After quitting Central's 'Family Fortunes', Bob Monkhouse crossed channels to present this, a celebration of the art of comedy. Over three seasons he introduced some of the best comedians in the world; the first show featured an 80-year old Bob Hope. He handed over a pound note. "That's for those jokes you wrote for me all those years ago!", he quipped. Then he put his hand out. "What do you want?", asked Monkhouse. "Change!", added Hope, slyly. Despite his age, Hope was on good form that night, even singing with Monkhouse ( what else? ) 'Thanks For The Memory!". Other comedians to appear later were Peter Cook, Tommy Cooper ( sadly this turned out to be his penultimate appearance ), Ronnie Barker, Les Dawson and Pamela Stephenson ( she scared Bob by firing live ammo over the heads of the audience ). U.S. comics Victoria Jackson and Sandra Bernhard ( whom Monkhouse apparently didn't get on with ) made their British television debuts, along with a manic young man called...Jim Carrey. Wonder what happened to him?
Review of The Bob Monkhouse Show
