Christmas is Coming...... and Eric & Ernie are going crackers!

SEE INSIDE

ALSO IN THIS FESTIVE ISSUE:

ROMANY JONESTHE MAN IN ROOM 17

YOUR TOP XMAS TV GUIDE!

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR EDITION

Away in a caravan site...

ON THE BUSES creators Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe chart the hilarious misadventures of two couples

living side by side under strained circumstances. Queenie Watts and Arthur Mullard take the lead roles in this comedy of bad manners and one-upmanship amidst the mud, penni-lessness and outrageous fashion sense of a run-down 1970s caravan site – their characters Wally and Lily Briggs proving so successful that they were subsequently spun off into their own series: Yus My Dear (also available from Network DVD).

This fourth series sees City slicker turned caravan dweller Jeremy Crichton-Jones creating more difficulties, both

for himself and his long-suffering wife Susan, while remaining permanently at odds with neighbours Wally and Lily – possi-bly the most artful workshy couple on wheels. As a hard winter descends on the site, however, the unlikely neighbours form a temporary alliance in common cause against the elements...

Time’s up for Blaketon...HEARTBEAT - Sunday, ITV

After eighteen series, the 1960s come to a shocking

conclusion in the final series of HEARTBEAT, and as the

last ever episode nears its dramatic finale, Blaketon and

Ventress find themselves in a potentially fatal stand-off...

Set in rural North Yorkshire during the 1960s, Heartbeat’s

combination of crime and medical storylines, charismatic

regular characters and wonderfully nostalgic soundtrack

made it staple Sunday-night viewing for two decades,

with the series’ many prestigious awards including Best

Performing Peak-Time Drama and several ITV Programme of

the Year awards. Attracting a peak audience of 14 million,

Heartbeat garnered a devoted following and remains prime-

time viewing world-wide.

This final series – which sees PC Joe Mason, DS Rachel

Dawson and district nurse Carol Cassidy heading to

Australia to try to trace former Aidensfield garage mechanic

Rosie – features guest appearances from an array of British

stars, including George Cole, Samantha Bond, Tim Brooke-

Taylor, Keith Barron, Phyllis Logan, Rodney Bewes, Susan

Jameson and Gemma Craven.

Queenie Watts and Ar thur Mullard return in ROMANY JONES

TV ON AIRCHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR Vol. 1 No. 3

TV HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE

CHRISTMAS DAY......wouldn’t be complete without MORECAMBE & WISE (see pages 6&7)

AND NEXT YEAR...

Alexander Armstrong stars as a ‘pointless’ vet in BEAST (see page 5)

ROMANY JONES returns (see opposite)

Adam Faith’s final TV series: THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT (see page 4)

CHRISTMAS comes but once a year and when

it does, it brings another crop of festive TV

favourites, with our cover stars MORECAMBE

AND WISE leading the field. This year, we’ve even got

a snow-covered Arthur Mullard to contend with, as you

can see in the feature opposite. Oh yus...

This month, in addition to our usual programme

features, you’ll find a festive viewing guide to some

of the Christmas specials available from Network,

and a two-page colour feature covering the three

MORECAMBE AND WISE Christmas specials available

in our recently-released festive edition.

We also take a look at some of what the New Year

has in store. Alongside the eagerly-awaited final

series of HEARTBEAT, there’s a second outing for that

inscrutable MAN IN ROOM 17, Alexander Armstrong

as a reluctant vet in BEAST and a chance to see Adam

Faith in his final television series, THE HOUSE THAT

JACK BUILT.

“Okay, Mr. Derek ... you’ve got twenty four hours to get me Basil Brush’s autograph or Constable Thackeray here gets it.”

Who says the 1970s were a fashion disaster?

NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHT

NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHT

What do you want?ADAM FAITH IN HIS LAST TV ROLE?HERE’S THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT...

Pop icon Adam Faith and ex-EastEnder Gillian Taylforth star in this 2002 sitcom chronicling the life of a wealthy property developer who

dreams of nothing less than a family dynasty – even if his benevolent dictatorship isn’t always appreciated. Overseen by veteran screenwriters Marks and Gran, the complete series is made available on DVD for the first time – including an episode never shown on television.

A self-made man, Jack Squire lives with his enduring wife Maxine, youngest son J.J. and daughter Lisa in a style that befits ‘Hertfordshire’s first family’. Eldest son Roger works in the family business and tries to please his dad, although Jack and his daughter-in-law Vicky rarely see eye to eye – for reasons perhaps best known to themselves. Disappointingly for Jack, J.J.’s principal interests are cars and girls, while Lisa is, naturally, the apple of her father’s eye; in fact, if she gets her way – which she usually does – she’ll be the true heir to the Squire fortune…

Man or anagram? Denholm Elliott plays the unusually-named Imrac Defraits

The name’s Defraits - Imrac Defraits. Playing the

part is the suave and rather more plausibly-named

Denholm Elliott, who joins Richard Vernon for a second

series of THE MAN IN ROOM 17.

Room 17 is the secret centre of operations for the

Department of Special Research, a unit set up to study

the criminal mind and handle cases that have baffled

the police and security services. Answerable only to the

Prime Minister, the men in Room 17 pull the strings that

make the undercover world dance, without even leaving

the confines of their Whitehall office.

Created by Big Breadwinner Hog’s Robin Chapman, this

brilliantly inventive Granada series gained cult status

early on and remains very much so to this day.

THERE’S A NEW MAN IN ROOM 17

Alexander Armstrong’s animal antics...

VET BEHAVING BADLY...

Alexander Armstrong stars as

a reluctant and dangerously

incompetent vet in this sharply

scripted BBC-1 sitcom from Men

Behaving Badly creator Simon Nye.

Running for two series, Beast also

stars Emma Pierson, Sylvestra Le

Touzel and Smack the Pony’s Doon

Mackichan – along with an array of

live animals. This complete set makes

both series available for the first time.

Nick is fortunate enough to have

inherited a successful rural practice

from his father. The problem is that

he isn’t especially fond of animals.

In fact, he’s come to detest and fear

them…. with a particular loathing

reserved for guinea pigs. But Nick’s

career has its compensations –

notably the opportunity to encourage

concerned clients to part with large

sums of money, and to meet well-

heeled, good-looking women, for

whom he’s convinced his bedside

manner is enormously attractive.

Come in Budge... your time is nearly up.

NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHT

NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHT

TV ON AIR PHOTO FEATURE

One of the most successful double acts of all time, Morecambe and Wise were a staple ingredient of

British television for four decades, and nothing showcased their comedic brilliance more memorably than the wonderful Christmas Specials that enlivened festive viewing for tens of millions of viewers.

Families across the country gathered around the box for these legendary shows – as much a part of Christmas Day as the Queen’s Speech and the after-dinner nap – with Eric and Ernie aided by an array of guest stars, including David Frost, Hannah Gordon, Glenda Jackson, Leonard Rossiter, Frank Finlay, Peter Barkworth, Des O’Connor, Alec Guinness, and a certain former Prime Minister as you can see opposite. Eric and Ernie’s elevation to Number 10 was assured after that performance!

Now you can relive those magical moments with this first volume, comprising three shows screened on Christmas Day in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Bursting with botched song-and-dance numbers, mangled classics, bad puns and short, fat, hairy legs, these ratings record-breakers show why Morecambe and Wise remain the nation’s favourite comedy duo!

“I tawt I taw a Pwime Minister...” ERIC AND ERNIE BRING

THEIR CHRISTMAS SHOW TO ITV

“Who are you looking at?” BURNSIDE and chums looking mean and moody in black.

DECEMBER 25 WEDNESDAY

7.00 Nearest and DearestHYLDA BAKERJIMMY JEWEL InCindernellieEli invests the factory’s Christmas Club mon-ey in a local pantomime; the cast walks out and Nellie and Eli undertake to star in the show themselves. Complete Series sets of Nearest and Dearest are also available on DVD.WRITTEN BY JOHN STEVENSONDIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY BILL PODMOREORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 21 DECEMBER 1972© 1972 GRANADA TELEVISION LIMITED

7.30 The DustbinmenBRYAN PRINGLETREVOR BANNISTERGRAHAM HABERFIELDTIM WYLTONChristmas SpecialChristmas in the Refuse Depot... the dustbin-men are celebrating. Not that there is much to celebrate this year as tips have been rubbish! The complete Dustbinmen is available on DVD.WRITTEN BY JACK ROSENTHALDIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY DICK EVERITTORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 25 NOVEMBER 1969© 1969 GRANADA TELEVISION LIMITED

8.00 The Rag TradePETER JONESMIRIAM KARLINCHRISTOPHER BEENY inThe Christmas RushIt may be Christmas, but will the running confl ict between Harold and Paddy at Fenner Fash-ions put a dampener on the festive spirit? The complete LWT series of The Rag Trade is now available on DVD.WRITTEN BY RONALD WOLFE AND RONALD CHESNEYDIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY BRYAN IZZARDORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 24 DECEMBER 1977© 1977 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

DECEMBER 24 TUESDAY

8.30 Duty FreeKEITH BARRONGWEN TAYLORJOANNA VAN GYSEGHEM NEIL STACY inA Duty Free ChristmasIn spite of her initial protests, David manages to persuade Amy to spend a Christmas holiday in Spain. By an extraordinary stroke of coinci-dence Linda and Robert have also booked into the same hotel… The complete series of Duty Free is now available on DVD.WRITTEN BY ERIC CHAPPELL AND JEAN WARRDIRECTED BY LES CHATFI ELDPRODUCED BY VERNON LAWRENCEORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 25 DECEMBER 1986© 1986 YORKSHIRE TELEVISION LIMITED

9.00 Two’s CompanyELAINE STRITCHDONALD SINDEN inA Loving ChristmasDorothy and her butler Robert are planning to be away from each other this Christmas, but at home to someone special... The Complete Series of Two’s Company is also available on DVD.WRITTEN BY BILL MACILWRAITHDIRECTED BY JOHN REARDONPRODUCED BY HUMPHREY BARCLAYORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 25 DECEMBER 1976© 1976 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

9.30 Stanley Baxter’s Christmas BoxSTANLEY BAXTERMIRIAM MARGOLYESMORAY WATSONStanley Baxter presents a seasonal send-up with all the trimmings. Amongst which are the Cinderella characters invading the laconic Phillip Marlowe’s office and a Christmas appeal on behalf of the Morally Inhibited. Stanley Baxter: The Specials is also available on DVDWRITTEN BY KEN HOAREDIRECTED BY BRUCE GOWERSPRODUCED BY HUMPHREY BARCLAYORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 26 DECEMBER 1976© 1976 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

6.30 Please, Sir!JOHN ALDERTONDERYCK GUYLERJOAN SANDERSON inAnd Everyone Came TooBernard and Penny dream of their wedding day. However, Potter as chief usher, class 3C as guests, and a forecast of snow could turn it into a nightmare... The complete Series set of Please, Sir! is available on DVD.WRITTEN BY JOHN ESMONDE AND BOB LARBEY DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY MARK STUARTORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 27 DECEMBER 1970© 1970 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

7.00 Only When I LaughJAMES BOLAMPETER BOWLESRICHARD WILSON inAway for ChristmasIt’s Christmas at the hospital, but can X-Ray Figgis and the others really expect any season-al cheer from Doctor Thorpe? Complete series set now available on DVD.WRITTEN BY ERIC CHAPPELL DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY VERNON LAWRENCEORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 24 DECEMBER 1981© 1981 YORKSHIRE TELEVISION LIMITED

7.30 Billy LiarJEFF RAWLEGEORGE A. COOPERCOLIN JEAVONS inThe Gift of the MagiChristmas is coming and Mr Fisher instructs Billy to spend his savings on presents for his family. Billy however, is more tempted by a pair of yellow trousers. Complete Series sets of Billy Liar are also available on DVD.WRITTEN BY KEITH WATERHOUSE AND WILLIS HALL DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY STUART ALLEN ORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 21 DECEMBER 1973© 1973 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

8.00 Bless Me FatherARTHUR LOWEDANIEL ABINERIGABRIELLE DAYEThe Season of GoodwillFather Duddleswell is consumed with the Christ-mas spirit, much to the dismay of housekeeper Mrs Pring. The complete Bless Me Father is now available on DVD.WRITTEN BY PETER DE ROSADIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY DAVID ASKEYORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 23 DECEMBER 1979© 1979 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

8.30 On the BusesREG VARNEYBOB GRANTSTEPHEN LEWIS inChristmas DutyStan and Jack discover, much to their an-noyance, that they have been lumbered with Christmas Day duty in the Depot, supervised by Blakey. Complete Series sets of On the Buses are also available on DVDWRITTEN BY RONALD WOLFE AND RONALD CHESNEYDIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY STUART ALLENORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 25 DECEMBER 1970© 1970 LONDON WEEKEND TELEVISION LIMITED

9.00 Eric & Ernie’sChristmas ShowERIC MORECAMBEERNIE WISEThe Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show has many facets, various aspects, several points of view and a partridge in a pear tree.Viewers will see Eric and Ernie as they have never seen them before: Ernie will sing Wag-ner’s Ring in its entirety and Eric will give his impression of the last turkey in the shop.WRITTEN BY EDDIE BRABEN, BARRY CRYER AND JOHN JUNKIN WITH ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY MORECAMBE & WISEMUSICAL DIRECTOR PETER KNIGHTPRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY KEITH BECKETT AND JOHN AMMONDS© 1978 THAMES TELEVISION LIMITED

10.15 All This and Christmas Too!SID JAMESKENNETH CONNORMade in a gap year of no small screen Carry On productions, this one-off special stars Sid James as Sid Jones, a put-upon father of two.Complete Series sets of Bless This House are also available on DVD.WRITTEN BY SAM CREEDIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY BILL HITCHCOCKORIGINAL ITV TRANSMISSION 24 DECEMBER 1971© 1971 YORKSHIRE TELEVISION LIMITED

For your festive entertainment, we’ve put together a line-up of programmes that you can schedule yourself using the Network DVD releases CLASSIC ITV CHRISTMAS COMEDY and MORECAMBE & WISE - THE CHRISTMAS SPECIALS. And don’t forget, complete series sets of most of these titles are also available. Click on the titles and you’ll go straight to the product page for each DVD.

• PORTAKABINS• PORTALOOS• POTTING SHEDS

The Queen’s speech? There’ll be a rather different versionfrom Stanley Baxter tonight at 9.30

Up the workers... festivities at Fenner Fashions,tonight at 8.00

A rubbish Christmas in store for the Dustbinmen, tonight at 7.30

“Bring me snowballs...” Eric and Ernie indulgein some seasonal antics, tonight at 9.00

on building sites, agricultural land and industrial estates

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL ON A FABULOUS

Illustrated: Portakabin Type 3: sleeps a family of fourplus six building site labourers (sorry, no pets)

As featured on BBC TV’s THAT’S LIFE

CHOOSE FROM A FANTASTIC RANGE OFSeagulls not included

For the fun way to get away, choose a super SHED HOLIDAY. No fuss or facilities to worry about. All sites located within ten minutes drive of the nearest public convenience, in breathtaking industrial landscapes. Phone for details: CONSUMER EXPLOITATION UK LTD, ESSEX.

EVERYTHING’S GREEN WITH DONKEY TOYS!

Via the Tracy Island paint shop

104 Spectrum Hirsuit VehicleThe missile hatch is guaranteed to be broken by boxing day - but never mind, like Captain Scarlet himself, this toy is indestructible. Probably.

105 Maximum Insecurity Vehicle“This is the voice of the Mysterons - we will induce colour blindness in all Spectrum personnel.” Well, that’s our excuse.

103 Spectrum Salon CarCaptain Scarlet’s mobile hairdressers

101 Thunderbird Too(Only available in blue)

100 Lady Penelope’s Flab OneDynamic action model of Lady Penelope’sfamous pink Rolls Royce. Fires rockets underinaccessible items of furniture where theywill remain until the mid 1970s

Colour of model may be metallic green. Unless it’s supposed to be that colour.

Design © 2013 Network | networkonair.com | www.facebook.com/networkdistributing | twitter.com/networktweets