In the autumn of 1991, B.B.C-2 enjoyed surprising ratings success with networked repeats of Gerry Anderson's 'Thunderbirds'. They followed this up with 'Stingray' and 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', as well as several shows from the I.T.C. stable, including 'U.F.O.', 'The Champions' and 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased ). It was to tap into this vogue for retro action telly that inspired 'Fast Show' creator Charlie Higson to revive the latter. He made several changes, such as turning Jeannie into Marty's girlfriend instead of his wife, and giving a ghostly world for Hopkirk to inhabit, presided over by the all-wise spirit mentor 'Wyvern' ( Tom Baker ).
When I heard that Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer had been cast as the leads, my blood ran cold. To make matters worse, they had ( so I felt ) been given the wrong roles - Reeves would have made a superb 'Jeff', while Mortimer should have been 'Marty'. I was not really looking forward to the show. But I changed my mind after viewing the first episode. 'Drop Dead' was loosely based on 'My Late Lamented Friend & Partner', but had more humour. Vic and Bob were better than expected, though not actors as such. The gorgeous Emilia Fox set the television alight as 'Jeannie' though. Guest-stars in the series included Sir Derek Jacobi, Charles Dance, Gareth Thomas, David Tennant, Hugh Laurie, and Jessica Stevenson. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, the late Mike Pratt made a cameo in one episode!
I think what Higson really wanted to do was to essentially remake 'The Avengers'. It explains why his version of 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased ) had the the same quirky surrealism as Steed and Mrs.Peel's adventures combined with a dose of supernatural fantasy.
After an excellent first series, 'R & H ( Dec ) returned a year later, but the stories were less amusing and inventive. Viewers lost interest quickly. However, it can now be seen as having paved the way for Russell T. Davies' successful 2005 revival of 'Dr.Who'.
When I heard that Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer had been cast as the leads, my blood ran cold. To make matters worse, they had ( so I felt ) been given the wrong roles - Reeves would have made a superb 'Jeff', while Mortimer should have been 'Marty'. I was not really looking forward to the show. But I changed my mind after viewing the first episode. 'Drop Dead' was loosely based on 'My Late Lamented Friend & Partner', but had more humour. Vic and Bob were better than expected, though not actors as such. The gorgeous Emilia Fox set the television alight as 'Jeannie' though. Guest-stars in the series included Sir Derek Jacobi, Charles Dance, Gareth Thomas, David Tennant, Hugh Laurie, and Jessica Stevenson. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, the late Mike Pratt made a cameo in one episode!
I think what Higson really wanted to do was to essentially remake 'The Avengers'. It explains why his version of 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased ) had the the same quirky surrealism as Steed and Mrs.Peel's adventures combined with a dose of supernatural fantasy.
After an excellent first series, 'R & H ( Dec ) returned a year later, but the stories were less amusing and inventive. Viewers lost interest quickly. However, it can now be seen as having paved the way for Russell T. Davies' successful 2005 revival of 'Dr.Who'.