Benny Hill Annuals - 1980-1989 [DVD]

It would be easy to take the 21st century progressive viewpoint and sanctimoniously go on about how racist, homophobic, ableist, and, most of all, sexist, not to say misogynistic, these shows undoubtedly are – but that would be missing the point. They simply reflected the prejudices of the time and weren’t sanitised like TV is now. Rather, they should be taken at face value. Written by Benny Hill and performed by him and his regular supporting cast, the programmes are mostly made up of a mixture of slapstick, comedy monologues, and sketches. Sadly, they haven’t aged well. There are a few chuckles to be had but mostly it is repetitive and predictable.So why did this offensive, unfunny rubbish run for twenty years, become a worldwide hit, and make the star a multi-millionaire? Because Mr Hill understands what all successful politicians, tabloid editors, and soap opera producers know but will never dare say out loud: most people aren’t that bright, and you can’t go wrong appealing to the lowest common dominator. The only reason that anyone with a triple digit IQ would watch this garbage, if they’re honest, is to ogle the girls - the never-ending parade of attractive young ladies in sexy underwear, bikinis, and tiny uniforms, performing pornographic dance routines, and sometimes even going topless. And what’s wrong with that?

It’s Benny Hill, cheeky saucy comedy before “political correctness” (it did amaze me looking back at some of the dance routines with scantily clad women dancing provocatively - wondering how this was on prime time ITV. What’s even more surprising is I used to watch it as a kid!) It is dated, but there’s some genuinely funny bits in it and he’s very good at wordplay with his funny songs. Take it for what it is.

Updated 14.01.2017I never saw any of this at the time, although I did watch Benny Hill sometimes in the 1970s. I recently bought and watched the 1970s Annuals and loved them, so this was an obvious next move. I have now reached 1989 and the end of a Thames Television era ( with much rewinding and 'watching that bit again'). I was surprised that although the format and improved production reflected changing times, the content is no less funny. If anything, I laughed even more at the 1980s shows. McGee, Wright and Todd in such superb form with Keefe taking a greater role as the years passed. Little Jackie who performed superbly for such an old timer! Henry McGee and Bob Todd deserved awards for being able to keep their faces straight. Having watched 20 years worth, all these people's immense contributions and talents must be applauded.Of course, the ladies were the shows' real visual appeal (after Benny himself). So many great performers. Anna Dawson in the show's later years was the perfect foil, as had been Jenny Lee Wright. And what a versatile actress/dancer Sue Upton was. And to be honest, there is less female flesh on show here than on Strictly Come Dancing. The version of Carmen is an audio/visual treat. Amazing choreography and great singing all crammed into a few minutes!There were so many names, a lot of them seldom credited at the end of the shows. Alison Bell was rather sweet, but every performer, irrespective of age or gender, seems to have been a bonus to the shows. As Benny grew older and larger, he was not afraid to play on this, usually self-mockingly.The introduction of Hill's Little Angels in the later shows took me totally by surprise. They were scene-stealers. The very last shot of the very last 1989 show is the perfect ending to an era, the five of them with Benny immortalised.I appreciate the return of the full-length Yakety-Sax sequences at the end, which seem to have been dropped in the late '70s.This box-set has cheered me up big time. As with the 1970s Annuals, a priceless purchase. £50 for 20 years of uncut Benny Hill? I wish everything I bought gave as much timeless satisfaction.

This set captures Benny at around his creative peak (1977 - 1983) and before he sold out trying to break into the US market. The silent/mime routines are still fresh and have not dated as have many of the vocal routines. Given that many of his routines are still being repeated on some TV channels, although Plod of the PC police have made some crude edits, must say something for one of our greatest comics who did not need bad language to get laughs.

The recent repeats of Allo Allo and Grace Brothers had whetted my appetite for the classic British saucy humour of a bygone age. Conspicuously missing from any re-runs are the Benny Hill shows, I watched these when they were originally transmitted and having now given up all hope of them ever being repeated, I had to splash the cash. I still find these shows hilarious laughing out loud regularly which I seldom do at so much of today’s oh so politically correct tripe. Benny was a unique visual and wordsmith comedy genius now totally and unfairly shunned by the po-faced snowflake killjoys who seem to have taken control of our screens and decide and dictate to us what we are allowed to find funny. The Hill’s Angels dance troupe were stunning and were far sexier than any of the TOTP dance troupes that are still regularly repeated. Back in these sugar and spice and all things nice days, the sight of a bit of bare flesh and camel toe thongs was thrilling and uplifting contrasted with today’s PC agenda espousing a return to Victorian ideals and passion killer advert breaks that constantly bombard us with graphic details of onetime unmentionable downstairs hygiene products.

Never laugh so hard in my life,The little bald man getting his head slapped is still funny, (it the little things that matter)Thank you Benny Hill RIP

Great product, great price. Let's keep the memory alive...

Funny still but alarming that now adays all the scanty clad gals in the episodes were very suggestive and not at all pc as things are today. but we are still seeing in music videos half naked gals so as it really changed? Not for anyone under 16 to watch .