Do Not Adjust Your Set

Do Not Adjust Your Set was a classic children's television series produced originally by Associated-Rediffusion, then by the fledgling Thames Television for British commercial television channel ITV from 26 December 1967 to 14 May 1969.

Related Topics:
Television series - Associated-Rediffusion - Thames Television - ITV - 26 December - 1967 - 14 May - 1969

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The show took its name from the message (frequently seen on the TV screen in those days) which was displayed when there was a problem with transmission. Although originally conceived as a children's programme, it quickly acquired a cult crossover following amongst many adults. Indeed quite a lot of material could be considered adultish. In aiming at a family audience it is similar to The Goodies.

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This was an early appearance of many actors and comedians who later became famous: Michael Palin, Terry Jones, David Jason, Denise Coffey, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, and others. The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band performed a song in each programme and Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band also appeared. The musicians frequently appeared as extras in sketches.

Related Topics:
Michael Palin - Terry Jones - David Jason - Denise Coffey - Graham Chapman - Eric Idle - Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band

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The programme comprised a series of sketches, often bizarre and surreal, frequently satirical with a disjointed style which was to become more famous in the subsequent and more daring Monty Python's Flying Circus which followed five months later. At least one DNAYS sketch was re-used in Monty Python. Strange animations between sketches were crafted by the then unknown Terry Gilliam in the final episodes, who also graduated to Python - part of his `Christmas cards' animation reappearing there, in the "Joy to the World" segment.

Related Topics:
Monty Python's Flying Circus - Animation - Terry Gilliam

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One long running feature of the show was Captain Fantastic, featuring a parody superhero (Jason) in improbable, even macabre adventures against villainess Mrs. Black (Coffey). The rather eerie foes bear comparison with those in The Avengers. These segments were shot entirely on film, on location in London.

Related Topics:
Captain Fantastic - Superhero - Villain - The Avengers - London

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In 1968 it won an international award, the Prix Jeunesse, in Munich.

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