KYTV
Encyclopedia
KYTV is a British television comedy show about a fictional television station that ran on BBC2
from 1989 to 1993, which satirised
satellite television
in the UK at the time.
It was written by Angus Deayton
and Geoffrey Perkins
, produced by Jamie Rix
, directed by John Kilby and John Stroud
, and with music by Philip Pope
. The majority of the program's scripts had already aired on Radio Active.
The five key actors all performed various roles, some multiple, others on a single occasion. Their main characters as presenters were:
The pilot show
was broadcast on 12 May 1989, and a series of 6 programmes began on 3 May 1990. A second series of 6 began on 17 March 1992, and a final 6 episodes were broadcast between 17 September and 22 October 1993, plus an additional Children in Need
special, for a total of 19 episodes.
In 1992 the series won the Silver Rose and the Special Prize of the City of Montreux at the Festival Rose d'Or for the "Good Morning Calais" episode. Also, in the DVD commentary for The Micallef Programme, lead writer and performer Shaun Micallef cites this series as an inspiration for his show's format.
s producing cheap, low quality television in order to exploit viewers.
KYTV was supposedly a low-budget satellite television
station named after its alleged owner Sir Kenneth Yellowhammer, and bore a suspicious similarity to Sky Television
. The name KYTV is actually a joke itself which becomes more apparent when it is pronounced in full, i.e. KY Telly to sound like KY Jelly (a lubricant used for sexual purposes).
In the second series KYTV merged with "BSE
Television", just as Sky merged with BSB
. Curiously enough, the channel's new name was also KYTV: it was decided to take the first two letters of KYTV, the last two of BSETV, and the result was: KYTV. The third series featured parodies of Carlton Television
's early logos.
Each episode featured a central theme (for example, a terrorist siege
, the Channel Tunnel
, or a costume drama
) which sketches could revolve around.
Comedic elements included:
A regular feature was "Mike Flex's Master Quiz", in which contestants typically had to answer one question correctly to win "a château in the Loire". Mike Flex always managed to arrange the questions in such a way that nobody's answer was ever quite right. (Name that Tune: "Beatles, Yellow Submarine!" "Sorry, it was The Beatles, Yellow Submarine. Bad luck.")
There was also an unacknowledged political element; terrestrial television
was in the early stages of competing with companies such as Rupert Murdoch
's British Sky Broadcasting
and BSB, and the series can be read as indirect criticism of satellite programming.
Interestingly, in following years the BBC expanded into the arena of digital television
, and using similar strategies to that lampooned in the programme. In parallel Angus Deayton started out poking fun at comedy game shows, but eventually ended up hosting Have I Got News For You
.
Series 1 was released on DVD in 2006.
Series 2 was released on DVD in 2006.
Series 3, which was due to be released in January 2007 but was pulled, now looks likely never to get released.
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
from 1989 to 1993, which satirised
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
in the UK at the time.
History
The show was effectively the TV version of Radio Active, which spoofed local radio stations, and was developed by the same team.It was written by Angus Deayton
Angus Deayton
Gordon Angus Deayton is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering neighbour Patrick Trench in the comedy series One Foot in the Grave...
and Geoffrey Perkins
Geoffrey Perkins
Geoffrey Howard Perkins was a comedy producer, writer and performer, and an important figure in British comedy broadcasting. This was recognised in December 2008 when he was awarded with an Outstanding Contribution to Comedy Award...
, produced by Jamie Rix
Jamie Rix
- Biography :Jamie Rix is the son of actor and MENCAP President Brian Rix and actress Elspet Gray. He is married to Helen and has two grown-up sons, Ben and Jack. He lives in Tooting, London....
, directed by John Kilby and John Stroud
John Stroud
John Stroud is a retired American basketball player who played four years at the University of Mississippi, before being drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 1980 NBA Draft. However, he played only one season in the NBA, appearing in 9 games total with the Rockets.-References:*...
, and with music by Philip Pope
Philip Pope
Philip R. J. Pope is a British composer and actor. He was educated at Downside School and New College, Oxford.-Performer:He appeared in the Oxford Revue in Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1978 and 1979, both with Angus Deayton...
. The majority of the program's scripts had already aired on Radio Active.
The five key actors all performed various roles, some multiple, others on a single occasion. Their main characters as presenters were:
- Angus DeaytonAngus DeaytonGordon Angus Deayton is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering neighbour Patrick Trench in the comedy series One Foot in the Grave...
as Mike Channel - Helen Atkinson-WoodHelen Atkinson-WoodHelen Atkinson-Wood is an English actress and comedian born in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Cheshire.Atkinson-Wood studied fine art at the Ruskin School, Oxford University, where she performed with Rowan Atkinson...
as Anna Daptor - Michael Fenton StevensMichael Fenton StevensMichael Fenton Stevens , sometimes credited as Michael Fenton-Stevens, is a UK actor and comedian, a founder member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees and the voice behind the Spitting Image 1986 number 1 hit "The Chicken Song"...
as Martin Brown - Geoffrey PerkinsGeoffrey PerkinsGeoffrey Howard Perkins was a comedy producer, writer and performer, and an important figure in British comedy broadcasting. This was recognised in December 2008 when he was awarded with an Outstanding Contribution to Comedy Award...
as Mike Flex - Philip PopePhilip PopePhilip R. J. Pope is a British composer and actor. He was educated at Downside School and New College, Oxford.-Performer:He appeared in the Oxford Revue in Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1978 and 1979, both with Angus Deayton...
simply as The Continuity Announcer (not named)
The pilot show
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
was broadcast on 12 May 1989, and a series of 6 programmes began on 3 May 1990. A second series of 6 began on 17 March 1992, and a final 6 episodes were broadcast between 17 September and 22 October 1993, plus an additional Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
special, for a total of 19 episodes.
In 1992 the series won the Silver Rose and the Special Prize of the City of Montreux at the Festival Rose d'Or for the "Good Morning Calais" episode. Also, in the DVD commentary for The Micallef Programme, lead writer and performer Shaun Micallef cites this series as an inspiration for his show's format.
Format
KYTV combined irreverent sketches and variety elements (such as song and dance routines) with a broad-based satire of the public perception of UK satellite television - that of opportunistic entrepreneurEntrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
s producing cheap, low quality television in order to exploit viewers.
KYTV was supposedly a low-budget satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
station named after its alleged owner Sir Kenneth Yellowhammer, and bore a suspicious similarity to Sky Television
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
. The name KYTV is actually a joke itself which becomes more apparent when it is pronounced in full, i.e. KY Telly to sound like KY Jelly (a lubricant used for sexual purposes).
In the second series KYTV merged with "BSE
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy , commonly known as mad-cow disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. BSE has a long incubation period, about 30 months to 8 years, usually affecting adult cattle at a peak age onset of...
Television", just as Sky merged with BSB
British Satellite Broadcasting
British Satellite Broadcasting was a British television company which provided direct broadcast satellite television services to the United Kingdom...
. Curiously enough, the channel's new name was also KYTV: it was decided to take the first two letters of KYTV, the last two of BSETV, and the result was: KYTV. The third series featured parodies of Carlton Television
Carlton Television
Carlton Television was the ITV franchise holder for London and the surrounding counties including the cities of Solihull and Coventry of the West Midlands, south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire,...
's early logos.
Each episode featured a central theme (for example, a terrorist siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
, the Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
, or a costume drama
Costume drama
A costume drama or period drama is a period piece in which elaborate costumes, sets and properties are featured in order to capture the ambiance of a particular era.The term is usually used in the context of film and television...
) which sketches could revolve around.
Comedic elements included:
- malfunctioning equipment
- rolling news channels with little content or analysis (a similar technique to that later used in Brass EyeBrass EyeBrass Eye is a UK television series of satirical spoof documentaries. A series of six aired on Channel 4 in 1997, and a further episode in 2001....
) - sensationalist and dumbed downDumbing downDumbing down is a pejorative term for a perceived trend to lower the intellectual content of literature, education, news, and other aspects of culture...
shows ("Murder. Gruesome, bloody murder. Coming right up, after the break. Tell your neighbours.") - underpaid, incompetent and amateurish staff
- lavish "showcase sequences" compared to shoddy, makeshift visuals or unfinished sets
- endless repeats of imported or old (and therefore cheap) programmes as an attempt to fill yawning gulfs of airtime
- relentless commercial intrusions, including plugs for shopping channels ("By the way Mike, that's a very smart tie you have on!" "Yes, and it's only £18.99 at Sofa Shop!")
A regular feature was "Mike Flex's Master Quiz", in which contestants typically had to answer one question correctly to win "a château in the Loire". Mike Flex always managed to arrange the questions in such a way that nobody's answer was ever quite right. (Name that Tune: "Beatles, Yellow Submarine!" "Sorry, it was The Beatles, Yellow Submarine. Bad luck.")
There was also an unacknowledged political element; terrestrial television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
was in the early stages of competing with companies such as Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
and BSB, and the series can be read as indirect criticism of satellite programming.
Interestingly, in following years the BBC expanded into the arena of digital television
Digital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
, and using similar strategies to that lampooned in the programme. In parallel Angus Deayton started out poking fun at comedy game shows, but eventually ended up hosting Have I Got News For You
Have I Got News for You
Have I Got News for You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. It is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, and has been broadcast since 1990, currently the BBC's longest-ever running television panel show...
.
Series 1
- 1 - Launch
- 2 - Big Fight SpecialBig Fight SpecialBig Fight Special was an episode from the first series of the BBC Comedy KYTV, originally shown in 1990.This episode concentrated on the KYTV approach to major sporting events, and featured a boxing match. Throughout the show, the bout's theme tune was being played as background music...
- 3 - The Green Green Show
- 4 - Those Fabulous War Years
- 5 - It's a Royal Wedding
- 6 - Challenge Anna
Series 1 was released on DVD in 2006.
Series 2
- 1 - KY Tellython
- 2 - God Alone Knows
- 3 - Good Morning Calais
- 4 - Crisis Special
- 5 - Speak For Yourself
- 6 - Talking HeadTalking headTalking head may refer to:Computers and internet*Computer facial animation, area of computer graphics that animates images of the human head and face*Interactive online charactersFilm and television*Talking Head , 1992 film by Mamoru Oshii...
Series 2 was released on DVD in 2006.
Series 3
- 1 - The Making of David Chizzlenut
- 2 - Those Sexciting Sixties
- 3 - Fly on the WallsFly on the WallsFly on the Walls is an episode of the BBC comedy series KYTV, from Series 3.-About the show:Fly on the Walls is one of the few episodes of KYTV to lack a studio presence for virtually the entire show...
- 4 - 2000 and Whither?
- 5 - Hot Crimes
- 6 - Get Away With You
Series 3, which was due to be released in January 2007 but was pulled, now looks likely never to get released.