VHS : Harry Enfield And Chums [1994]

Rating: - Funny but this is the beginning of the end...
After 2 classic series for the BBC (Harry Enfield's Television Programme), this third series (which is basically the same show but with a new title and some new characters) is where Harry's comedy genius began to dip and, in my opinion, began to get a bit desperate.
The old characters are as funny as ever: Tim Nice-But-Dim, the Old Gits, the Slobs, the Scousers (with someone else playing Joe McGann's role) and Kevin becomes that infamous teenager... (Remember the original kid "Kevin" who was the total opposite of his teenaged version?). Kathy Burke is brilliant as Perry (but everybody knows that, I guess). Also: Lee & Lance are a major improvement in this series - a lot funnier than in the second series.
Some of the new characters are a bit dodgy:
The Randy Old Ladies are fairly funny but mainly just irritating and an obvious attempt just to get the nation saying a new catchphrase: The phrase "Young man!" is said a million times per sketch and is barely funny the first time you hear it. Most sketches with Kathy Burke are class but this isn't one of them.

The Self-Righteous Brothers are funny but they'd be more funnier if they didn't have to resort to their catchphrase all the while. Example: "OI! ENFIELD! NO!" But, overall, they are great characters though I wouldn't say they were Harry & Paul's finest.

Michael Paine: A bit funny but is mainly filler material. Would probably fit in more on the Fast Show (which followed a year later). (But, if you really want "funny" Michael Caine, watch Stella Street instead!)

Mr Cholmondley-Warner: An acquired taste but its' surprise staying power in the show (probably to do with the advertisements) is welcome, if rarely hilarious (not including that sketch from series 2 with the past & present football teams playing each other - which is a classic!).

Finally, there's a character called "Naive Man". Now, this character is not only unfunny but offensive - even to someone like me who usually likes "darker" comedy material (Brasseye, Monty Python, League of Gentlemen, etc). The character seems to be a mentally ill, homeless man who doesn't really understand what's going on around him. To add insult, there is a large amount of laughter throughout the sketches which, I can only guess, was added later on as I seriously believe any studio audience watching wouldn't have found it so hilariously funny at all. I remember there were a few complaints at the time and I noticed that the character wasn't shown in repeated episodes. How anyone of Harry's intelligence can play a "character" like this and think it's funny is really unbelievable. Why he appears on this "best of" is the biggest mystery.

Other stuff: "Terminator 3 - a Merchant Ivory production" is brilliant - a work of genius. Whoever thought that idea up gets top marks. Wayne & Waynetta in "The Ten Year Itch" is a funny satire which is right on the mark & a sad-but-true portrayal of surburban England: Women who want to have "brown babies" like the rest on the estate and be "single-parents"... (Very true in the area where I come from.)
"Benny Elton" starring Ben Elton himself as the anti-Benny Hill seems funny at first but goes on too long and soon makes you realise what a ******** he really is. I mean, this is the most hypocritical and self-important man working in comedy, surely?

The worst thing about all the shows after the second series is that there was no more "Smashie & Nicey" which were Harry & Paul's greatest ever comedy creations. I don't know why they gave them up. Also: There's no more of that forgetfull landlord character (Leslie, I think his name was) who was always saying "Maureen, love, getting a bit busy!" I liked that character but I guess they got enough mileage out of him.

As the 90's progressed, Harry's shows became more miss than hit and Paul Whitehouse went on to better things with the Fast Show.

Anyway, that's my review. If they put it on Amazon I'd be very surprised but if they do then thankyou for reading...

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Rating: - HARRY ENFIELD IS A COMEDY GENIUS!!!
What a fantastic piece of future comedy history! Mr Enfield is a genius in his own right. From the hilarious 'Ten-Year Itch' to the bound-to-go-down-as-a-comedy-classic 'Four Funerals and a Wedding', and a little help from his 2 counterparts Paul Whitehouse an Kathy Burke this vid is a must-have for anyone who loved 'Kevin and Perry go Large'. The funnniest vid I have seen in ages! If you only seen one vid ever, make it this one, for your own sakes. If you don't, you're missing our bigstyle!