The Basil Brush Show (1968)
The beloved BBC puppet comedy series starring the irrepressible, pun-loving fox Basil Brush, a British television institution spanning over a decade.
The Basil Brush Show - Series Information
- Original Title: The Basil Brush Show
- First Air Year: 1968
- Last Air Year: 1980
- Created by: Peter Firmin
- Type: TV Series
- Number of Seasons: 15
- Number of Episodes: 91
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Basil Brush Show - Plot
A British television series starring puppet character Basil Brush. It ran from 1968-1980 on the BBC and featured Rodney Bewes, Derek Fowlds, Roy North, Howard Williams and Billy Boyle. Many episodes from this series are considered lost due to the BBC "junking" or reusing tapes in the 1960s and 70s.
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The Basil Brush Show - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Peter Firmin
Main Cast
- Michael Winsor
- Jennifer Hill
- Len Marten
- Vikki Chambers
- Howard Lang
The Basil Brush Show - FAQs
Who is Basil Brush and what is the show about?
Basil Brush is a wisecracking fox puppet with an aristocratic manner and a fondness for terrible puns, best known for his catchphrase 'Boom Boom!' The BBC series paired him with a rotating cast of human co-stars for a mix of comedy sketches, banter, and light entertainment across 15 series.
Why are so many episodes of The Basil Brush Show lost?
The BBC routinely wiped or reused videotapes during the 1960s and 1970s to cut costs, a practice that destroyed countless hours of programming. Many Basil Brush episodes fell victim to this policy, leaving large gaps in the archive and making surviving recordings particularly precious to fans and historians.
Who were the human co-stars on The Basil Brush Show?
The show featured a succession of human sidekicks over its run, including Rodney Bewes, Derek Fowlds, Roy North, Howard Williams, and Billy Boyle. Each brought a distinct comedic dynamic to their partnership with Basil, and Derek Fowlds in particular became closely associated with the fox's golden era.
When did The Basil Brush Show first air on the BBC?
The series launched on the BBC in 1968 and ran continuously until 1980, spanning 15 series and 91 surviving or recorded episodes. It became one of the corporation's most enduring light entertainment programmes of that era, appealing to both children and adults.
Who created the Basil Brush puppet character?
The Basil Brush puppet was created by Peter Firmin, the acclaimed British artist and puppeteer also known for co-creating Bagpuss and Noggin the Nog. Basil first appeared on television in the early 1960s before landing his own long-running BBC series in 1968.
Is The Basil Brush Show worth watching today?
For fans of classic British light entertainment, absolutely. The show captures a distinctly warm, gentle style of comedy that defined BBC variety in the late 1960s and 1970s. Basil's quick wit and pun-laden exchanges hold up surprisingly well, and surviving episodes offer a charming window into a bygone television era.
How many episodes of The Basil Brush Show survive today?
Of the 91 episodes catalogued across 15 series, a significant number are considered lost due to the BBC's tape-wiping practices. Some series have no surviving episodes at all, while later series from the mid-1970s onward are better preserved, reflecting the BBC's gradual shift away from routine tape destruction.
What shows are similar to The Basil Brush Show?
If you enjoy The Basil Brush Show's blend of puppet comedy and variety entertainment, you might also appreciate Muppets Tonight, The Two Ronnies, Little Britain, and Spitting Image. Each shares that British tradition of sharp wit, character-driven humour, and the kind of anarchic charm that made Basil a household name.
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