*** Welcome to piglix ***

The Comic Strip

The Comic Strip
Nationality British
Years active 1982 – present
Genres Alternative comedy
Notable works and roles The Comic Strip Presents... (1982–2000, 2005-)
Members Adrian Edmondson
Dawn French
Rik Mayall
Nigel Planer
Peter Richardson
Jennifer Saunders
Alexei Sayle
The Comic Strip Presents...
Created by Peter Richardson
Written by Peter Richardson
Pete Richens
Directed by Peter Richardson
Starring Adrian Edmondson
Dawn French
Rik Mayall
Nigel Planer
Peter Richardson
Jennifer Saunders
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 5
No. of episodes 42
(List of The Comic Strip Presents... episodes)
Production
Running time 30 minutes
Release
Original network Channel 4 (1982–2000, 2005, 2011)
BBC2 (1990–93)
Gold (2012-)
Picture format 4:3
16:9
Original release 2 November 1982 – present

The Comic Strip is a group of British comedians who came to prominence in the 1980s. They are known for their television series The Comic Strip Presents... which was labelled as a pioneering example of the alternative comedy scene. The core members are Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson, Jennifer Saunders and Alexei Sayle, with frequent appearances by Keith Allen, Robbie Coltrane and others.

Two double acts, Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall under the name "20th Century Coyote" and Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson as "The Outer Limits", started performing at the newly opened Comedy Store in London in mid-1980, alongside compere Alexei Sayle who had been resident there since the Comedy Store opened in 1979. Concurrently Richardson searched for a venue to mount a play he had produced with Michael White. He planned to run The Comic Strip late at night after the play's performances. He sourced the Raymond Revue Bar in Soho, but realising it was unsuitable for a theatrical production and running out of enthusiasm for the play he decided to continue with the idea of a cabaret night. He persuaded the double acts and Sayle to move from the Comedy Store along with Arnold Brown, an older standup comic who did not fit so obviously into the alternative comedy scene. Sayle again resumed his compere duties and decided running order, with Richardson having behind the scenes control. Richardson put out an advert for female performers which was answered by French and Saunders.


...
Wikipedia

...