.
Saw Henry Kelly talking about Beadle and charity work this morning.
He said, he never had the TV or radio there, just the local gazzette.
I take my hat off to anyone who puts the charity work before their ego.

[DungeonMasterOne]

Like Andy said I wasn't a big fan, more take it or leave myself, but I was taken aback with the amount of charity work he did.
Saw Henry Kelly talking about Beadle and charity work this morning.
He said, he never had the TV or radio there, just the local gazzette.
I take my hat off to anyone who puts the charity work before their ego.

Yep, seconded. Don't like prank shows myself, because I know how I'd react to being in those situations, but it takes a real celebrity of the old school to genuinely put charity work before their own publicity.

(*HUG*) for Hayley - don't feel too bad, TBH I think it just proves the universe has a sense of humour.

[Hayley]

Amazing figure.

Bit like Hayleys!!

Bigger than mine!

[BillShipton]

Whether one liked Beadle's TV character or not and regardless even of his charity work, one thing that moves me is the death of another stalwart from the great days of TV light entertainment.

Say what you like about Game for a Laugh but it regularly beat Noel's assorted Saturday night shows in the ratings and formed part of the great days of LWT Productions. Prior to GFAL, the BBC ruled Saturday nights from the Generation Game to Parkinson. Game for a Laugh started a whole series of shows that put ITV back on the Sat night map. It was also the sort of risky venture that just wouldn't happen now. Four relatively unknown presenters, items ranging from practical jokes to Sarah Kennedy taking on the Maldon Mud Race (and getting hosed down at the end) plus Matthew Kelly's curly perm and horrid sweaters and...err...Henry Kelly, who served very little purpose as I recall. They even pied a few famous people - though all men, I believe. Yet it was a massive success. It is highly unlikely we will see a show like that again.

I admit to a weakness for 70s and 80s light ent, and whilst I was not a huge Game for a Laugh fan at the,time, looking back Beadle & Co set a benchmark for cheeky, pranky comedy that Noel, Ant & Dec and other have followed for the last 20 years. And without phonelines!

Whether I will miss Jeremy Beadle personally is unlikely. That I miss the spirit of light entertainment to which he contributed greatly is a certainty.

[stonecastle]

I don't think he was that good. His type of show had been done before by Candid Camera.

[Spinynorman and Frilly]

It's very sad that he died so young. A genuinely genial chap who did an
awful lot of good work for charity. Seems that a lot of people who really
knew him had a lot of time for the bloke.