The Laughter Show

*The Laughter Show*
The Laughter Show
Directed by	John Bishop Series 1-3, 6 Michael Leggo Series 4-5
Starring	Dustin Gee (Series 1-3); Les Dennis; Roy Jay (Series 1); Caroline Dennis (Series 1);
Theme music composer	Bobby Gubby
Ending theme	Bucks Fizz - Series 1
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	8
No. of episodes	51 (including. 3 Christmas specials)
Production
Producer	John Bishop
Running time	Average 34 minutes
Production company	BBC
Original release
Network	BBC1
Release	7 April 1984 –; 27 July 1991

The Laughter Show is a BBC comedy sketch show, which featured Dustin Gee and Les Dennis (along with Roy Jay and Caroline Dennis in 1984), from 1984 to 1986 and then just featuring Dennis until 1991.

History

Dustin Gee and Les Dennis both started their TV careers on Who Do You Do? in 1975, forming their partnership then.^[1] The pair went on to appear on stage and TV including Russ Abbot's Madhouse. In 1984, BBC 1 gave the pair their own show, The Laughter Show, whilst they continued to work on Russ Abbot's Madhouse.

This was the show that included their most notable impressions, as Coronation Street's Vera Duckworth in two-handers with Mavis Riley.

On 3 January 1986 Dustin Gee died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack^[2] shortly before transmission of the third series (which had already been recorded) was due to start. The series continued with Les Dennis, retitled The Les Dennis Laughter Show, until 1991.

Series

1991 - The Les Dennis Laughter Show - Series 8

Episode 1–22 June - Starring Les Dennis with guests Martin Daniels, Lisa Maxwell, Bruce Grobbelaar, Benedict Eccles, Roy Holder, Herbert Johnston, Clayton Mark, Roger Mark, The Richard Sampson Dancers
Episode 2–29 June - Starring Les Dennis with guests Martin Daniels, Lisa Maxwell, John Gleeson, Roy Holder, David Masterman, Stuart St Paul, Michael Sheard, The Richard Sampson Dancers
Episode 3–6 July - Starring Les Dennis with guests Martin Daniels, Lisa Maxwell, Bryn Williams, Roy Holder, David Masterman, The Richard Sampson Dancers
Episode 4–13 July - Starring Les Dennis with guests Martin Daniels, Sherrie Hewson, John Martin, Roy Holder, Owen Brenman, Benedict Eccles, Stuart Fell, Diane Langton, David Masterman,, The Richard Sampson Dancers
Episode 5–20 July - Starring Les Dennis with guests Martin Daniels, Sherrie Hewson, John Martin, Roy Holder, Owen Brenman, Gail Harrison, Elizabeth Norton, Peter Stockbridge, David Masterman,, The Richard Sampson Dancers
Episode 6–27 July - Starring Les Dennis with guests Martin Daniels, Sherrie Hewson, John Martin, Roy Holder, Owen Brenman, Joanne Heywood, Brian Glover, Herbert Johnson, David Masterman, The Richard Sampson Dancers

References

^ Dustin Gee. The Times (London, England), Monday, January 6, 1986; p. 12
^ [1] Glasgow Herald 4 Jan 1986 p4 " Comedian Dies after Collapsing at theatre
^ "BBC Programme Index: The Laughter Show", BBC Programme Index, BBC, [Programme record taken from Radio Times listings digitised by the BBC for The Genome Project], First broadcast: Sat 9th Mar 1985, 18:40 on BBC One London ― More fast-moving comedy and music featuring Les Dennis and Dustin Gee with their impressions and characters. They are joined this week by comedian Gary Wilmott and music is provided by the talented newcomer Jani
^ "Films, TV and people – Mark Walker: Filmography". BFI. bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023.

External links

[1] Dustin Gee. The Times (London, England), Monday, January 6, 1986; p. 12

[2] [1] Glasgow Herald 4 Jan 1986 p4 " Comedian Dies after Collapsing at theatre

[3] "BBC Programme Index: The Laughter Show", BBC Programme Index, BBC, [Programme record taken from Radio Times listings digitised by the BBC for The Genome Project], First broadcast: Sat 9th Mar 1985, 18:40 on BBC One London ― More fast-moving comedy and music featuring Les Dennis and Dustin Gee with their impressions and characters. They are joined this week by comedian Gary Wilmott and music is provided by the talented newcomer Jani

[4] "Films, TV and people – Mark Walker: Filmography". BFI. bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023.

[1]

[2]

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History

Series

1984 - The Laughter Show - Series 1

1985 - The Laughter Show - Series 2

1986 - Les & Dustin's Laughter Show - Series 3

1987 - Les Dennis's Laughter Show - Series 4

1988 - The Les Dennis Laughter Show - Series 5

1989 - The Les Dennis Laughter Show - Series 6

1990 - The Les Dennis Laughter Show - Series 7

1991 - The Les Dennis Laughter Show - Series 8

References

Further reading

External links