That Peter Kay Thing
Encyclopedia
That Peter Kay Thing was a series of six spoof
documentaries
shown on Channel 4
in January 2000. Set in and around Bolton
, these followed the lives of different characters and starred Peter Kay
as the subject of each documentary. All of the episodes displayed Kay's penchant for nostalgic humour and unsympathetic lead characters. The series was narrated by Andrew Sachs
. Many of the plot lines were based around actual events from Kay's life. At least six of the characters appear in the spin-off series Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights
.
. The episode charts a day in the life of troublesome manager Pearl Hardman, miserable teenage employee Matthew Kelly, and the other employees, and the panic that ensues when they discover that Bob Carolgees
may be stopping at the station.
Also featuring: Paul le Roy, Johnny Utah, Alan McClarty.
Also features: Paul Le Roy, Marc Park and Cheryl Avenue.
Also features: Keith Lard
, Rose and Theresa.
s. The subject of the documentary is Mr Softytop, a grumpy ice-cream man who verbally assaults his customers and Darren, his assistant. His attempts to boost sales include inventing the "Millennium Cone", selling at the sites of road traffic accidents and renting or vending pornography. Films include: Shaving Private Ryan, Forrest Dump, Beverly Hills Cock, Look Who's Porkin and the Phantom Penis. To make matters worse he has to compete with a new competitor: Signór Wippy. The second half of the episode is set in at Leverhulme park
's Bolton Show, where Mr Softytop runs out of ice cream and has a mild psychotic episode. This results in the final triumph of Signór Wippy although he is later exposed as an Illegal immigrant. Mr Softytop leaves the ice-cream business and goes on to open a sex shop called Softy's Hard Stuff (at the time of filming a real sex shop
in Bolton was, and still is, called Softy's Hard Stuff).
Also features: Leonard, Paul le Roy, Alan McClarty.
, this episode follows the staff and customers preparing for a Super Sounds of the Seventies Night. Matthew Kelly is employed as a steward, a job he is thoroughly useless at and only applied for in order to see concerts for free, and receives much stick from Chris and Sean from Live Sec. Kelly is annoyed when, instead of stewarding the concert, he is left in charge of the car park.
Also featuring: Duncan Beach, Craig Utah.
!" and Carl who waves at cars. Catherine Tate
stars as Valerie the community leader. The episode is more melancholy than the others, as Leonard is one of the few truly likable characters, but he leads a tragic life. His aunt claims he was over-protected by his mother, and, as much as he is likes to be everybody's friend, he has no real friends of his own. This does not quash Leonard's spirit and he remains upbeat throughout.
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
documentaries
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
shown on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in January 2000. Set in and around Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
, these followed the lives of different characters and starred Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
as the subject of each documentary. All of the episodes displayed Kay's penchant for nostalgic humour and unsympathetic lead characters. The series was narrated by Andrew Sachs
Andrew Sachs
Andrew Sachs is a German-born British actor. He made his name on British television and is best known for his portrayals of Manuel in Fawlty Towers, a role for which he was BAFTA-nominated, and Ramsay Clegg in Coronation Street.-Early life:Sachs was born in Berlin, Germany, the son of Katharina , a...
. Many of the plot lines were based around actual events from Kay's life. At least six of the characters appear in the spin-off series Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights
Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights
Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights was a BAFTA-nominated English sitcom about The Phoenix Club, a working men's club in the northern English town of Farnworth, Greater Manchester. The show was written by Neil Fitzmaurice, Peter Kay and Dave Spikey, produced by Goodnight Vienna Productions and Ovation...
.
Notable Characters
- Brian PotterBrian PotterBrian Chelsea Potter, one of many fictional characters played by Peter Kay, is the owner of The Phoenix Club in both That Peter Kay Thing and Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights...
(Kay) - Social Secretary of working men's clubWorking men's clubWorking men's clubs are a type of private social club founded in the 19th century in industrial areas of the United Kingdom, particularly the North of England, the Midlands and many parts of the South Wales Valleys, to provide recreation and education for working class men and their families.-...
"The Neptune". He lost the use of his legs when his former club flooded and, in trying to rescue the night's takings, was trapped behind the fruit machineSlot machineA slot machine , informally fruit machine , the slots , poker machine or "pokies" or simply slot is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed...
and was left in a coma. He is notoriously tight fisted. It is suggested that he can actually walk, as at the end of the episode he is seen to stand whilst remonstrating with a group of Firemen. The idea that he was not really disabled was carried on in episode four of the first series of Phoenix Nights when he finds out that Beverly (the woman he was seeing) was secretly investigating him for fraudulent disability claims. - Max and PaddyMax and PaddyMaxwell "Max" Bygraves and Patrick "Paddy" O'Shea are fictional nightclub bouncers created by comedian Peter Kay and performed by Kay and fellow comedian Patrick "Paddy" McGuinness....
(Kay and Patrick McGuinnessPatrick McGuinnessPatrick Joseph "Paddy" McGuinness is an English stand-up comedian, comedy actor, television personality and presenter. Born in Farnworth, Bolton, he is best known for his performances alongside comedian Peter Kay, and as the host of dating programme Take Me Out.-Early life:He attended Mount St....
) - Two incompetent bouncersBouncer (doorman)A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
at the Neptune Club. - Jerry St. Clair (Dave SpikeyDave SpikeyDave Spikey is an English comedian, actor, writer and film producer, currently residing in Chorley, Lancashire....
) - Part time builder and compère at the Neptune Club. He won Talent Trek in 1992. His act consists of dubious singing and poor jokes. - Les AlanosLes and AlanLes Campbell and Alan Dalton are two of many characters from the comic world of Peter Kay.Les and Alan are another double act from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, with small appearances in both That Peter Kay Thing and Max and Paddy's Road To Nowhere.Les is played by BBC Radio Sheffield DJ and...
- The Neptune's house band, Les (Toby FosterToby FosterToby Foster British comedian, actor, radio presenter, promoter and festival producer.He went to the Barnburgh Junior School, followed by Lacewood Primary School, Dearneside Comprehensive and Wath Comprehensive in Rotherham...
) and Alan (Mark JacksonMark JacksonMark Jackson may refer to:* Mark "Jacko" Jackson , Australian rules footballer and actor* Mark Jackson, HarperCollins attorney associated with Judith Regan's firing and subsequent receipt of an apology and legal settlement...
). Les originally worked with Alan's father before he left to form the tribute band Right Said Frank. Les claims that "Les Alanos" only sounds Spanish, but that it is in fact their names cunningly disguised "Les, Alan, Us!". In the later series Phoenix Nights, Jackson was replaced by Steve EdgeSteve EdgeSteve Edge is an English actor, writer and former stand-up comedian. He is most famous for his work on Phoenix Nights, The Cup, The Visit, Peep Show and the satirical magazine show Star Stories....
as Alan. - Paul le RoyPaul LeRoyPaul LeRoy is one of many characters from Peter Kay's world of comedy. He is a passionate 1980s music fan and fictional Radio DJ for a fictional Radio station called Chorley FM...
, often mis-pronounced Leroy (Kay) - A local disc jockeyDisc jockeyA disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
for the radio stationRadio stationRadio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
Chorley FMChorley FMChorley FM is a radio station based in Chorley, Lancashire, England. The station was created by volunteers back in 2001 to broadcast a special two week licence in conjunction with the Midsummer Festival which was located on Botany Bay near the M61.-History:...
. He is obsessed with the music of the 1980s. He sports a mulletMullet (haircut)The mullet is a hairstyle that is short at the front and sides, and long in the back. . The mullet began to appear in popular media in the 1960s and 1970s but did not become generally well-known until the early 1980s...
and has a long-suffering wife. - Keith LardKeith LardKeith Winston Lard, is a fictional fire safety officer from Bolton, played by Peter Kay. Lard has appeared in two of Peter Kay's television comedies on Channel 4, That Peter Kay Thing and in the first series of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights.-The character:Keith Lard is portrayed as an overzealous...
(Kay) - An overly zealous local fire safety inspector who, it is alleged, interferes with dogs. - Patrick O'Neil (Kay) - A cheeky employee at the Apollo Bingo Hall, who along with his friend "Sparky" (Alex Lowe) (so called because he was struck by lightning), causes havoc in the Apollo. Kay had actually worked in a Bolton bingo hall and admits that of the Patrick O'Neil is the only character in the series actually based on him.
- Tom DaleTom DaleFor the American Mayor with the same name see Nampa, IdahoTom Dale is a fictional bingo caller created and played by Peter Kay. He appears in the 'Eyes Down' episode of That Peter Kay Thing....
(Kay) - A LiverpudlianLiverpoolLiverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
bingo caller known for his bizarre pre-show preparations and his catchphrase "Let's tickle those balls". He is based on Roy Diamond, a bingo caller Peter worked with. - Rose and Theresa (Kay and Beatrice Kelley) - Two middle aged bingo fans who assume anyone who wins is sleeping with caller Tom Dale. Theresa believes bingo has it all: "Drama, glamour, tension, chips, fish, peas and a drink for £2.49".
- Mr. Softy Top, aka Robert Edge (Kay) - a third generation ice-cream man, who hates children. He resembles a blonde ElvisElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and, to make up for his dwindling sales, he keeps the raspberry sauce chained to the counter and rents pornographic videos from his van. He has a very short temper and he opts to leave the ice cream trade after one final tantrum, focusing on his videos. - Signor Whippy (Kay, although his face is never seen) An illegal immigrant from Barnsley and is threatened to have his nose bitten off by Mr. Softy Top if he ever sells ice cream on his patch again. To Softy Top's anger, Whippy regularly wins the war for customers but is later arrested by police and deported.
- Darren Bramwell (Kristian Tiffany) - A college student who works for Mr. Softy Top on weekends. He is slightly slow, but seems more down-to-earth than Softy. After Softy quits the ice cream trade, Darren takes over his van.
- Matthew Kelly (Kay) - An aspiring IrishIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
actor who is unhappily stuck in several part-time jobs, notably as a cleaner in The Services and a steward in The Arena. In 'The Arena' he accidentally gets the name badge 'Mohammed' from Chris and cannot change it as he is 'no Emmanuel'. He has starred as Mr Bumble in 'Oliver TwistOliver TwistOliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
', a pimp in Band of Gold (TV series)Band of Gold (TV series)Band of Gold is a television drama series written by Kay Mellor and produced by Granada Television. It wasoriginally shown on ITV between 1995 and 1997...
and a burns victim in 'Casualty'. Matthew is often confused with the TV personality Matthew KellyMatthew KellyMatthew Kelly is an English television presenter and Olivier-award winning actor. Having been trained as a theatre actor, he first came to public prominence as a television presenter of ITV light entertainment shows such as You Bet! and Stars in Their Eyes...
. His lack of interest in his day jobs often gets him into trouble with his employers. - Johnny Utah, aka Craig (Kay) - A surly Wild WestAmerican Old WestThe American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
obsessive, who works as a coach driver. He dislikes the passengers and is not afraid to leave them behind. Edina mistakenly calls him 'Memphis'. He worries that someone might damage his "Trigger Finger". He was arrested for speeding and carrying a replica revolver in the episode "The Arena". - Duncan Beach (Daniel KitsonDaniel KitsonDaniel Kitson is an English stand-up comedian.-Career:Born to a lecturer father and primary school head teacher mother, Kitson began performing comedy at the age of 16. He was a pupil at Scissett Middle School and Shelley College in Yorkshire, England...
) - A St. John AmbulanceSt. John AmbulanceSt John Ambulance, branded as St John in some territories, is a common name used by a number of affiliated organisations in different countries dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance services, all of which derive their origins from the St John...
volunteer who is devoted to his job, but treated with contempt by those he treats. Without his job, he would be stuck at home with his mum and "her fella". His hardest job was when the PopePopeThe Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
visited Heaton ParkHeaton ParkHeaton Park, covering an area variously reported as , 247 hectares, , over and is the biggest park in Greater Manchester, England and one of the biggest municipal parks in Europe. The park comprises the grounds of a Grade I listed, neoclassical 18th century country house, Heaton Hall...
. He was forced to question his faith in God, as he felt he could have made it a bit cooler and provided better seating arrangements. - Chris Choi (Neil FitzmauriceNeil FitzmauriceNeil Fitzmaurice is an English actor, comedian and writer.-Writing:Fitzmaurice's writing projects include That Peter Kay Thing, for which he received a British Comedy Award, and the critically acclaimed Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, in which he also appeared as "Ray-Von".Neil has also written two...
) - One half of the Security Group Live Sec. The former prison worker claims to have seen CherCherCher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
's backside. They have worked with Madonna, U2 and Cast. - Shaun Ballen (Peter KayPeter KayPeter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
) - The other half of the security group Live Sec. He was a boxer in his younger days and boxed at flyweightFlyweightFlyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
. They know their presentation so well that often they end up talking over the top of each other. Teaching the "Magic Thumb trick" is one of the highlights of their routine. - Leonard de Tomkinson (Kay) - An elderly, kindly local eccentric. Due to angina he is unable to work, but has a paper round and is, therefore, Britain's oldest paperboyPaperboyA paperboy is the general name for a person employed by a newspaper, They are often used around the office to run low end errands. They make copies and distribute them. Paperboys traditionally were and are still often portrayed on television and movies as preteen boys, often on a bicycle...
. He lived with his mother until her death and is very religious, feeling uncomfortable at hearing mild swearing. Every day he carries a crucifix into the town centre and preaches the word of God. He is well liked but, it is suggested, has no real friends - though he does write to an American on death row. Leonard will go out of his way to help others but his over-friendly nature and rather awkward sense of humour are not appreciated by everyone. He is based on a real man (also called Leonard) who used to visit the EssoEssoEsso is an international trade name for ExxonMobil and its related companies. Pronounced , it is derived from the initials of the pre-1911 Standard Oil, and as such became the focus of much litigation and regulatory restriction in the United States. In 1972, it was largely replaced in the U.S. by...
petrol stationFilling stationA filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
in his Reliant RobinReliant Robinthumb|right|250px|1975 Greek advertisement for Mebea Robin The Reliant Robin is a small three wheeled car formerly manufactured by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England...
where Kay worked. The real Leonard would often tell Kay about all the friends he had, yet, when he died in 1991, Kay was upset by the lack of people at his funeral. - Marc Park (Kay) - An aspiring pop star, and former greengrocerGreengrocerA greengrocer or fruiterer is a retail trader in fruit and vegetables; that is, in green groceries. Greengrocer is primarily a British and Australian term, and greengrocers' shops were once common in suburbs, towns and villages...
, who looks like Mick HucknallMick HucknallMichael "Mick" Hucknall is a British singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the British band Simply Red, and is recognisable for his smooth, distinctive voice and wide vocal range, as well as his red curly hair.-Early life:...
. He has a dog called Lady. In the first episode he was a member of Park Avenue with Cheryl Avenue (billed as both Claire and Clare Rhodes), and won Talent Trek at the Neptune Club, but he then controversially went solo. The final episode, Lonely at the Top, charts his fall from fame, as Cheryl rises to the top instead. He also appears to have had a nose job. - Pearl Hardman (Kay) - A would-be career woman who manages a Bolton service stationMotorway service areaIn the UK motorway service areas, also known as service stations, are places where drivers can leave a motorway to refuel, rest, or take refreshments. The vast majority of motorway services in the UK are owned by one of three companies: Moto, Welcome Break and RoadChef. Extra are also developing a...
. She is one of Kay's "Nosey bitches" and lords her power over the uninterested teenagers she employs. - Alan McClarty (Kay) - A Scottish mechanic who has worked for the RACRAC plcRAC Limited is a breakdown company in the United Kingdom supplying products and services for motorists. Initially formed as the "Associate Section" of the Royal Automobile Club, it was incorporated as R.A.C. Motoring Services Ltd. in 1978. It was then sold by the members of the Royal Automobile...
before his wife left him and he had a nervous breakdown. He now runs his own breakdown company, "ARC". He is still an unstable character.
Running Themes
- Steve EdgeSteve EdgeSteve Edge is an English actor, writer and former stand-up comedian. He is most famous for his work on Phoenix Nights, The Cup, The Visit, Peep Show and the satirical magazine show Star Stories....
appears in several of the episodes as Alan, a character on the edge of the series which captures moments of his life. He rarely has more than one line an episode. Kay has commented that he felt the joke didn't really work, as the appearances were too low key to be noticed by viewers over several weeks. Edge appeared in Phoenix Nights as a character also called Alan. - Every episode passes with at least a passing reference to Bob CarolgeesBob CarolgeesBob Carolgees is a comedy entertainer who appeared on the Saturday morning TV series Tiswas and then later in its adult versions O.T.T. and Saturday Stayback. He is best-known for appearing with a puppet named Spit the Dog.-Career:In the early 1970s Carolgees ran a DJ and modelling school at 11A...
. Carolgees actually appeared in the episode "Leonard" giving Leonard his award. - Every episode makes reference to a young girl who has been in a coma since HalloweenHalloweenHallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
. - Characters refer to the SoleroSoleroSolero is an ice cream brand, part of the Walls range, owned by Unilever. In different countries, like Iran, it is also known by the name Salar. First launched in 1994, it is an ice cream covered with a fruit puree...
ice lolly in most episodes.
The Services (Pilot Episode)
Set in a service station just outside Bolton, made for Channel Four's Comedy LabComedy Lab
Comedy Lab is a British television series which showcases pilots of experimental comedy shows. Series have been aired irregularly on Channel 4 and E4 since 1998....
. The episode charts a day in the life of troublesome manager Pearl Hardman, miserable teenage employee Matthew Kelly, and the other employees, and the panic that ensues when they discover that Bob Carolgees
Bob Carolgees
Bob Carolgees is a comedy entertainer who appeared on the Saturday morning TV series Tiswas and then later in its adult versions O.T.T. and Saturday Stayback. He is best-known for appearing with a puppet named Spit the Dog.-Career:In the early 1970s Carolgees ran a DJ and modelling school at 11A...
may be stopping at the station.
Also featuring: Paul le Roy, Johnny Utah, Alan McClarty.
In the Club
Set in the Neptune Club - a working men's establishment. It follows the grand final of the annual "Talent Trek 99" competition. The first episode is notable as it was the basis for Kay's next project Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights. It features many of the characters who were to go on to be a part of the series - Brian Potter, Jerry St. Clair, bouncers Max and Paddy and house band Les Alanos. The episode ends with the club burning down, setting the scene for Potter to rebuild and open the Phoenix Club.Also features: Paul Le Roy, Marc Park and Cheryl Avenue.
Eyes Down
Set in the Apollo Bingo Hall, the episode charts a day in the life of the customers and employees, including Patrick O'Neil - a rebellious teenage employee who would rather not be there, his friends Yvonne and Sparky, Tom Dale - a self-obsessed bingo caller, Ron Hibbert - the owner (who is afraid of Tom) and the various old women who inhabit the club.Also features: Keith Lard
Keith Lard
Keith Winston Lard, is a fictional fire safety officer from Bolton, played by Peter Kay. Lard has appeared in two of Peter Kay's television comedies on Channel 4, That Peter Kay Thing and in the first series of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights.-The character:Keith Lard is portrayed as an overzealous...
, Rose and Theresa.
The Ice Cream Man Cometh
This episode revolved around the fading popularity of local ice cream vanIce cream van
An ice cream van or ice cream truck is a commercial vehicle which serves as a travelling retail outlet for ice cream, usually during the summer. Ice cream vans are often seen parked at public events, or near parks, beaches, or other areas where people congregate...
s. The subject of the documentary is Mr Softytop, a grumpy ice-cream man who verbally assaults his customers and Darren, his assistant. His attempts to boost sales include inventing the "Millennium Cone", selling at the sites of road traffic accidents and renting or vending pornography. Films include: Shaving Private Ryan, Forrest Dump, Beverly Hills Cock, Look Who's Porkin and the Phantom Penis. To make matters worse he has to compete with a new competitor: Signór Wippy. The second half of the episode is set in at Leverhulme park
Leverhulme Park
Leverhulme Park is the largest park in the town of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It was donated to the people of Bolton by, and named after, the late Lord Leverhulme. The park is bounded by the Breightmet, Darcy Lever, the Haulgh, and Tonge Fold. Since its earlier days as simply a park, Leverhulme...
's Bolton Show, where Mr Softytop runs out of ice cream and has a mild psychotic episode. This results in the final triumph of Signór Wippy although he is later exposed as an Illegal immigrant. Mr Softytop leaves the ice-cream business and goes on to open a sex shop called Softy's Hard Stuff (at the time of filming a real sex shop
Sex shop
A sex shop, erotic shop is a shop that sells products related to adult sexual or erotic entertainment, such as sex toys, lingerie, clothing, pornography, and other related products...
in Bolton was, and still is, called Softy's Hard Stuff).
Also features: Leonard, Paul le Roy, Alan McClarty.
The Arena
Set in the Manchester Evening News ArenaManchester Evening News Arena
The Manchester Evening News Arena is an indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is adjacent to Manchester Victoria station near Corporation Street...
, this episode follows the staff and customers preparing for a Super Sounds of the Seventies Night. Matthew Kelly is employed as a steward, a job he is thoroughly useless at and only applied for in order to see concerts for free, and receives much stick from Chris and Sean from Live Sec. Kelly is annoyed when, instead of stewarding the concert, he is left in charge of the car park.
Also featuring: Duncan Beach, Craig Utah.
Leonard
The episode follows lovable local eccentric Leonard in the run-up to him receiving an award for being Britain's oldest paper boy. Leonard introduces the other local eccentrics including The Duke, played by Steve Davies who later played 'Darius' in Phoenix Nights Series 1, who walks around Bolton drawing his fingers from his pockets as if they were guns and shouting "John WayneJohn Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
!" and Carl who waves at cars. Catherine Tate
Catherine Tate
Catherine Tate is an English actress, writer, and comedian. She has won numerous awards for her work on the sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show as well as being nominated for an International Emmy Award and four BAFTA Awards...
stars as Valerie the community leader. The episode is more melancholy than the others, as Leonard is one of the few truly likable characters, but he leads a tragic life. His aunt claims he was over-protected by his mother, and, as much as he is likes to be everybody's friend, he has no real friends of his own. This does not quash Leonard's spirit and he remains upbeat throughout.