G&TV: Stand Up Quickies Posted by Ian Symes on 21st November 2025, 09:41 Ah, G&TV, always a reliable indication that we’ve suddenly realised it’s been ages since our last update. As is so often the case, we are eternally grateful to our good friend Jonsmad for keeping the G&T inbox topped up with archival treats, ready to be raided at a moment’s notice. This one’s a particularly juicy titbit – two episodes from the late 80s/early 90s ITV show Stand Up, both of which feature Hattie Hayridge and Craig Ferguson. Back when this programme started in 1989, whoever was in charge of naming it clearly wasn’t anticipating how difficult it would be to Google in a quarter of a century’s time. But from what we can gather, these episodes hail from that first series, meaning they were filmed up in Manchester not long after Hattie was there to be Hilly, and not long before she was there to be Holly. However, it was only shown regionally on its initial broadcast, whereas these recordings come from a late night national repeat in the summer of 1991. But it has to be said that for such a low budget and low profile production, they had an incredible hit rate for booking future stars. Both episodes also feature Rob Newman, before he transformed from mediocre impressionist to arena-touring superstar, and the Cornish, curmudgeonly face of the playwright Patrick Marber, pre-Peter O’Hanrahahanrahan. The first boasts Win, Lose or Draw host Bob Mills, innovative poet John Hegley and Michael Redmond, best known these days as Father Stone in a sitcom written by Arthur Matthews and nobody else. And the second episode keeps ’em coming, with Bert Tyler-Moore, who went on to become a successful comedy writer, Jim Taveré (with hair, remarkably) from The Sketch Show, and a very young Steve Coogan, who’s probably best known these days for being glimpsed in the background of the Red Dwarf XII DVD extras. Unfortunately neither of these recordings are fully complete (although the first one comes close), which is why you’re having two to make up for it. Also, you might just recognise the actor in the trailer that opens the first video.
I remember huge amounts of the two episodes I managed to record. Steve Coogan being amazed that Brian Glover wasn’t putting on a voice. John Hegley’s poem about a farting dog (which I can still perform on request).
<blockquote> Ah, G&TV, always a reliable indication that we’ve suddenly realised it’s been ages since our last update </blockquote>
Man, between Rob Newman and Steve Coogan, it feels like Melvyn Bragg was the most famous man alive back then.
Good to see this because it makes this comment less random. Literally uploaded a couple of hours ago, here’s Danny in-character as the Cat hosting Babylon 2 on an extremely early edition of DEF II. A mere two months since Series I ended. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mruup7xme14
Good to see this because it makes this comment less random. Literally uploaded a couple of hours ago, here’s Danny in-character as the Cat hosting Babylon 2 on an extremely early edition of DEF II. A mere two months since Series I ended. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mruup7xme14 Babylon Two is a big pile of … Wow! Thanks apple mask
Excuse me, sir, but a gentleman appears to have appeared in the corner of the room. Anyway, I thought it may interest people to know that those Babylon 2 Cat links were written by Rob and Doug themselves. Credited in the paperwork, but not on-screen by the look of things.
John Hoare posting on G&T nowadays is like when Mulder suddenly, briefly shows up in seasons 8 or 9 of The X-Files.
John Hoare posting on G&T nowadays is like when Mulder suddenly, briefly shows up in seasons 8 or 9 of The X-Files. Does that mean G&T is about to end?
Anyway, I thought it may interest people to know that those Babylon 2 Cat links were written by Rob and Doug themselves. This is now officially my Series IX
I can just imagine, Cat being so bored bed on his own that he fakes a TV show that he hosts just to pass the time
Has the Little Mix “Word Up” video that they did for Sports Relief ever been mentioned in these parts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zk0ToEA8sY Features Brittas-by-implication. Worth watching (perhaps with the sound down) for his dance moves. Brother Barrie is portraying Agony.
