There Seems To Be A Bit Of A Nostalgic Theme Developing This Morning. Did Anyone Else Think Steptoe And Son Was The Blackest Of Black Comedies?

[sandyRoe]

I wouldn't have been surprised if the son had done-in his old dad and then hung himself with the reins of their horse in a final episode.

[janbee]

Full of pathos.

[Elina]

Loved Steptoe & Son sandy. Brilliant writing.

[Bathsheba]

Yep, it was pretty grim.

[andy-hughes]

I adored Steptoe, although I never understood (I was too young) at the time just how wonderfully written and acted it was.

The essence of the set-up is the same in all great comedies - the protagonist(s) is trapped, seriously trapped, and they know it.

This applies to all the great comic characters, both Steptoes, Meldrew, Hancock, Perrin, Fawlty, Brent - I am sure there are many more.

But as far as the Steptoes go - Wilfred Bramble's facial expressions were Brechtian in their emotional range and impact.

I also recall watching one episode, and realising after that the entire thing had been shot with one camera, no edits.

I had just watched a classic theatrical 'two hander' in the guise of a sit-com - and just how wonderful it was.

Blacker than black - and a level of quality that is sadly missed.

[tonyav]

Can't remember the last episode, but the one's that I do remember I thought was funny.

[Elina]

I'm sure I read somewhere they couldn't stand each other in real life? Didn't Bramble have an alcohol problem?

[sandyRoe]

I saw very little of The Office and had thought Brent was a man who had no self awareness.

[aelmpvw]

albert was the cat and harold was the mouse ... it was painful to watch at times

[tonyav]

It seems that he was, Elina.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/aug/19/broadcasting.arts

[Bathsheba]

aww,...too late...again..:(
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfrid_Brambell

[tonyav]

snigger.

[Elina]

Thanks for the link Tony. I remember being really disappointed to read that, bizarre!

[tonyav]

Just go to show that things ain't always what you think doesn't it.

[Elina]

Every time you write that word Tony .. I see gnasher the dog .. Beano? Hi Bath xxx

[tonyav]

Dunno why, Elina ;-)
http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/7/72648/1371342-dennis_and_gnasher.jpg

[Bathsheba]

Hiya Lina.
I want to learn how to do italics... test ....

[Bathsheba]

yay!! get me, eh? x x

[VHG]

I am not sure they hated each other, what they hated was being stuck in the two characters and not being able to shake them off.

Certainly at first I am sure they got on fine, but after years together (like some marriages or in a long running pop group) you start to hate the other person/people.

Harry H Corbett was a fine actor before Steptoe, appearing in many "serious" stage plays and being seen as a fine up and coming actor.

He was attracted to the Steptoe TV part because he writing was "real" and "gritty".

However they show was SO successful, and they were both so good in it, they got trapped in it.

Corbett tried to take other roles (Carry On Screaming) but few others would give him parts. He was even turned down for later Carry On films and kept having to go back to Steptoe.

So the more he tried to get away from Steptoe the more he was dragged back in. Terrible example of type casting.

[Elina]

I think it ran deeper than that VHG.
Ha ha Tony ;0) Just in ... packing some shopping away.