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Mel Smith: a life in clips Mel Smith: a life in clips
(2 months later)
The classic image of Mel Smith was head to head in conversation with Griff Rhys Jones, discussing anything from politics to sex, on Alas Smith and Jones.The classic image of Mel Smith was head to head in conversation with Griff Rhys Jones, discussing anything from politics to sex, on Alas Smith and Jones.
Sometimes, in variety show or charity events, either the part of Smith or Jones was played by a celebrity. The show was broadcast from 1984-89 as Alas Smith and Jones and from 1989-98 as Smith and Jones.Sometimes, in variety show or charity events, either the part of Smith or Jones was played by a celebrity. The show was broadcast from 1984-89 as Alas Smith and Jones and from 1989-98 as Smith and Jones.
Here Smith and Rhys Jones discuss the 60s and the Beatles.Here Smith and Rhys Jones discuss the 60s and the Beatles.
In 1986, Smith parodied the monotonous broadcast of the football results, which were an essential and lengthy part of many news broadcasts at the time.In 1986, Smith parodied the monotonous broadcast of the football results, which were an essential and lengthy part of many news broadcasts at the time.
Smith's career was launched alongside that of Jones, Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson and Chris Langham in Not the Nine O'Clock News, which ran from 1979-82. It featured much more down to earth comedy than the fantasy and whimsy of Monty Python's Flying Circus.Smith's career was launched alongside that of Jones, Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson and Chris Langham in Not the Nine O'Clock News, which ran from 1979-82. It featured much more down to earth comedy than the fantasy and whimsy of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
They often used songs to parody a group, such as truck drivers in this clip.They often used songs to parody a group, such as truck drivers in this clip.
Here, they take off darts, the elite competitions of which were often filmed in smoke-filled bars with players returning to their pints of beer between turns.Here, they take off darts, the elite competitions of which were often filmed in smoke-filled bars with players returning to their pints of beer between turns.
Smith later went solo with the sitcom Colin's Sandwich in which he starred as Colin Watkins, a rail clerk who aspired to be a writer of horror stories. Two series ran in 1988 and 1990. Here he gives a speech at a colleague's wedding.Smith later went solo with the sitcom Colin's Sandwich in which he starred as Colin Watkins, a rail clerk who aspired to be a writer of horror stories. Two series ran in 1988 and 1990. Here he gives a speech at a colleague's wedding.
In 1997, Smith recorded Rocking Around the Christmas Tree with Kim Wilde for Comic Relief and it reached No 3 in the charts.In 1997, Smith recorded Rocking Around the Christmas Tree with Kim Wilde for Comic Relief and it reached No 3 in the charts.
In the same year, Smith also directed the film Mr Bean, based on the popular TV comedy series starring Atkinson. In this clip, Bean causes chaos at an airport.In the same year, Smith also directed the film Mr Bean, based on the popular TV comedy series starring Atkinson. In this clip, Bean causes chaos at an airport.
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