Sez Les is a British sketch comedy show that starred Les Dawson. It was produced by Yorkshire Television, and aired on ITV from 1969 to 1976.Lewisohn, Mark (2003). Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy, BBC Worldwide Publications. Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough (who was a cast member from series four onward) regularly performed together as the characters Cissie and Ada. John Cleese appeared in a few sketches in series 3 and appeared regularly in series 8 and 9. Other cast members included Norman Chappell, Brian Glover, Brian Murphy, and Kathy Staff. Music for series 1-5 and 7-8 was provided by Syd Lawrence and his orchestra.
Cast Cast member Series 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Les Dawson Brian Murphy Roy Barraclough Brian Glover John Cleese Norman Chappell Kathy Staff
Broadcast history According to BarfeBarfe, Louis (2012). Les Dawson at Yorkshire Television - 1969-1977, booklet included with Sez Les DVD Volume 4, Network. and IMDb,IMDb. "Sez Les". Retrieved on 12 April 2020. the broadcast episodes were as follows:
Series 1: 6×30 min, 30 April – 18 June 1969 Series 2: 6×30 min, 10 September – 19 November 1969 Series 3: 4×30 min, 16 August – 6 September 1971 Series 4: 6×30 min, 13 January – 17 February 1972 Series 5: 7×45 min, 29 July – 9 September 1972 Series 6: 6×30 min, 30 October – 4 December 1972 Series 7: 7×30 min, 28 July – 8 September 1973 Series 8: 7×30 min, 25 January – 8 March 1974 Series 9: 7×30 min, 28 June – 9 August 1974 Series 10: 4×60 min, 2 January, 25 February – 10 March 1976 Series 11: 7×30 min, 19 October – 30 November 1976
All of series 1 and episodes 1–5 of series 2 were made in black and white. All others were made in colour. Timings are given including advertising breaks: the actual running times are several minutes shorter.
Most episodes followed a 'variety' format, including musical and dance numbers with various musical guests. An exception is Series 6, which although treated by IMDb and video label Network as part of the series, bears a different title, Les Sez and consists only of comic sketches and standup. Series 11 also lacks musical and dance items.
Most episodes were directed by David Mallet, later a prominent director of music videos. The exceptions were Series 6, directed by Bill Hitchcock, and Series 10–11, directed by Vernon Lawrence.
A Christmas special aired in 1973, and a New Year special in 1976.
All episodes of series one and two are missing, and are believed to have been wiped. The remaining episodes survive in the archive and have been released on DVD by Network.
Video releases Sez Les, Volume 1 (October 2008), series three and four Sez Les, Volume 2 (25 May 2009), series five and six Sez Les, Volume 3 (8 February 2010), series seven and eight, plus the 1973 Christmas special Sez Les, Volume 4 (7 May 2012), series nine, ten, and eleven, plus the 1976 New Year special
References
External links Sez Les at the BFI Film & TV Database