'I think we're halfway between a Carry On film and a Joe Orton play,' Robbie Coltrane told Radio Times in 1990.  While many thousands of words have been written about the Comic Strip Presents TV films - mostly in praise but some vitriolic in their scorn - it is likely that no better description exists of these unique contributions to British TV.

 

All 37 films are distinct productions, self-contained from the others, their dialogue stuffed with dangerous lines.  All the programmes contain some wonderfully funny dialogue, creative ideas and perhaps the most astute film pastiches ever attempted on TV.

 

Financed by theatrical impresario Michael White, the eight-strong core team comprised Alexei Sayle, Arnold Brown and three double-acts: Mayall and Edmondson, Planer and Richardson and French and Saunders. 

 

The first film, the fabulous Enid Blyton parody Five Go Mad in Dorset, went out on the opening night of Channel 4, and four of the other films were screened soon after.  This opening batch contained all the hallmarks of the Comic Strip Presents productions that would remain true to the end: they were high on production values, pacy and stylish.  The humour, too, was spot on.  These young comedians steered clear of the traditional areas of racism, sexism and religion to concentrate on more general, social and political themes.