5 enter the world of Kenny Everett

Best on the Box for Easter Sunday, April 20th…

There’s no Cuddly Ken on telly for ages and now we have the second retrospective of Kenny Everett this month following BBC Four’s evening marking 30 years since the DJ, comedian, actor and TV presenter’s death.

Now it’s the turn of 5 who look at the life and work of Kenny who presented Top of the Pops, broadcast on the wireless including Radio 1, Capital Radio and several local Beeb stations. It was Kenny who made ‘Aunty Beeb’ a popular term for the Beeb and also reviving the term ‘wireless’ years after it had faded out of fashion. Kenny could bring things back into fashion, as well as make new releases chart hits, well most of the time.

In the late 1960s he joined London Weekend Television for his first slapstick series, later returning to ITV with Thames Television in the late 70s for more comedy before switching to BBC One in the early 80s.

Everett was never afraid to tell the world what he really thought which led to his career being chequered with controversy. In 1970 he was fired from his job at the BBC for making an accusatory comment about a government minister’s wife and received backlash for his apparent support of Margaret Thatcher and the conservative party – although he always said he’d have done the same for Labour, but they never asked.

Tonight The Cancellation of Kenny Everett programme follows the life and laughter of Kenny Everett; a pioneering comedian, unafraid to venture into rebellious or controversial subject matter.

Speaking to those who knew him throughout his career, we explore his struggle with his own identity. Kenny was never afraid to ruffle feathers, though many praised him for his candour and unfiltered attitudes. We hear from both sides, hearing from those offended by some of his comedy as well as those who loved him.

In the 1990s Kenny continued to broadcast almost right up to the end of his life in 1995, he also continued to appear on television on programmes such as Children In Need and That’s Showbusiness. In the 90s he also was one of the cast members of Mike Batt’s Hunting of the Snark musical where he performed ‘The Snooker Song’ (Which was also the theme tune to Big Break.)

So one might ask, where was he cancelled from? However, that’s just a minor niggle of the attention grabbing title. Following the documentary 5 air an episode of The Kenny Everett Video Cassette, from his ITV/Thames series.

The Cancellation of Kenny Everett, 5, tonight at 9 pm