All Gas And Gaiters
1 9 6 6 (UK)
1 9 6 7 - 1 9 7 1 (UK)
33 x 30 minute episodes
1 x short special
 Another intelligent sitcom
from the BBC, All Gas And Gaiters starred Derek Nimmo as the
bumbling, inept but well-meaning chaplain Mervyn Noote of St Oggs,
a 13th Century cathedral.
Reverend Noote never used one
word when ten would do, and his misadventures were usually aided
and abetted by the Archdeacon (Robertson Hare) and the Bishop
(William Mervyn).
The trio were in constant battle with the church
authorities, especially the Dean (played in turn by John Barron
and Ernest Clark).
All Gas And Gaiters was one of many
shows to spring from the BBC's Comedy Playhouse initiative, which
gave new writers a peak-time slot in which to try out new ideas.
Beginning life under the title The Bishop Rides Again, All Gas
& Gaiters proved particularly durable, with 33 half-hours from
husband and wife writing team Devaney and Apps.
 Handsomely
served by a fine cast, the show elevated Derek Nimmo to the top
rank of British comic character actors, at the same time giving
him a religious connection in the public's mind that he
cheerfully explored for many years.
During the run of All
Gas And Gaiters, Nimmo moonlighted as novice monk Brother Dominic
in Oh Brother! and the two shows combined for a segment of the
BBC's 1968 Christmas Night With The Stars.
A radio
version of All Gas And Gaiters aired for 33 episodes (January
1971 - December 1972 on BBC Radio 4) featuring the main TV cast but
with Derek Nimmo leaving after the first series of 13 to be
replaced by Jonathan Cecil.
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