We do not get shows like 'Hi! Summer' anymore, do we? Name me one current programme which opens with its high spirited cast larking about on a brightly coloured bus to the upbeat strains of a Lyndsay De Paul pop tune. Some might think their culling a good thing, but I beg to differ. Like the B.B.C.'s long running 'Seaside Special', 'Hi! Summer' was ( to quote David Harris-Jones from 'Reggie Perrin' ) super. At least programme planners in those days acknowledged the existence of summer. Nowadays they put out the same boring old crap ( depressing dramas about serial killers in Dorset ) as the rest of the year.
The cast, which included Leslie Crowther, Anna Dawson, Pearly Gates, Lena Zavaroni, Derek Griffiths, Derek Waring, and Carl Wayne ( singer of the theme to 'New Faces' ) looked as though they were having the time of their lives, and this was communicated to the audience. Even my Dad, who normally hated anything with a laugh track, warmed to it.
'Hi! Summer' was one of several programmes designed to capture the feel of the good old traditional British holiday. The hot sun, the smell of the sea, the flavour of fish and chips. Many of the jokes could have been penned by Donald McGill. One sketch took place in a restaurant. A waiter brings Crowther's meal over. Lifting the dish, he finds the head of Lena Zavaroni underneath. "I asked for macaroni, not Zavaroni!", he roared. Alright, so its not the world's funniest gag, but so what?. Another sketch sent up 'Charlie's Angels' with Crowther as Farrah Fawcett.
'Hi!' owed a huge debt to 'The Saturday Crowd' which also had Crowther in charge of a team of boisterous comics. The difference was that 'Hi!' moved around the country from week to week, from one popular tourist spot - such as Longleat - to another. If you did not laugh at the gags, you could always admire the view.
'Moody & Pegg' star Derek Waring stood out like a sore thumb mainly because of his total inability to sing. You have not lived until you have heard his gravelly rendition of 'Get Out & Get Under'. The only way he would have sounded on-key was if accompanied by Les Dawson on the piano.
A letter in 'The Sunday People' from a viewer asked if there would be a 'Hi! Winter' later that year. There was not sadly, and 'Hi! Summer' only got one season. De Paul's catchy theme was later re-used on commercials for 'The T.V. Times'. I think it is pity that we no longer get fluff like this. Summer should be fun!
The cast, which included Leslie Crowther, Anna Dawson, Pearly Gates, Lena Zavaroni, Derek Griffiths, Derek Waring, and Carl Wayne ( singer of the theme to 'New Faces' ) looked as though they were having the time of their lives, and this was communicated to the audience. Even my Dad, who normally hated anything with a laugh track, warmed to it.
'Hi! Summer' was one of several programmes designed to capture the feel of the good old traditional British holiday. The hot sun, the smell of the sea, the flavour of fish and chips. Many of the jokes could have been penned by Donald McGill. One sketch took place in a restaurant. A waiter brings Crowther's meal over. Lifting the dish, he finds the head of Lena Zavaroni underneath. "I asked for macaroni, not Zavaroni!", he roared. Alright, so its not the world's funniest gag, but so what?. Another sketch sent up 'Charlie's Angels' with Crowther as Farrah Fawcett.
'Hi!' owed a huge debt to 'The Saturday Crowd' which also had Crowther in charge of a team of boisterous comics. The difference was that 'Hi!' moved around the country from week to week, from one popular tourist spot - such as Longleat - to another. If you did not laugh at the gags, you could always admire the view.
'Moody & Pegg' star Derek Waring stood out like a sore thumb mainly because of his total inability to sing. You have not lived until you have heard his gravelly rendition of 'Get Out & Get Under'. The only way he would have sounded on-key was if accompanied by Les Dawson on the piano.
A letter in 'The Sunday People' from a viewer asked if there would be a 'Hi! Winter' later that year. There was not sadly, and 'Hi! Summer' only got one season. De Paul's catchy theme was later re-used on commercials for 'The T.V. Times'. I think it is pity that we no longer get fluff like this. Summer should be fun!
