Clearly envious by the success of 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' and 'Not The Nine O'Clock News' on the BBC, Granada Television in 1982 pitched together some of the freshest comedy talent around of which consisted of Ben Elton ( who wrote much of the material ), Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Siobhan Redmond and Paul Shearer and placed them into a three part comedy show entitled 'There's Nothing To Worry About!' ( broadcast only in North West England and which was also intended to be a vehicle originally for Rik Mayall ). The following year, Granada screened nationally 'Alfresco', which retained the cast from 'There's Nothing To Worry About!' save for Paul Shearer, who was replaced by Robbie Coltrane.
The sketches had little or no logic to them. It seemed to exist purely in its own world. The first episode contained a sketch in which a nervous young man ( played by Hugh Laurie ) attempts to buy a bottle of perfume from a department store as a gift for his mother. ''I'd like some scent, please.'' says the young man to the sales girl ( played by Emma Thompson ), to which she replies ''Sorry, we don't deliver!''. A 'Tales Of The Unexpected' spoof saw Hugh Laurie dancing to the theme of said show. A very funny 'University Challenge' spoof saw Ben Elton answering a question about MI5 spies, only then to be shot dead.
The first series was overall very dark in tone. Each week, it would open with an animated set of opening titles which saw a busker playing on a saxophone 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'. The second series was more upbeat and featured a catchy tune provided by the late David McNiven which played over a comic-strip style set of titles. It was also in the second series that 'The Pretend Pub' ( an obvious send-up of 'Crossroads' ) was introduced, a patently obvious mock-up of a pub peopled by strange characters such as Ezzer, Bezzer, Lord Stezzer, Huzzer and Bobzerr.
Despite its many plus points, 'Alfresco' sadly just did not gel. Critics slashed it to pieces and after the second series it simply vanished into the open air. Perhaps it was just too weird for Granada audiences. The cast certainly did their very best with what they were given. In particular, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson ( who looked particularly sexy in some of her guises ) and Robbie Coltrane managed a few guffaws but overall the 'Python' feel was not suited to this stable of comedy.
Despite its unremarkable reception, 'Alfresco' has still proved influential in some respects. For instance, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie later made their own BBC series 'A Bit Of Fry & Laurie', Siobhan Redmond landed many straight acting roles such as Maureen Connell in 'Between The Lines' whilst Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson went on to become Oscar award winning stars. In 2009, 'Alfresco' was released on DVD, with all three episodes of 'There's Nothing To Worry About!' included as a special feature.
The sketches had little or no logic to them. It seemed to exist purely in its own world. The first episode contained a sketch in which a nervous young man ( played by Hugh Laurie ) attempts to buy a bottle of perfume from a department store as a gift for his mother. ''I'd like some scent, please.'' says the young man to the sales girl ( played by Emma Thompson ), to which she replies ''Sorry, we don't deliver!''. A 'Tales Of The Unexpected' spoof saw Hugh Laurie dancing to the theme of said show. A very funny 'University Challenge' spoof saw Ben Elton answering a question about MI5 spies, only then to be shot dead.
The first series was overall very dark in tone. Each week, it would open with an animated set of opening titles which saw a busker playing on a saxophone 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'. The second series was more upbeat and featured a catchy tune provided by the late David McNiven which played over a comic-strip style set of titles. It was also in the second series that 'The Pretend Pub' ( an obvious send-up of 'Crossroads' ) was introduced, a patently obvious mock-up of a pub peopled by strange characters such as Ezzer, Bezzer, Lord Stezzer, Huzzer and Bobzerr.
Despite its many plus points, 'Alfresco' sadly just did not gel. Critics slashed it to pieces and after the second series it simply vanished into the open air. Perhaps it was just too weird for Granada audiences. The cast certainly did their very best with what they were given. In particular, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson ( who looked particularly sexy in some of her guises ) and Robbie Coltrane managed a few guffaws but overall the 'Python' feel was not suited to this stable of comedy.
Despite its unremarkable reception, 'Alfresco' has still proved influential in some respects. For instance, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie later made their own BBC series 'A Bit Of Fry & Laurie', Siobhan Redmond landed many straight acting roles such as Maureen Connell in 'Between The Lines' whilst Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson went on to become Oscar award winning stars. In 2009, 'Alfresco' was released on DVD, with all three episodes of 'There's Nothing To Worry About!' included as a special feature.
