Basil Brush
| Basil Brush | |
|---|---|
|
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| First appearance | 1963 |
| Created by | Peter Firmin |
| Portrayed by | Ivan Owen |
| Information | |
| Species | Fox |
| Gender | Male |
Basil Brush is a fictional anthropomorphic fox, best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts and comic strips. The character has featured on children's (and later adult) television from the 1960s to the present day.
A mischievous character and a raconteur, Basil Brush is best known for his catchphrase "Ha Ha Ha, Boom! Boom!", used after something he finds funny, and also for speaking in a "posh" accent and manner, referring to himself as a "fella". The character claims to dislike puppets, and says his most prized possession is his "brush", this being the traditional name for a fox's tail.
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[edit] Career
Basil Brush was originally created in 1963 by Peter Firmin for The Three Scampies children's show, but his main popularity was achieved due to appearances on The Nixon Line with magician David Nixon and subsequently The Basil Brush Show, which premiered in 1968 on BBC television. Basil was for many years operated and voiced by the publicity-shy actor Ivan Owen, who died in 2000 after a battle with cancer
Throughout the 12-year run of the show, Basil was always accompanied by an actor, initially Rodney Bewes — aka Mr Rodney — better known as one half of The Likely Lads. Bewes was replaced by Mr Derek — Derek Fowlds, later to appear in Yes Minister and Heartbeat — who was the stooge for Basil's quips between 1969 and 1973. The subsequent presenters were Mr Roy (Roy North, 1973–1977), Mr Howard (Howard Williams, 1977–1979), and Mr Billy (Billy Boyle, 1979–1980). All of the scripts during this period, (until 1979), including songs and the infamous weekly stories, were written by George Martin, who was also known as The Casual Comedian. After the TV series ended, Howard Williams returned to tour with Basil in his stage act.
Basil was in three more shows in the 1980s: the educational programme Let's Read... With Basil Brush (ITV, 1982–1983), Crackerjack (BBC), and Basil's Joke Machine (ITV, 1986).[1]
Basil recorded two albums (both with the same title), Boom! Boom! It's Basil Brush in 1970 and 1977. His adventures also appeared on the pages of TV Comic for some time.
Australian producer and director Baz Luhrmann was given the nickname 'Baz' because of a wild, bushy hairstyle which resembled Basil Brush's tail. He later legally had his first name changed from just Mark to BazMark.[citation needed]
In April 2009, Basil was awarded an ACE Award (Admirable Contribution to Entertainment) in recognition of over 40 years services to entertainment [2]
He appeared on the British comedy TV show, Celebrity Juice as a guest on the 'Newerer Magazine Head' round on the Christmas special of Season 6.
[edit] The Basil Brush Show from 2002-2007
In 2002, Basil made a comeback in a new children's BBC sitcom, again named The Basil Brush Show, in which his new comic foil, Stephen, is played by Christopher Pizzey. It is produced by The Foundation, part of the RDF Media Group. Child actors Georgina Leonidas and Michael Hayes also appear on the show. Basil Brush is now shown to have a family, which includes his destructive, hyperactive but cute nephew Bingo, and his criminal cousin Mortimer. Other friends have been introduced as well, such as the moneymaking child Dave and the more sensible Molly as well as Madison, a hippy who lives upstairs, Irish sidekick Liam (played by Michael Byers), and Anil, a crazy café owner and rubbish cook.
Several celebrities have made cameo appearances on the show. These include Eamonn Holmes, Ainsley Harriot and Myles Broom .[3] Where the original shows were recorded before a studio audience of children, the new programme remains studio based, but features a post-production laughter track.
Interspersed with the main programme, there are now various animated shorts in which Basil and/or another character is seen making jokes. The more recent puppet looks different from the original 1960s/ 1970s puppet in a number of aspects, but the 'well-spoken' voice of Basil is similar to the original Ivan Owen version. Basil Brush Often breaks the Fourth Wall by having shots of the set and making references on how long the show is,and abusing the obvious way of walking across to other scenes.
[edit] Other appearances
"Stick It Out"
Basil appeared on the 1993 Comic Relief song, "Stick It Out" alongside Right Said Fred and other celebrity friends.
Fantasy Football League
That same year, Basil appeared on BBC comedy series Fantasy Football League with Frank Skinner and David Baddiel - his first television appearance in over a decade. Inevitably, Basil's fantasy football team for the series included Norwich City midfielder Ruel Fox.
Blue Peter
Basil briefly appeared as a presenter for several Friday episodes of the popular British children's TV programme Blue Peter in 2003, in which he had his own joke segment. On 16 November 2010 Basil made a further guest appearance for one episode.
French and Saunders
Basil played Dobby the house elf in the French & Saunders sketch "Harry Potter And The Secret Chamberpot Of Azerbaijan" for Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2003.
The Weakest Link
On 10 December 2005, Basil appeared on The Weakest Link and won the show, receiving £10,900 for his chosen charity, the Blue Peter 2005 charity appeal, "Treasure Trail" (in aid of Childline). This makes him the first puppet to win The Weakest link (Roland Rat had previously appeared as a puppet contestant, but did not win). Basil returned to Weakest Link as one of the contestants on the show's 1000th UK edition, recorded on 1 November 2006. It was shown on BBC Two on 18 December 2006. Although he made it to the final round, this time he failed to win. However, the winner (Miss Evans) still decided to share half of her winnings with Basil's chosen charity.
Cinderella
Basil Brush starred in the Christmas pantomime Cinderella in 2007, including St Albans, where he would appear from a large box on wheels for various hilarious off-plot moments, and encouraged children in the audience to shout 'Boom Boom Basil!' after each use of his catch phrase. In December 2010 Basil Brush appeared in the Croydon Fairfield Halls pantomime production of Cinderella.
Basil's Swap Shop
On 20 December 2007, the BBC announced that Basil would be co-presenting a new version of Swap Shop with Barney Harwood on BBC Two. The new series is titled Basil's Swap Shop.
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
In February 2010, Basil Brush appeared on the Australian game show, Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, parts of which were broadcast in 3D.[4]
Mongrels
In July 2010, a conspiracy theorist fox referred to as "Basil" appeared on the "adult puppet show" Mongrels (TV series) in a throwaway gag scene (Never meet your idols).
Are You Being Served?
Mr. Lucas claims to keep his pyjamas in his "Basil Brush" in Season 4, Episode 1 No Sale after Mr. Humphries says he's stopped keeping his in his Paddington Bear.
Rolf Harris at The Royal Albert Hall
Basil appeared with Rolf Harris at his 50th anniversary concert for The Prince's Trust. Basil criticised Rolf about wanting to tie a kangaroo down, leading to a montage of clips from Animal Hospital, then they performed a duet of the song 'In The Court Of King Caractacus' together.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Basil Brush Show, The (1968-80)". Screenonline.org.uk. http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/569137/index.html. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ^ http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/boom_time_for_basil_1_378456
- ^ "Rhiannon Duffin at". Uk.castingcallpro.com. http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/view.php?uid=151554. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ^ http://www.tv.com/untitled/story/21130.html
[edit] External links
- Basil Brush at the Internet Movie Database
- Official Basil Brush website
- BBC website on Basil Brush
- British Film Institute Screen Online
- Ivan Owen Obituary - The Guardian
