1969

S3.E1 ∙ Show 10

Tue, Nov 23, 1971

Benny starts off with "The Beach at San Tropez," then shows more examples of things that go wrong on television; a 17th century Pilgrim (Bob Todd) in the stocks for thinking wicked thoughts is relentlessly tormented by a fellow townsman (Hill); hijinks on board a cruise ship; a parody of cooking-show hosts Fanny and Johnny Cradock; and Mervyn Cruddy's film career is examined in an interview given to Andree Melly on "The Movie Shakers," which includes the famous "Home Is The Hero" about a returning Confederate veteran. Also: The Ladybirds perform "River Deep, Mountain High."

7 /10

S3.E2 ∙ Show 11

Tue, Dec 21, 1971

Highlights include: Benny leading off with a spirited rendition of "Gypsy Rock"; dialogue director/drama coach Fred Scuttle introducing a new male model, 'Chunky'; a poem devoted to the exploits of the Dimpton Drinking Club; The Ladybirds performing "I Say a Little Prayer"; a parody of "News at Ten" with Hill impersonating co-anchors Reginald Bosanquet and Andrew Gardner; a commoner is kidnapped to impersonate a king to thwart an assassination plot; and more examples from around the world of things that can go wrong on TV.

6.7 /10

S3.E3 ∙ Show 12

Tue, Feb 22, 1972

Benny leads this edition off with "Oh, Zandoona"; Fred Scuttle runs a "Keep Fit" health club, with a film showing some of the exercise routines; Hill reads a poem, "Fam and Fufan" by Folomon Faint Ftephen; French film director Pierre de Tierre discusses his technique, then leads into a sketch about a young man who strikes out with a girl of many moods; musical guest Sylvia McNeill performs "I Don't Know How to Love Him"; Percy Thrower interviews gardener Amos Thripp; more bloopers including a Wild West show where the demonstrations go all wrong and examples of actresses who can't say their lines right; Chow Mein gets into a tangle with customs and immigration agents at an airport; and Benny closes with a series of impersonations of various British entertainers of the day, including Shirley Bassey, Gilbert O'Sullivan and Nana Mouskouri.

6.8 /10

S3.E4 ∙ Show 13

Tue, Mar 21, 1972

Highlights include Benny playing several students at the St. Solomon's School; a trespassing fisherman recites a poem about the fishing life; a hospital patient's 92nd birthday is celebrated with a special musical number, "Down Memory Lane"; another series of bloopers including a "Balmolive" ad and a licentious TV cameraman; Fred Scuttle as head of a proposed fourth TV channel, previewing a "poetry and jazz" recital; Chow Mein and his wife (Zienia Merton) are interviewed; and Benny performing new renditions of old mainstays "Wild Women", "The Harvest of Love", and "Those Days" (with Ladybird Marian Davies).

6.5 /10