“Let’s push the button marked ‘idiot’ and see what comes out…”
Liverpool-born Kenny Everett rose to fame as a radio DJ during the 1960s, known for his zany humour and the crazy characters he created. Later moving into the world of television (he was the voice of Charley in the Charley Says public information films, and the announcer on Celebrity Squares), it was only a matter of time before the opportunity to adapt his radio show for the small screen presented itself. In 1978, Everett’s eccentric cast of characters and trademark insanity – as well as his love of music – were unleashed upon the masses in the form of The Kenny Everett Video Show, which went on to run for four series and included several new year specials.
Originally broadcast in an early evening slot, TKEVS did everything in its power to push the boundaries of what was acceptable. The opening disclaimer that “this show contains naughty bits” enticed viewers with the promise of titillation, at the same time drawing the ire of many a TV critic as well as winding up offended-by-everything bothersome old bag Mary Whitehouse (think of her as a sort of early days internet) on many occasions. Said naughty bits rarely amounted to much – this was prime time TV, after all – but the resulting music video-like segments featuring doped-up dance troupe Hot Gossip (fronted by Arlene Phillips who’s involved with some sort of mindless dancing show on the BBC these days) would usually involve some rather tight outfits and a lot of squatting and stretching which likely got a fair few chaps tugging at their collars at the time.
Each episode features at least one “naughty bit” alongside a whole host of other regular bits. The animated intergalactic adventures of Captain Kremmen seem to get ruder as the weeks go by, as do the sketches performed by Everett that bring his radio characters to life. There’s uncouth ageing punk rocker Sid Snot, Angry of Mayfair complaining about the show’s content, giant-handed preacher Brother Lee Love, and many others from the Monty Python school of comedy. Musical guests prove that pop hasn’t always been a pretty person’s game (faces for radio indeed), and everything is pinned together by irreverent and often completely nonsensical studio links from Everett, complete with unedited mistakes and laughter from the crew behind the scenes.
These musical performances are quite the highlight, featuring many genuinely big names. Plenty of time was devoted to these interludes, with two or three guest spots on each show. Main event names like Thin Lizzy, Kate Bush, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Freddie Mercury and Rod Stewart give their all on some really quite fancy sets, and everything sound fantastic on this box set’s remastered audio. Even the less well-remembered names are worth seeing, as there are some absolute gems hidden throughout these 34 episodes.
Modern day viewers are likely to find that much of the comedy doesn’t quite hold up today, and some of Everett’s most recognisable characters were born elsewhere so there’s no Cupid Stunt here (and there’s certainly no Cleo Rocos parading around the place in her underwear), but nevertheless it’s still an absolutely fascinating show to watch. With over 15 hours worth of material (although sadly no extras whatsoever, which is a little disappointing), there’s a whole lot of Video Show for your money. Anarchic, ridiculous, subversive, and constantly flying in the face of convention (and common decency), TKEVS is one of the most punk rock TV shows ever made. And for that, we give it the fullest of recommendations!
THE KENNY EVERETT VIDEO SHOW / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: DAVID MALLET, ROYSTON MAYOH / WRITERS: KENNY EVERETT, BARRY CRYER, RAY CAMERON / STARRING: KENNY EVERETT / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
