Jump to content

Basil Brush: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Fixed typo
→2000s relaunch: better verb tense
 
(38 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Fox puppet from British children's television}}
{{Short description|Fox puppet from British children's TV (since 1962)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox character
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=July 2022|this character article focuses more on the shows he has appeared in more than the character himself}}{{Infobox character
| name = Basil Brush
| name = Basil Brush
| image = Basil Brush.jpg
| image = Basil Brush.jpg
Line 16: Line 16:
| first =''The Three Scampies'' (1962)
| first =''The Three Scampies'' (1962)
| title =
| title =
| nickname = Jay North
| nickname =
| alias =
| alias =
| family =
| family =
| significant_other = Roxy
| significant_other = Roxy
| relatives = Mortimer (Cousin), Bingo and Bungo Brush (nephews)
| relatives = Mortimer and Herr Brush (Cousins), Bingo and Bungo Brush (nephews)
| religion =
| religion =
| nationality = British
| nationality = [[English People|English]]
}}
}}


'''Basil Brush''' is a fictional [[fox]], best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts and comic strips. The character has featured on children's television from the 1960s to the present day. He has also appeared in pantomimes across the UK.
'''Basil Brush''' is a fictional [[fox]] best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts, books, annuals and comic strips. The character has featured on children's television from the 1960s to the present day. He has also appeared in pantomimes across the UK.


A mischievous character and a raconteur, Basil Brush is best known for his catchphrase "Ha Ha Ha! [[Sting (percussion)|Boom! Boom!]]", used after something he finds funny, and also for speaking in a "posh" accent and manner, referring to himself as a "fella". The character claims to dislike puppets,<ref>{{cite web|title=BASIL BRUSH - Frazer Ashford|url=http://www.frazerashford.com/basil-brush/4593346000|access-date=1 August 2021|website=www.frazerashford.com}}</ref> and says his most prized possession is his brush, this being the traditional name for a fox's tail.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basil Brush: Boom Boom!|url=https://www.magrigg.co.uk/blog/basil-brush-boom-boom/|access-date=1 August 2021|website=Blog {{!}} Griggs|date=16 September 2020 }}</ref> The character of Basil Brush publicly supports [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City Football Club]], which he refers to as "the foxes".<ref>{{cite web|date=18 June 2020|title=50 years on the telly: interview with BBC superstar Basil Brush|url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/basil-brush-fox-interview/|access-date=1 August 2021|website=The Shortlisted}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=16 February 2016|title=Unexpected famous fans of Midlands football teams|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2016-02-16/unexpected-famous-fans-of-midlands-football-teams|access-date=1 August 2021|website=ITV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Leicester City - Alternative History|url=https://www.mehstg.com/leicest.htm|access-date=1 August 2021|website=www.mehstg.com}}</ref>
A mischievous character and a raconteur, Basil Brush is best known for his catchphrase "Ha Ha Ha! [[Sting (percussion)|Boom! Boom!]]", used after something he finds funny, and also for speaking in a "posh" accent and manner, referring to himself as a "fella". The character claims to dislike puppets,<ref>{{cite web|title=BASIL BRUSH - Frazer Ashford|url=http://www.frazerashford.com/basil-brush/4593346000|access-date=1 August 2021|website=www.frazerashford.com}}</ref> and says his most prized possession is his brush, this being the traditional name for a fox's tail.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basil Brush: Boom Boom!|url=https://www.magrigg.co.uk/blog/basil-brush-boom-boom/|access-date=1 August 2021|website=Blog {{!}} Griggs|date=16 September 2020 }}</ref> He publicly supports the [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City Football Club]], which he refers to as "the foxes".<ref>{{cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=18 June 2020 |title=50 years on the telly: interview with BBC superstar Basil Brush |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/basil-brush-fox-interview/ |access-date=1 August 2021 |website=the-shortlisted.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=16 February 2016|title=Unexpected famous fans of Midlands football teams|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2016-02-16/unexpected-famous-fans-of-midlands-football-teams|access-date=1 August 2021|website=ITV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Leicester City - Alternative History|url=https://www.mehstg.com/leicest.htm|access-date=1 August 2021|website=www.mehstg.com}}</ref>


==1962 to 1968==
==1962-1968==


The original Basil Brush glove puppet was designed by [[Peter Firmin]] in 1962 for an ITV television series, and was voiced and performed by [[Ivan Owen]] until his death in October 2000.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Barker |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/oct/20/guardianobituaries |title=Obituary: Ivan Owen |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref>
The original Basil Brush glove puppet was designed by [[Peter Firmin]] in 1962 for an ITV television series and was voiced and performed by [[Ivan Owen]] until his death in October 2000.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Barker |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/oct/20/guardianobituaries |title=Obituary: Ivan Owen |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref>


Ivan Owen took great care to ensure that he, personally, never received any publicity. Professionally, only Basil had a public persona, with Owen himself remaining entirely unknown. This helped give the character believability, making Basil appear to be real, since—unlike [[Harry Corbett]] and [[Sooty]], for example—the audience never saw the puppeteer. Owen modelled Basil's voice on the actor [[Terry-Thomas]], giving the puppet a touch of well-cultivated class.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obituary, Ivan Owen|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1371002/Ivan-Owen.html|access-date=23 November 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=20 October 2000}}</ref>
Ivan Owen took great care to ensure that he, personally, never received any publicity. Professionally, only Basil had a public persona, with Owen himself remaining entirely unknown. This helped give the character believability, making Basil appear to be real, since—unlike [[Harry Corbett]] and [[Sooty]], for example—the audience never saw the puppeteer. Owen modelled Basil's voice on the actor [[Terry-Thomas]], giving the puppet a touch of well-cultivated class.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obituary, Ivan Owen|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1371002/Ivan-Owen.html|access-date=23 November 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=20 October 2000}}</ref>
Line 37: Line 37:
Basil first appeared on television in 1962, in a series called ''The Three Scampies'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGown |first1=Alistair |title=Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/562266/index.html |website=BFI Screenonline |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> a story of an out-of-work circus act. The human was Howard Williams, Ivan Owen animated and voiced Basil and [[Wally Whyton]] animated and voiced Spike McPike, a very aggressive Scottish hedgehog also made by Peter Firmin.
Basil first appeared on television in 1962, in a series called ''The Three Scampies'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGown |first1=Alistair |title=Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/562266/index.html |website=BFI Screenonline |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> a story of an out-of-work circus act. The human was Howard Williams, Ivan Owen animated and voiced Basil and [[Wally Whyton]] animated and voiced Spike McPike, a very aggressive Scottish hedgehog also made by Peter Firmin.


In the mid-1960s Basil became a supporting act for the magician [[David Nixon (magician)|David Nixon]], upstaging Nixon on the latter's [[BBC One|BBC1]] show ''Nixon at Nine-Five'' in 1967 and ''The Nixon Line'' (1967–68), to such good effect that Basil was offered his own show.
In the mid-1960s, Basil became a supporting act for the magician [[David Nixon (magician)|David Nixon]], upstaging Nixon on the latter's [[BBC One|BBC1]] show ''Nixon at Nine-Five'' in 1967 and ''The Nixon Line'' (1967–68), to such good effect that Basil was offered his own show.


==''The Basil Brush Show'' from 1968 to 1980==
==''The Basil Brush Show'' (1968-1980)==


''The Basil Brush Show'' ran for 12 years from 1968 until 1980, in which he was supported by various famous stooges: first, in 1968, by the actor [[Rodney Bewes]], known on the show as "Mr Rodney"; next, from 1969 to 1973, by the actor [[Derek Fowlds]] (known as "Mr Derek"); then until 1976 by actor and singer [[Roy North]] ("Mr Roy"); then by "Mr Howard" [[Howard Williams (TV presenter)|Howard Williams]], who was in the original "Three Scampies"; and finally by "Mr Billy" ([[Billy Boyle]]). By the mid-1970s the show was aimed at a family audience, so was usually broadcast on BBC1 in an early evening timeslot on Saturdays. This, plus a degree of sophistication in the humour (which often included topical political jokes) helped give Basil a broad mainstream appeal.
''The Basil Brush Show'' ran for 12 years from 1968 to 1980, in which he was supported by various famous stooges: first, in 1968, by the actor [[Rodney Bewes]], known on the show as "Mr Rodney"; next, from 1969 to 1973, by the actor [[Derek Fowlds]] (known as "Mr Derek"); then until 1976 by actor and singer [[Roy North]] ("Mr Roy"); then by "Mr Howard" [[Howard Williams (TV presenter)|Howard Williams]], who was in the original "Three Scampies"; and finally by "Mr Billy" ([[Billy Boyle]]). By the mid-1970s, the show was aimed at a family audience, so it was usually broadcast on BBC1 in an early evening timeslot on Saturdays. This, plus a degree of sophistication in the humour (which often included topical political jokes), helped give Basil a broad mainstream appeal.


The show was recorded with a studio audience, and usually ran about 25 minutes. The format typically featured an introduction by Basil and his stooge (Mr Rodney, Mr Derek, etc.), in which they would do a few jokes; this was followed by a comedy sketch, featuring topical jokes about a then-current subject (for instance, a sketch set on board an aeroplane flying them to a holiday in Spain, loosely based around the hit pop song ''[[Eviva España]]''); then a musical item, featuring a guest singer or group (these included some of the best known singers of the day, top stars such as [[Demis Roussos]] in 1973, [[Petula Clark]] in 1979, and [[Cilla Black]] — big stars vied to get on the show, which had a large audience); sometimes the guest singer would do a song straight, but then also do a comic duet with Basil.
The show was recorded with a studio audience and usually ran for about 25 minutes. The format typically featured an introduction by Basil and his stooge (Mr Rodney, Mr Derek, etc.), in which they would do a few jokes; this was followed by a comedy sketch, featuring topical jokes about a then-current subject (for instance, a sketch set on board an aeroplane flying them to a holiday in Spain, loosely based around the hit pop song ''[[Y Viva España]]''); then a musical item, featuring a guest singer or group (these included some of the best known singers of the day, top stars such as [[Demis Roussos]] in 1973, [[Petula Clark]] in 1979, and [[Cilla Black]] — big stars vied to get on the show, which had a large audience); sometimes the guest singer would do a song straight, but then also do a comic duet with Basil.


Finally, the show would conclude with 'storytime', in which the straight man would read aloud from a serial story about the adventures of some fictitious historical relative of Basil's – for instance 'Bulldog' Basil, or Blast-Off Basil and his journey to the stars (a ''Star Trek'' spoof), or Basil de Farmer, the knight in shining armour (a Robin Hood spoof); or at least he would attempt to, whilst being continually interrupted by a string of jokes and humorous remarks (often concerning "Dirty Gertie from Number Thirty") from Basil. At this point, in the mid-1970s, Basil would often get out Little Ticker, his clockwork wind-up dog, and have it do humorous tricks at the side, almost off-camera, in order to distract the audience and thereby take the rise out of Mr Roy. Each week's story ended on a cliffhanger and the [[catchphrase]] "and that's all we've got time for this week, Basil", followed by protestations from Basil which would lead into a final song, based upon that week's serial story, whilst the closing credits rolled.
Finally, the show would conclude with 'storytime', in which the straight man would read aloud from a serial story about the adventures of some fictitious historical relative of Basil's – for instance 'Bulldog' Basil, or Blast-Off Basil and his journey to the stars (a ''Star Trek'' spoof), or Basil de Farmer, the knight in shining armour (a Robin Hood spoof); or at least he would attempt to, whilst being continually interrupted by a string of jokes and humorous remarks (often concerning "Dirty Gertie from Number Thirty") from Basil. At this point, in the mid-1970s, Basil would often get out Little Ticker, his clockwork wind-up dog, and have it do humorous tricks at the side, almost off-camera, in order to distract the audience and thereby take the rise out of Mr Roy. Each week's story ended on a cliffhanger and the [[catchphrase]] "and that's all we've got time for this week, Basil", followed by protestations from Basil which would lead into a final song, based upon that week's serial story, whilst the closing credits rolled.


==1980s==
==1980s==
A dispute in 1980 led to the show's cancellation. Ivan Owen aspired to a mid-evening timeslot, to which the BBC were unwilling to agree. In 1982, the puppet reappeared on television in ''Let's Read With Basil Brush'', an infant [[ITV Schools|schools programme on ITV]] produced by [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]]. Basil eventually returned to the BBC, as co-host of the long-running children's television series ''[[Crackerjack (TV series)|Crackerjack]]'', broadcast at 4:55{{nbsp}}pm on Fridays, during the 1983–84 season.
A dispute in 1980 led to the show's cancellation. Ivan Owen aspired to a mid-evening timeslot, to which the BBC were unwilling to agree. In 1982, the puppet reappeared on television in ''Let's Read With Basil Brush'', an infant [[ITV Schools|schools programme on ITV]] produced by [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]]. Basil eventually returned to the BBC as co-host of the long-running children's television series ''[[Crackerjack (TV series)|Crackerjack]]'', broadcast at 4:55{{nbsp}}pm on Fridays during the 1983–84 season.


Basil Brush also performed in the theatre, regularly appearing live in Pantomime at Christmas; usually co-starring at the top of the bill with a well-known singer or comedian. His pantomime co-stars during the 1960s included the singer Cilla Black. After the television show's cancellation in 1980, Basil ended his partnership with Mr Billy and teamed up once again with Howard Williams ("Mr Howard"); they toured in a live stage show, capitalising on Basil's celebrity and continuing popularity as a result of thirteen years on TV.
Basil Brush also performed in the theatre, regularly appearing live in Pantomime at Christmas; usually co-starring at the top of the bill with a well-known singer or comedian. His pantomime co-stars during the 1960s included the singer Cilla Black. After the television show's cancellation in 1980, Basil ended his partnership with Mr Billy and teamed up once again with Howard Williams ("Mr Howard"); they toured in a live stage show, capitalising on Basil's celebrity and continuing popularity as a result of thirteen years on TV.


During this period Basil also featured in his own cartoon strip in the children's publication ''[[TV Comic]]'', published weekly in Britain by [[Polystyle Publications]].
During this period, Basil also featured in his own cartoon strip in the children's publication ''[[TV Comic]]'', published weekly in Britain by [[Polystyle Publications]].


==2000s relaunch==
==2000s relaunch==
Line 59: Line 59:
In September 1997, Ivan Owen and Peter Firmin sold the rights to Basil Brush to Bill Haslam, a Cornwall-based businessman and a longtime fan of the character. Haslam formed a Southampton-based company called "Boom! Boom!" with the aim of relaunching Basil Brush with a new television series and public appearances.
In September 1997, Ivan Owen and Peter Firmin sold the rights to Basil Brush to Bill Haslam, a Cornwall-based businessman and a longtime fan of the character. Haslam formed a Southampton-based company called "Boom! Boom!" with the aim of relaunching Basil Brush with a new television series and public appearances.


After Haslam's attempts at relaunching Basil went to little avail, leading to a £55,000 loss, he sold Boom! Boom! to children's media company [[Entertainment Rights|SKD Media]] (later Entertainment Rights) in July 1999, and joined SKD in help to relaunch the property with a new television series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/408021.stm | title=BBC News &#124; the Company File &#124; Brush flush after £1.7m deal }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5633927.bill-enjoys-boom-boom-bonanza/ | title=Bill Enjoys Boom-Boom Bonanza }}</ref> In August 2000, Entertainment Rights announced a new six-episode sitcom series titled ''Foxed'', in co-production with Talent Television, and was in talks with both BBC and ITV for the series' pre-sale. After a toy-deal with [[Hasbro]] was confirmed, the series was retooled and became ''[[The Basil Brush Show]]'', which in January 2002 was announced to air on the [[CBBC|CBBC Channel]] in the Autumn. However, the series would instead be co-produced with The Foundation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/entertainment-rights--ert-/rns/product-launch/200202130700143754R/ | title=Investegate &#124;Entertainment Rights Announcements &#124; Entertainment Rights: Product Launch }}</ref>
After Haslam's attempts at relaunching Basil went to little avail, leading to a £55,000 loss, he sold Boom! Boom! to children's media company [[Entertainment Rights|SKD Media]] (later Entertainment Rights) in July 1999, and joined SKD in help to relaunch the property with a new television series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/408021.stm | title=BBC News &#124; the Company File &#124; Brush flush after £1.7m deal }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5633927.bill-enjoys-boom-boom-bonanza/ | title=Bill Enjoys Boom-Boom Bonanza | date=31 July 1999 }}</ref> In August 2000, Entertainment Rights announced a new six-episode sitcom series titled ''Foxed'', in co-production with Talent Television, and was in talks with both BBC and ITV for the series' pre-sale. After a toy-deal with [[Hasbro]] was confirmed, the series was retooled and became ''[[The Basil Brush Show]]'', which in January 2002 was announced to air on the [[CBBC|CBBC Channel]] in the Autumn. However, the series would instead be co-produced with The Foundation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/entertainment-rights--ert-/rns/product-launch/200202130700143754R/ | title=Investegate &#124;Entertainment Rights Announcements &#124; Entertainment Rights: Product Launch }}</ref>


The series, while still maintaining the faithfulness of the original series, was in the format of a children's sitcom that took place in a flat. Basil who is now performed and voiced by Michael Winsor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justvoicesagency.com/voice/mike-winsor |title=Mike Winsor – Voiceover Artist at Just Voices Agency – Just Voices Agency |access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> was joined by a new comic foil, Mr Stephen, played by [[Christopher Pizzey]], who was later replaced with his Northern Irish cousin Liam ([[Michael Byers (Northern Irish actor)|Michael Byers]]) in 2006. Two new child friends - the moneymaking child Dave (Michael Hayes) and the more sensible Molly ([[Georgina Leonidas]]) (who were Stephen's nephew and niece), in addition to other characters like Madison, who lived upstairs, and Anil, a crazy café owner and inept cook. Anil's niece, Lucy (Janine Vieira in Season 5 and Madeline Castrey in Season 6), appeared in the last two seasons in place of Molly as the female child friend of Basil. Basil Brush now had a family, which included his destructive, hyperactive but cute nephew Bingo, and his criminal cousin Mortimer. Several personalities made cameo appearances on the show. These included [[Eamonn Holmes]] and [[Ainsley Harriott]].
The series, while still maintaining the faithfulness of the original series, was in the format of a children's sitcom that took place in a flat. Basil who is now performed and voiced by Michael Winsor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justvoicesagency.com/voice/mike-winsor |title=Mike Winsor – Voiceover Artist at Just Voices Agency – Just Voices Agency |access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> was joined by a new comic foil, Mr Stephen, played by [[Christopher Pizzey]], who was later replaced with his Northern Irish cousin Liam ([[Michael Byers (Northern Irish actor)|Michael Byers]]) in 2006. Two new child friends - the moneymaking child Dave (Michael Hayes) and the more sensible Molly ([[Georgina Leonidas]]) (who were Stephen's nephew and niece), in addition to other characters like Madison, who lived upstairs, and Anil ([[Ajay Chhabra]]), a crazy café owner and inept cook. Anil's niece, Lucy (Janine Vieira in Season 5 and Madeline Castrey in Season 6), appeared in the last two seasons in place of Molly as the female child friend of Basil. Basil Brush now had a family, which included his destructive, hyperactive but cute nephew Bingo, and his criminal cousin Mortimer. Several personalities made cameo appearances on the show. These included [[Eamonn Holmes]] and [[Ainsley Harriott]].


The original shows were recorded before a studio audience, composed mainly of children, but the new programme used a post-production laughter track instead of an audience. Interspersed with the main programme, there were animated shorts in which Basil and/or another character is seen making jokes. The more recent puppet looks different from the original 1960s/1970s puppet in a number of aspects and, apart from being well-spoken, the voice of Basil is very different from the original Ivan Owen version. Basil Brush often breaks the [[fourth wall]] by having shots of the set and making references to how long the show is, and abusing the obvious way of walking across to other scenes.
The original shows had been recorded before a studio audience, composed mainly of children, but the new programme used a post-production laughter track instead of an audience. Interspersed with the main programme, there were animated shorts in which Basil and/or another character is seen making jokes. The more recent puppet looks different from the original 1960s/1970s puppet in a number of aspects and, apart from being well-spoken, the voice of Basil is very different from the original Ivan Owen version. Basil Brush often breaks the [[fourth wall]] by having shots of the set and making references to how long the show is, and abusing the obvious way of walking across to other scenes.


==Preservation==
==Preservation==
The [[British Film Institute]] in November 2016 announced ''The Basil Brush Show'' would be digitised as part of the BFI's five-year strategy for 2017–2022 to preserve programmes from the 1970s and 80s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Masters|first1=Tim|title=Basil Brush and Tiswas among 'at risk' TV shows, says BFI|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38131911|access-date=23 November 2017|work=BBC News|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Many of the tapes at the BFI's Conservation Centre in Hertfordshire were reportedly deteriorating and at risk of becoming unplayable.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Westbrook|first1=Caroline|title=Some of your childhood favourites – including Tiswas and Basil Brush – are getting a digital makeover|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/29/basil-brush-and-tiswas-among-at-risk-shows-to-be-preserved-by-the-bfi-6290345/|access-date=23 November 2017|publisher=Metro.co.uk|date=29 November 2016}}</ref>
The [[British Film Institute]] in November 2016 announced ''The Basil Brush Show'' would be digitised as part of the BFI's five-year strategy for 2017–2022 to preserve programmes from the 1970s and 80s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Masters|first1=Tim|title=Basil Brush and Tiswas among 'at risk' TV shows, says BFI|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38131911|access-date=23 November 2017|work=BBC News|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Many of the tapes at the BFI's Conservation Centre in Hertfordshire were reportedly deteriorating and at risk of becoming unplayable.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Westbrook|first1=Caroline|title=Some of your childhood favourites – including Tiswas and Basil Brush – are getting a digital makeover|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/29/basil-brush-and-tiswas-among-at-risk-shows-to-be-preserved-by-the-bfi-6290345/|access-date=23 November 2017|publisher=Metro.co.uk|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Since October 2023, the Film is Fabulous! project has reported a recovery of three episodes from the fourth series of The Basil Brush show. Prior to this discovery, no episodes from this series were present in the archives, however now episodes 2, 6, and 10 of the 15 episode series exist in the archives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Three Basil Brush Shows! {{!}} Film is Fabulous |url=https://filmisfabulous.org.uk/three-basil-brush-shows/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref>


==Other appearances==
==Other appearances==
{{Too many sections|section|date=June 2023}}
===''Basil's Cartoon Story Book''===
===''Basil's Cartoon Story Book''===
''Basil's Cartoon Story Book'' is a collection of 24 animated children's stories from around the world and presented by Basil Brush.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basil Brush|url=http://www.toonhound.com/basilbrush.htm|website=Toonhound|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> Released on VHS in 1994, it was sold and distributed in the United Kingdom by PolyGram Video Ltd under The Pocket Money Video brand.

''Basil's Cartoon Story Book'' is a collection of 24 animated children's stories from around the world and presented by Basil Brush.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basil Brush|url=http://www.toonhound.com/basilbrush.htm|website=Toonhound|publisher=Toonhound|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> Released on VHS in 1994, it was sold and distributed in the United Kingdom by PolyGram Video Ltd under The Pocket Money Video brand.


===''The Goodies''===
===''The Goodies''===
Basil appears in two episodes of ''[[The Goodies (TV series)|The Goodies]]''. In "[[A Kick in the Arts]]", he cameos in a fox hunting scene.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Allender|first1=Brett|title=The Goodies Clarion & Globe 104 Jul 2004|url=http://www.goodiesruleok.com/articles.php?id=250|website=The Goodies Rule – OK! Fan Club|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> In "[[The Goodies Rule – O.K.?]]", he is a member of the "Puppet Government".

Basil appears in two episodes of ''[[The Goodies (TV series)|The Goodies]]''. In ''[[A Kick in the Arts]]'', he cameos in a fox hunting scene.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Allender|first1=Brett|title=The Goodies Clarion & Globe 104 Jul 2004|url=http://www.goodiesruleok.com/articles.php?id=250|website=The Goodies Rule – OK! Fan Club|publisher=The Goodies Rule – OK! Fan Club|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> In ''[[The Goodies Rule – O.K.?]]'', he is a member of the "Puppet Government".


===''Stick It Out''===
===''Stick It Out''===

Basil appears on the 1993 Comic Relief song "[[Stick It Out (Right Said Fred song)|Stick It Out]]" with [[Right Said Fred]] and other celebrity friends.
Basil appears on the 1993 Comic Relief song "[[Stick It Out (Right Said Fred song)|Stick It Out]]" with [[Right Said Fred]] and other celebrity friends.
<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best (and Worst) Charity Singles Ever|url=http://entertainment.ie/music/feature/The-Best-and-Worst-Charity-Singles-Ever/201/4874.htm|website=Entertainment.ie|publisher=Entertainment Media Networks Ltd|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best (and Worst) Charity Singles Ever|url=http://entertainment.ie/music/feature/The-Best-and-Worst-Charity-Singles-Ever/201/4874.htm|website=Entertainment.ie|publisher=Entertainment Media Networks Ltd|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>


===''Fantasy Football League''===
===''Fantasy Football League''===
Also in 1993, Basil appeared alongside [[Roy Hattersley]] on the BBC comedy series ''[[Fantasy Football League (TV series)|Fantasy Football League]]'' with [[Frank Skinner]] and [[David Baddiel]]; it was his first television appearance in a decade.<ref>Fantasy Football League [Series 1, Episode 10] [1993/94]</ref> His fantasy football team for the series included [[Norwich City]] midfielder [[Ruel Fox]].


===''French and Saunders''===
Also in 1993, Basil appeared alongside [[Roy Hattersley]] on the BBC comedy series ''[[Fantasy Football League]]'' with [[Frank Skinner]] and [[David Baddiel]], it was his first television appearance in a decade.<ref>Fantasy Football League [Series 1, Episode 10] [1993/94]</ref> His fantasy football team for the series included [[Norwich City]] midfielder [[Ruel Fox]].
Basil played [[Magical creatures in Harry Potter#Dobby|Dobby]] the house elf in the ''[[French & Saunders]]'' sketch "[[Harry Potter]] and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan" for [[Comic Relief]] Red Nose Day 2003.<ref>{{cite web|title=Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan (2003)|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8908caa1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920140426/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8908caa1|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2017|website=BFI|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>


==="I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (Comic Relief version)===
===''Blue Peter''===
Basil had a cameo as one among an audience of celebrity guests observing [[Phoenix Nights#The Phoenix Club|Brian Potter]] and [[Lou and Andy|Andy Pipkin]] in the promotional video for the [[Comic Relief]] version of [[The Proclaimers]]' "[[I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=THE PROCLAIMERS "I'M GONNA BE (500 MILES)"|url=https://www.simplyeighties.com/the-proclaimers-im-gonna-be-500-miles.php#.WhYRazdx200|website=Simply Eighties|publisher=Simplyeighties.com|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref>

Basil briefly appeared as a presenter for several Friday episodes of the popular British children's TV programme ''[[Blue Peter]]'' in 2003, in which he had his own joke segment. On 16 November 2010, Basil made a further guest appearance for one episode.

'''''French and Saunders'''''

Basil played [[Dobby the house elf]] in the ''[[French & Saunders]]'' sketch "[[Harry Potter]] and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan" for ''[[Comic Relief (charity)|Comic Relief]]'' [[Red Nose Day]] 2003.<ref>{{cite web|title=Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan (2003)|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8908caa1|website=BFI|publisher=BFI|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>

===''500 miles''===

Basil has a cameo among the group of celebs observing Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin for the [[Comic Relief]] single "I would roll 500 miles".<ref>{{cite web|title=THE PROCLAIMERS "I'M GONNA BE (500 MILES)"|url=https://www.simplyeighties.com/the-proclaimers-im-gonna-be-500-miles.php#.WhYRazdx200|website=Simply Eighties|publisher=Simplyeighties.com|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref>


===''The Weakest Link''===
===''The Weakest Link''===
On 10 December 2005, Basil appeared on ''[[The Weakest Link (British game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' and won the show, receiving £10,900 for his chosen charity, the ''[[Blue Peter]]'' 2005 charity appeal "Treasure Trail" (in aid of [[Childline]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entertainmentrights.com/news/archive/december/basilweakestlink|title=Basil Brush is the Strongest Link!|publisher=[[Entertainment Rights]]|date=2005-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515234103/http://www.entertainmentrights.com/news/archive/december/basilweakestlink |accessdate=2023-05-09|archive-date=15 May 2006 }}</ref><ref name="Perry2016">{{cite book|first=Chris|last=Perry|title=The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937–2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJQACAAAQBAJ&pg=PA596|date=3 February 2016|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-900203-60-9|pages=596–}}</ref>

On 10 December 2005 Basil appeared on ''[[The Weakest Link (British game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' and won the show, receiving £10,900 for his chosen charity, the ''[[Blue Peter]]'' 2005 charity appeal, "Treasure Trail" (in aid of [[Childline]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515234103/http://www.entertainmentrights.com/news/archive/december/basilweakestlink|title=Basil Brush is the Strongest Link!|publisher=[[Entertainment Rights]]|date=2005-12-10|accessdate=2023-05-09}}</ref><ref name="Perry2016">{{cite book|first=Chris|last=Perry|title=The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937–2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJQACAAAQBAJ&pg=PA596|date=3 February 2016|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-900203-60-9|pages=596–}}</ref> This makes him the first puppet to win ''The Weakest Link'' ([[Roland Rat]] had previously appeared as a puppet contestant, but did not win).

Basil returned to ''The Weakest Link'' as one of the contestants on the show's 1000th UK edition, recorded on 1 November 2006 and aired on [[BBC Two]] on 18 December 2006. Although he made it to the final round, this time he failed to win. However, the winner (Miss Evans) still decided to share half of her winnings with Basil's chosen charity. Although Basil is a puppet, he did not appear in the puppet special that aired the following year.

===''Cinderella''===

Basil Brush starred in the Christmas [[pantomime]] ''[[Cinderella]]'' in 2007, including [[St Albans]], where he would appear from a large box on wheels for various hilarious off-plot moments, and encouraged children in the audience to shout 'Boom Boom Basil!' after each use of his catchphrase. In December 2010, Basil appeared in the Croydon [[Fairfield Halls]] pantomime production of ''Cinderella''.

=== ''Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game'' ===
Basil made a surprise guest appearance at the end of an act featured on the BBC game show ''[[The Generation Game]]'' in about 1973, where the game between the players was to identify six celebrities hidden behind disguises who sang a song about a dastardly plot to blow up the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|Houses of Parliament]]. Both teams of contestants identified Basil as one of the masked celebrities.

===''Jim Davidson's Generation Game'' ===
Basil made another surprise guest appearance once again featured on [[Jim Davidson]]'s version of the BBC game show ''The Generation Game'' on 30 December 2000 when he met Jim Davidson and a contestant Sue, telling them a rabbit joke. This appearance marked the first time that Michael Winsor plays the role of Basil Brush.

===''Basil's Swap Shop''===

On 20 December 2007 the BBC announced that Basil would be co-presenting a new version of ''[[Multi-Coloured Swap Shop|Swap Shop]]'' with [[Barney Harwood]] on [[BBC Two]]. The new series is titled ''[[Basil's Swap Shop]]''.


===''Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation''===
===''Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation''===
In February 2010, Basil Brush appeared on the Australian game show ''[[Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation]]'' in episode one of season two as the show's first international guest. He appeared in the Baby Boomer team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/untitled/story/21130.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205000517/http://www.tv.com/untitled/story/21130.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Shaun Micallef cautiously agrees to more Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation without outstaying his welcome. |publisher=Tv.com |access-date=19 November 2015 }}</ref>

In February 2010 Basil Brush appeared on the Australian game show ''[[Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation]]'' in episode one of season two as the show's first international guest. He appeared in the Baby Boomer team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/untitled/story/21130.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205000517/http://www.tv.com/untitled/story/21130.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Shaun Micallef cautiously agrees to more Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation without outstaying his welcome. |publisher=Tv.com |access-date=19 November 2015 }}</ref>

===''Aladdin''===

Basil Brush starred alongside Debra Stephenson, Malcolm Lord and the Harper Brothers in ''Aladdin'' at the [[Regent Theatre, Ipswich]].{{when|date=September 2022}}

===''Mongrels''===

In July 2010 a [[Holocaust denial|Holocaust denier]] Fox referred to as "Basil" appeared on the "adult puppet show" ''[[Mongrels (TV series)|Mongrels]]'' in a [[throwaway gag]] scene (Never meet your idols).

===''Rolf Harris at The Royal Albert Hall''===

Basil appeared with [[Rolf Harris]] at his 50th-anniversary concert for The Prince's Trust. Basil criticised Rolf about wanting to [[Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport|tie a kangaroo down]], leading to a montage of clips from ''[[Animal Hospital]]'', then they performed a duet of the song 'In The Court of King Caractacus' together.

===''Celebrity Juice''===

Basil was the ''Newerer Magazine'' headline in the ''[[Celebrity Juice]]'' Series 6 Christmas special.

===''ITV News''===

On 21 December 2012, Basil appeared on the show ITV News as part of the "Text Santa" charity event.

===''Let's Dance for Comic Relief''===

On 2 March 2013, Basil appeared in the third episode of the 2013 series.

===''Beauty and the Beast''===

Between 3 December 2014 and 11 January 2015, Basil starred in ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'' at the Theatre Royal in Windsor.

===''Good Morning Britain''===

On 2 March 2015, Basil appeared on ''[[Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]]'' talking about his tour around the United Kingdom. On 5 April 2018, Basil became the Guest Entertainment Editor.


===''Pointless Celebrities''===
===''Pointless Celebrities''===

On 12 September 2015 and 29 May 2016, Basil appeared on ''[[Pointless Celebrities]]'' in episodes featuring children's TV presenters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pointless Celebrities, Series 8 – Episode 2 Children's TV|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/dryz9s/pointless-celebrities--s8-e2-childrens-tv/|website=RadioTimes|publisher=[[Immediate Media Company Ltd]]|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref>
On 12 September 2015 and 29 May 2016, Basil appeared on ''[[Pointless Celebrities]]'' in episodes featuring children's TV presenters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pointless Celebrities, Series 8 – Episode 2 Children's TV|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/dryz9s/pointless-celebrities--s8-e2-childrens-tv/|website=RadioTimes|publisher=[[Immediate Media Company Ltd]]|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref>


===''The Last Leg''===
===''The Last Leg''===

On 11 November 2016, Basil appeared on ''[[The Last Leg]]'' to considerable public adulation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Starkey|first1=Adam|title=Basil Brush appeared on The Last Leg and viewers want him as a 'permanent fixture' on the show|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/12/basil-brush-appeared-on-the-last-leg-and-viewers-want-him-as-a-permanent-fixture-on-the-show-6252969/|access-date=23 November 2017|publisher=Metro.co.uk|date=12 November 2016}}</ref> On 23 December 2016, by popular demand, Basil appeared on the Christmas special. He also appeared via a Zoom call on 26 February 2021 under the pretext to discuss giving secret messages in his programmes in the '60s and '70s. On 28 January 2022, he reappeared for a short cameo as a temporary host in reference to Russia perhaps [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invading Ukraine]] and appointing a "puppet" leader.
On 11 November 2016, Basil appeared on ''[[The Last Leg]]'' to considerable public adulation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Starkey|first1=Adam|title=Basil Brush appeared on The Last Leg and viewers want him as a 'permanent fixture' on the show|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/12/basil-brush-appeared-on-the-last-leg-and-viewers-want-him-as-a-permanent-fixture-on-the-show-6252969/|access-date=23 November 2017|publisher=Metro.co.uk|date=12 November 2016}}</ref> On 23 December 2016, by popular demand, Basil appeared on the Christmas special. He also appeared via a Zoom call on 26 February 2021 under the pretext to discuss giving secret messages in his programmes in the '60s and '70s. On 28 January 2022, he reappeared for a short cameo as a temporary host in reference to Russia perhaps [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invading Ukraine]] and appointing a "puppet" leader.


===''The Chase: Celebrity Special''===
===''The Chase: Celebrity Special''===

On 10 December 2017, Basil appeared on ''[[The Chase (British game show)|The Chase]]''.
On 10 December 2017, Basil appeared on ''[[The Chase (British game show)|The Chase]]''.


He earned £8,000 in his Cash Builder, which he banked for the team by winning his head-to-head Chase with Jenny "The Vixen" Ryan. In the Final Chase, he teamed up with Sam Quek and Charlie Higson to defeat the Vixen and win £7,666.66 (1/3 of £23,000) for charity.
He earned £8,000 in his Cash Builder, which he banked for the team by winning his head-to-head Chase with Jenny "The Vixen" Ryan. In the Final Chase, he teamed up with Sam Quek and Charlie Higson to defeat the Vixen and win £7,666.66 (1/3 of £23,000) for charity.


Basil returned to the Chase on 28 August 2022 (Series 13, Episode 1) with [[Sunetra Sarker]], [[Matty Lee]], and [[David Arnold]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Chase: Celebrity Special: Sunetra Sarker, Matty Lee, David Arnold, Basil Brush (S13EP1 ITV Monday 29 August 2022)|url=https://www.memorabletv.com/episodes/the-chase-celebrity-special-sunetra-sarker-matty-lee-david-arnold-basil-brush-s13ep1-itv-monday-29-august-2022/|url-status=live|access-date=28 August 2022|website=Memorable TV|date=27 August 2022 }}</ref> Basil earned £3,000 to complete a full house for the Final Chase against [[Darragh Ennis]] for £19,000. The team beat Ennis with each celebrity taking £4,750 home for their charities.
Basil returned to the Chase on 28 August 2022 (Series 13, Episode 1) with [[Sunetra Sarker]], [[Matty Lee]], and [[David Arnold]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Chase: Celebrity Special: Sunetra Sarker, Matty Lee, David Arnold, Basil Brush (S13EP1 ITV Monday 29 August 2022)|url=https://www.memorabletv.com/episodes/the-chase-celebrity-special-sunetra-sarker-matty-lee-david-arnold-basil-brush-s13ep1-itv-monday-29-august-2022/|access-date=28 August 2022|website=Memorable TV|date=27 August 2022 }}</ref> Basil earned £3,000 to complete a full house for the Final Chase against [[Darragh Ennis]] for £19,000. The team beat Ennis with each celebrity taking £4,750 home for their charities.

===''The Generation Game''===

It was revealed that Basil starred in the revamped version of The Generation Game alongside Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins when it returned in Spring 2018 on BBC 1.

===''Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two''===

On 16 November 2018, Basil appeared on ''[[Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two]]'' alongside [[Alexandra Burke]], [[Jamie Cullum]] and [[Rob Deering]] as a part of the Friday Panel. He revealed that his favourite dance is the Foxtrot.

===''Dick Whittington''===

Basil appeared in ''[[Dick Whittington]]'' at the Theatre Royal in Windsor which ran from 23 November 2018 to 6 January 2019.

===''Cinderella''===

In 2020 Basil appeared in Cinderella at the Theatre Royal in Windsor which ran from 3 December 2020 to 10 January 2021


=== ''Hypothetical'' ===
=== ''Hypothetical'' ===
In 2021, Basil appeared on the first episode of the third season of ''[[Hypothetical (TV series)|Hypothetical]]'' as one of the celebrities in the 'Wall of Celebrities' segment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Winsor|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/michael_winsor/|url-status=live|access-date=9 March 2021|website=British Comedy Guide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808144659/https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/michael_winsor/ |archive-date=8 August 2020 }}</ref>
In 2021, Basil appeared on the first episode of the third season of ''[[Hypothetical (TV series)|Hypothetical]]'' as one of the celebrities in The Great Wall of Celebrities round.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Winsor|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/michael_winsor/|url-status=live|access-date=9 March 2021|website=British Comedy Guide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808144659/https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/michael_winsor/ |archive-date=8 August 2020 }}</ref>


=== ''QI'' ===
===''QI''===
Basil appeared on [[QI]] for their 'T' series show themed around television on 25 November 2022 (in recognition of the [[BBC]]'s 100th birthday). Basil managed to score minus 20 points having triggered the klaxon twice. [[Sandi Toksvig]] incorrectly introduced Basil as a dog, but was duly corrected.
Basil appeared on ''[[QI]]'' in 2022, in an episode that formed part of the BBC's 100th anniversary commemorations, alongside host [[Sandi Toksvig]] and regular panelist [[Alan Davies]]


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Entertainment Rights]]
*[[Entertainment Rights]]
*[[CBBC Channel]]
*[[CBBC]]
*[[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]]
*[[List of BBC children's television programmes]]
*[[List of BBC children's television programmes]]


Latest revision as of 22:25, 19 November 2024

Basil Brush
First appearanceThe Three Scampies (1962)
Created by
Portrayed by
  • Ivan Owen (1962–2000)
  • Michael Winsor (2000–present)
In-universe information
SpeciesFox
GenderMale
Significant otherRoxy
RelativesMortimer and Herr Brush (Cousins), Bingo and Bungo Brush (nephews)
NationalityEnglish

Basil Brush is a fictional fox best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts, books, annuals and comic strips. The character has featured on children's television from the 1960s to the present day. He has also appeared in pantomimes across the UK.

A mischievous character and a raconteur, Basil Brush is best known for his catchphrase "Ha Ha Ha! Boom! Boom!", used after something he finds funny, and also for speaking in a "posh" accent and manner, referring to himself as a "fella". The character claims to dislike puppets,[1] and says his most prized possession is his brush, this being the traditional name for a fox's tail.[2] He publicly supports the Leicester City Football Club, which he refers to as "the foxes".[3][4][5]

1962-1968

[edit]

The original Basil Brush glove puppet was designed by Peter Firmin in 1962 for an ITV television series and was voiced and performed by Ivan Owen until his death in October 2000.[6]

Ivan Owen took great care to ensure that he, personally, never received any publicity. Professionally, only Basil had a public persona, with Owen himself remaining entirely unknown. This helped give the character believability, making Basil appear to be real, since—unlike Harry Corbett and Sooty, for example—the audience never saw the puppeteer. Owen modelled Basil's voice on the actor Terry-Thomas, giving the puppet a touch of well-cultivated class.[7]

Basil first appeared on television in 1962, in a series called The Three Scampies,[8] a story of an out-of-work circus act. The human was Howard Williams, Ivan Owen animated and voiced Basil and Wally Whyton animated and voiced Spike McPike, a very aggressive Scottish hedgehog also made by Peter Firmin.

In the mid-1960s, Basil became a supporting act for the magician David Nixon, upstaging Nixon on the latter's BBC1 show Nixon at Nine-Five in 1967 and The Nixon Line (1967–68), to such good effect that Basil was offered his own show.

The Basil Brush Show (1968-1980)

[edit]

The Basil Brush Show ran for 12 years from 1968 to 1980, in which he was supported by various famous stooges: first, in 1968, by the actor Rodney Bewes, known on the show as "Mr Rodney"; next, from 1969 to 1973, by the actor Derek Fowlds (known as "Mr Derek"); then until 1976 by actor and singer Roy North ("Mr Roy"); then by "Mr Howard" Howard Williams, who was in the original "Three Scampies"; and finally by "Mr Billy" (Billy Boyle). By the mid-1970s, the show was aimed at a family audience, so it was usually broadcast on BBC1 in an early evening timeslot on Saturdays. This, plus a degree of sophistication in the humour (which often included topical political jokes), helped give Basil a broad mainstream appeal.

The show was recorded with a studio audience and usually ran for about 25 minutes. The format typically featured an introduction by Basil and his stooge (Mr Rodney, Mr Derek, etc.), in which they would do a few jokes; this was followed by a comedy sketch, featuring topical jokes about a then-current subject (for instance, a sketch set on board an aeroplane flying them to a holiday in Spain, loosely based around the hit pop song Y Viva España); then a musical item, featuring a guest singer or group (these included some of the best known singers of the day, top stars such as Demis Roussos in 1973, Petula Clark in 1979, and Cilla Black — big stars vied to get on the show, which had a large audience); sometimes the guest singer would do a song straight, but then also do a comic duet with Basil.

Finally, the show would conclude with 'storytime', in which the straight man would read aloud from a serial story about the adventures of some fictitious historical relative of Basil's – for instance 'Bulldog' Basil, or Blast-Off Basil and his journey to the stars (a Star Trek spoof), or Basil de Farmer, the knight in shining armour (a Robin Hood spoof); or at least he would attempt to, whilst being continually interrupted by a string of jokes and humorous remarks (often concerning "Dirty Gertie from Number Thirty") from Basil. At this point, in the mid-1970s, Basil would often get out Little Ticker, his clockwork wind-up dog, and have it do humorous tricks at the side, almost off-camera, in order to distract the audience and thereby take the rise out of Mr Roy. Each week's story ended on a cliffhanger and the catchphrase "and that's all we've got time for this week, Basil", followed by protestations from Basil which would lead into a final song, based upon that week's serial story, whilst the closing credits rolled.

1980s

[edit]

A dispute in 1980 led to the show's cancellation. Ivan Owen aspired to a mid-evening timeslot, to which the BBC were unwilling to agree. In 1982, the puppet reappeared on television in Let's Read With Basil Brush, an infant schools programme on ITV produced by Granada Television. Basil eventually returned to the BBC as co-host of the long-running children's television series Crackerjack, broadcast at 4:55 pm on Fridays during the 1983–84 season.

Basil Brush also performed in the theatre, regularly appearing live in Pantomime at Christmas; usually co-starring at the top of the bill with a well-known singer or comedian. His pantomime co-stars during the 1960s included the singer Cilla Black. After the television show's cancellation in 1980, Basil ended his partnership with Mr Billy and teamed up once again with Howard Williams ("Mr Howard"); they toured in a live stage show, capitalising on Basil's celebrity and continuing popularity as a result of thirteen years on TV.

During this period, Basil also featured in his own cartoon strip in the children's publication TV Comic, published weekly in Britain by Polystyle Publications.

2000s relaunch

[edit]
Main article: The Basil Brush Show

In September 1997, Ivan Owen and Peter Firmin sold the rights to Basil Brush to Bill Haslam, a Cornwall-based businessman and a longtime fan of the character. Haslam formed a Southampton-based company called "Boom! Boom!" with the aim of relaunching Basil Brush with a new television series and public appearances.

After Haslam's attempts at relaunching Basil went to little avail, leading to a £55,000 loss, he sold Boom! Boom! to children's media company SKD Media (later Entertainment Rights) in July 1999, and joined SKD in help to relaunch the property with a new television series.[9][10] In August 2000, Entertainment Rights announced a new six-episode sitcom series titled Foxed, in co-production with Talent Television, and was in talks with both BBC and ITV for the series' pre-sale. After a toy-deal with Hasbro was confirmed, the series was retooled and became The Basil Brush Show, which in January 2002 was announced to air on the CBBC Channel in the Autumn. However, the series would instead be co-produced with The Foundation.[11]

The series, while still maintaining the faithfulness of the original series, was in the format of a children's sitcom that took place in a flat. Basil who is now performed and voiced by Michael Winsor[12] was joined by a new comic foil, Mr Stephen, played by Christopher Pizzey, who was later replaced with his Northern Irish cousin Liam (Michael Byers) in 2006. Two new child friends - the moneymaking child Dave (Michael Hayes) and the more sensible Molly (Georgina Leonidas) (who were Stephen's nephew and niece), in addition to other characters like Madison, who lived upstairs, and Anil (Ajay Chhabra), a crazy café owner and inept cook. Anil's niece, Lucy (Janine Vieira in Season 5 and Madeline Castrey in Season 6), appeared in the last two seasons in place of Molly as the female child friend of Basil. Basil Brush now had a family, which included his destructive, hyperactive but cute nephew Bingo, and his criminal cousin Mortimer. Several personalities made cameo appearances on the show. These included Eamonn Holmes and Ainsley Harriott.

The original shows had been recorded before a studio audience, composed mainly of children, but the new programme used a post-production laughter track instead of an audience. Interspersed with the main programme, there were animated shorts in which Basil and/or another character is seen making jokes. The more recent puppet looks different from the original 1960s/1970s puppet in a number of aspects and, apart from being well-spoken, the voice of Basil is very different from the original Ivan Owen version. Basil Brush often breaks the fourth wall by having shots of the set and making references to how long the show is, and abusing the obvious way of walking across to other scenes.

Preservation

[edit]

The British Film Institute in November 2016 announced The Basil Brush Show would be digitised as part of the BFI's five-year strategy for 2017–2022 to preserve programmes from the 1970s and 80s.[13] Many of the tapes at the BFI's Conservation Centre in Hertfordshire were reportedly deteriorating and at risk of becoming unplayable.[14] Since October 2023, the Film is Fabulous! project has reported a recovery of three episodes from the fourth series of The Basil Brush show. Prior to this discovery, no episodes from this series were present in the archives, however now episodes 2, 6, and 10 of the 15 episode series exist in the archives.[15]

Other appearances

[edit]

Basil's Cartoon Story Book

[edit]

Basil's Cartoon Story Book is a collection of 24 animated children's stories from around the world and presented by Basil Brush.[16] Released on VHS in 1994, it was sold and distributed in the United Kingdom by PolyGram Video Ltd under The Pocket Money Video brand.

The Goodies

[edit]

Basil appears in two episodes of The Goodies. In "A Kick in the Arts", he cameos in a fox hunting scene.[17] In "The Goodies Rule – O.K.?", he is a member of the "Puppet Government".

Stick It Out

[edit]

Basil appears on the 1993 Comic Relief song "Stick It Out" with Right Said Fred and other celebrity friends. [18]

Fantasy Football League

[edit]

Also in 1993, Basil appeared alongside Roy Hattersley on the BBC comedy series Fantasy Football League with Frank Skinner and David Baddiel; it was his first television appearance in a decade.[19] His fantasy football team for the series included Norwich City midfielder Ruel Fox.

French and Saunders

[edit]

Basil played Dobby the house elf in the French & Saunders sketch "Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan" for Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2003.[20]

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (Comic Relief version)

[edit]

Basil had a cameo as one among an audience of celebrity guests observing Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin in the promotional video for the Comic Relief version of The Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)".[21]

[edit]

On 10 December 2005, Basil appeared on The Weakest Link and won the show, receiving £10,900 for his chosen charity, the Blue Peter 2005 charity appeal "Treasure Trail" (in aid of Childline).[22][23]

Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation

[edit]

In February 2010, Basil Brush appeared on the Australian game show Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation in episode one of season two as the show's first international guest. He appeared in the Baby Boomer team.[24]

Pointless Celebrities

[edit]

On 12 September 2015 and 29 May 2016, Basil appeared on Pointless Celebrities in episodes featuring children's TV presenters.[25]

The Last Leg

[edit]

On 11 November 2016, Basil appeared on The Last Leg to considerable public adulation.[26] On 23 December 2016, by popular demand, Basil appeared on the Christmas special. He also appeared via a Zoom call on 26 February 2021 under the pretext to discuss giving secret messages in his programmes in the '60s and '70s. On 28 January 2022, he reappeared for a short cameo as a temporary host in reference to Russia perhaps invading Ukraine and appointing a "puppet" leader.

The Chase: Celebrity Special

[edit]

On 10 December 2017, Basil appeared on The Chase.

He earned £8,000 in his Cash Builder, which he banked for the team by winning his head-to-head Chase with Jenny "The Vixen" Ryan. In the Final Chase, he teamed up with Sam Quek and Charlie Higson to defeat the Vixen and win £7,666.66 (1/3 of £23,000) for charity.

Basil returned to the Chase on 28 August 2022 (Series 13, Episode 1) with Sunetra Sarker, Matty Lee, and David Arnold.[27] Basil earned £3,000 to complete a full house for the Final Chase against Darragh Ennis for £19,000. The team beat Ennis with each celebrity taking £4,750 home for their charities.

Hypothetical

[edit]

In 2021, Basil appeared on the first episode of the third season of Hypothetical as one of the celebrities in The Great Wall of Celebrities round.[28]

QI

[edit]

Basil appeared on QI in 2022, in an episode that formed part of the BBC's 100th anniversary commemorations, alongside host Sandi Toksvig and regular panelist Alan Davies

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "BASIL BRUSH - Frazer Ashford". www.frazerashford.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Basil Brush: Boom Boom!". Blog | Griggs. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  3. ^ Pingitore, Silvia (18 June 2020). "50 years on the telly: interview with BBC superstar Basil Brush". the-shortlisted.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Unexpected famous fans of Midlands football teams". ITV News. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Leicester City - Alternative History". www.mehstg.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ Barker, Dennis. "Obituary: Ivan Owen". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Obituary, Ivan Owen". The Telegraph. 20 October 2000. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  8. ^ McGown, Alistair. "Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin". BFI Screenonline. British Film Institute. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  9. ^ "BBC News | the Company File | Brush flush after £1.7m deal".
  10. ^ "Bill Enjoys Boom-Boom Bonanza". 31 July 1999.
  11. ^ "Investegate |Entertainment Rights Announcements | Entertainment Rights: Product Launch".
  12. ^ "Mike Winsor – Voiceover Artist at Just Voices Agency – Just Voices Agency". Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  13. ^ Masters, Tim (29 November 2016). "Basil Brush and Tiswas among 'at risk' TV shows, says BFI". BBC News. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  14. ^ Westbrook, Caroline (29 November 2016). "Some of your childhood favourites – including Tiswas and Basil Brush – are getting a digital makeover". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  15. ^ "Three Basil Brush Shows! | Film is Fabulous". 9 May 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Basil Brush". Toonhound. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  17. ^ Allender, Brett. "The Goodies Clarion & Globe 104 Jul 2004". The Goodies Rule – OK! Fan Club. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  18. ^ "The Best (and Worst) Charity Singles Ever". Entertainment.ie. Entertainment Media Networks Ltd. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  19. ^ Fantasy Football League [Series 1, Episode 10] [1993/94]
  20. ^ "Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan (2003)". BFI. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  21. ^ "THE PROCLAIMERS "I'M GONNA BE (500 MILES)"". Simply Eighties. Simplyeighties.com. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  22. ^ "Basil Brush is the Strongest Link!". Entertainment Rights. 10 December 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  23. ^ Perry, Chris (3 February 2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937–2013. Lulu.com. pp. 596–. ISBN 978-1-900203-60-9.
  24. ^ "Shaun Micallef cautiously agrees to more Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation without outstaying his welcome". Tv.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  25. ^ "Pointless Celebrities, Series 8 – Episode 2 Children's TV". RadioTimes. Immediate Media Company Ltd. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  26. ^ Starkey, Adam (12 November 2016). "Basil Brush appeared on The Last Leg and viewers want him as a 'permanent fixture' on the show". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  27. ^ "The Chase: Celebrity Special: Sunetra Sarker, Matty Lee, David Arnold, Basil Brush (S13EP1 ITV Monday 29 August 2022)". Memorable TV. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Michael Winsor". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Basil_Brush&oldid=1258468444"