Throughout the '70's and '80's, Freddie Starr, who shot to fame after regular appearances on LWT's impressionism show 'Who Do You Do?', was one of the funniest and most popular comedians on British television. His ability to sing as well as deliver outstanding comedy assured the love of millions of fans. However, by the 1990's, viewers interest started to wane. After years of doing stand-up shows and television specials, Freddie fronted a weekly comedy show for Carlton Television in 1993 entitled simply 'Freddie Starr'. Though hilarious, it was only a modest success and lasted for only eight episodes before coming to an end in 1994. Two years later, he decided to try again with another weekly series, this time entitled 'The Freddie Starr Show'. It was clear that time was running out for Freddie, for while the star still delivered his gags with panache, most of the humour was nothing more than tawdry, half hearted innuendo. In fact, much of it looked like rejected material from 'The Benny Hill Show'.
One sketch saw Freddie as Tarzan flying from a branch headlong into another tree knocking him out cold. Another saw him as a doctor, viciously trying to wake up a patient by pushing him, hitting and generally bludgeoning him in order to get him to take his sleeping tablet. Freddie is an amazingly talented comedian but it would not be unjust to say that 'The Freddie Starr Show' did not really do him justice. He was simply getting too long in the tooth to be performing this kind of comedy.
Apart from appearances on game shows and the like, this was indeed Freddie's last regular work for television. Such a mediocre exit for a comedy legend. Sadly, Freddie is unlikely to ever work again due to the decline in his health brought on by sexual accusations made by Karin Ward against him from when he appeared on 'Clunk Click' alongside Jimmy Saville. Pity. After all, good comedy is few and far between these days, as the dire 'Limmy's Show' well and truly proves.
One sketch saw Freddie as Tarzan flying from a branch headlong into another tree knocking him out cold. Another saw him as a doctor, viciously trying to wake up a patient by pushing him, hitting and generally bludgeoning him in order to get him to take his sleeping tablet. Freddie is an amazingly talented comedian but it would not be unjust to say that 'The Freddie Starr Show' did not really do him justice. He was simply getting too long in the tooth to be performing this kind of comedy.
Apart from appearances on game shows and the like, this was indeed Freddie's last regular work for television. Such a mediocre exit for a comedy legend. Sadly, Freddie is unlikely to ever work again due to the decline in his health brought on by sexual accusations made by Karin Ward against him from when he appeared on 'Clunk Click' alongside Jimmy Saville. Pity. After all, good comedy is few and far between these days, as the dire 'Limmy's Show' well and truly proves.
