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.
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