BBC Four

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

BBC 4

The Story of Light Entertainment: Series 1

Stephen Fry

Anna Gien

Shelley Lawrence

Story of Light Entertainment: Episode 2: All Round Entertainers

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

All Round Entertainers

Episode 2

Episode 2: All Round Entertainers

Story of Light Entertainment

BBC Two - Story of Light Entertainment, All Round Entertainers

Featuring Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy Tarbuck, Cilla Black, Brian Conley, Lionel Blair and more.

Series tracing the roots of light entertainment looks at how all-round entertainers like Bruce Forsyth adapted their skills to remain on the showbiz ladder.

Straight from the Victorian music halls with their traditional mix of song, dance and comic skit came the tradition of the all round entertainer - an artiste who could 'do it all'. But despite this incredible mix of skills and after ruling the world of light entertainment for years, their chief mode of employment was to become hosts of variety shows, game shows, quizzes and competitions. And whilst an obvious waste of their talents, it did provide huge fame and money, as game shows quickly became the biggest hits on TV. 

But the all round entertainers are the masters of reinvention - from Bruce Forsyth to Michael Barrymore and Bob Monkhouse to Cilla Black, they adapted their skills to keep their place at the top of the slippery showbiz ladder, even as reality TV took hold of the schedules and fame rather than talent became a passport to TV stardom. 

But becoming a jack of all trades brings its own problems, and unappreciated talents, fragile egos and a craving for attention have forever blighted the world of the all rounder.

Stars featured include Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy Tarbuck, Cilla Black, Brian Conley, Joe Pasquale, Lionel Blair, Una Stubbs, Michael Grade and many more.

BBC Two

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC 2

BBC2

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Series on the history of light entertainment, narrated by Stephen Fry.

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Story of Light Entertainment

Episode 2: All Round Entertainers

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