TV Times 65 VGC Roy Orbison/Bill/Jon Pertwee/Crossroads

In this edition of TV World the TV Times for the midlands, the front cover has Charlie Drake and on pages 40-41 he is the Top Star Talking with more pictures. For insight into this week’s episode go to page 21. He tells honestly why he is not the type to be around when he has a television project. In the mid to late sixties, he was on one of ITV’s very few memorable comedy series over its fifty years. In fact, ITV never seemed able to come up with comedy classics in the same way as the BBC. The Worker broke the mould. The writing was really clever. “I went down the garden to get some mint to put on my boiled egg” the unemployed Charlie once said to the long suffering employment office clerk.

Dr Who lovers will enjoy the short article on the Pertwees. Bill Pertwee was to appear on Night Spot. See page 21. Jon Pertwee was his cousin but other family members were well known. Also, go to page 26 to meet comedian Charlie Chester. He was in Stars and Garters but how many knew of his artistic talents?

Drake later went on to make a series of sketch shows, The Charlie Drake Show in colour for BBC2 where his brilliance was recognized in the form of the Golden Rose of Montreux. The most acclaimed sketch was of an orchestra in which Drake appeared to play all the instruments while conducting. Throughout there were shots of him as an avid triangle player, counting down to the big moment when he would strike the instrument, only to miss his cue. It was excellent visual humour for the European audience and demonstrated that his comic brilliance extended from brash to classic subtlety.