Dead Ringers
Which twisted minds developed Dead Ringers – and why was it crucial to pit Simon Schama and David Starkey against each other in a brutal conflict?
They've re-imagined Prince Philip as Darth Vadar, portrayed jazz musician Jamie Cullum as Gollum from Lord of the Rings, and revealed Patrick Moore to be a peeping tom. Welcome to the show that does more than leave a good impression.
Ringers started off as a radio show in the year 2000, but graduated to telly in 2002, making household names of some despicably talented people. Including Jon Culshaw (who became famous in 1998 after using his William Hague voice to get Blair on the phone), Jan Ravens (who was the first female president of Cambridge Footlights in 1979), Phil Cornwell (who also played Alan Partridge's arch-enemy Dave Clifton, fact fans) and Kevin Connelly (who started doing impressions as a waiter to amuse diners, and instead of being told to shut up was booked as an after-dinner speaker. That's how good he is).
Moving Dead Ringers to television was a big step for principle writers Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain (potted history: the two met while writing sketches for the satirical Radio 4 show Week Ending - this was in 1995, the year Nev wrote My Grandmother is a Time Lord, which may be the finest title for any play ever).
To play it safe, Tom and Nev basically stuck to the radio scripts for the first televised series of Dead Ringers. By the second series they decided to make the most of the TV format by creating more "visual" sketches - and so wrote a massively expensive bit involving a titanic battle between TV historians Simon Schama and David Starkey. The BBC a bit worried, but eventually bowed to the wisdom of Tom and Nev - paving the way for the grand, ambitious sketches that have come ever since.
When is it on?
Dead Ringers is next on at 1:00 am
on Thursday, 26th November on Dave.
Go to TV Listings
Dead Ringers
More side-splitting sketches in the topical comedy show. Master impressionist Jon Culshaw and company send-up everyone from Brian Sewell to Alan Sugar, Fiona Bruce to Tony Blair!
- On at 1:25 am on Wednesday, 2nd December on Dave
- On at 2:25 am on Wednesday, 2nd December on Dave Ja Vu
Dead Ringers
More topical impressions courtesy of Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Mark Perry and Kevin Connelly. Includes 'Mastermind The Opera' and 'Osama World Cup Football Song'.
- On at 2:00 am on Saturday, 28th November on Dave
- On at 3:00 am on Saturday, 28th November on Dave Ja Vu
Dead Ringers
Impressionists Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens and the team once again bring their sharp satirical skills to stories in the news. This time, Gordon Brown receives lessons in being human.
- On at 2:00 am on Thursday, 26th November on Dave Ja Vu
Dead Ringers
Satirical silliness as impressionists Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens and the team perform topical sketches. Including comedic takes on Tony Blair, Alan Sugar, Fiona Bruce and Kirsty Wark.
- On at 1:20 am on Tuesday, 1st December on Dave
- On at 2:20 am on Tuesday, 1st December on Dave Ja Vu
