Interference (1983)
The epitome of an obscure British TV programme
A few years ago, I wrote a rather obsessive article about forgotten British comedy shows from the 1980s. But I didn’t include Interference in it, and that’s because it’s so obscure and forgotten, I simply hadn’t stumbled across it. Thankfully, as everyone says at least once in their life, Betamax provided me with exactly what I needed.
Yes, lurking at the very end of a 41-year old Betamax recording was a trailer for an upcoming episode of Interference, Channel 4’s hip, new late-night comedy programme courtesy of Bright Thoughts Productions. But what was it? Well, apart from the above footage, there’s not much else out there.
Luckily, Bright Thoughts are still, apparently, operating and offering up the series for licensing. Their website features a section on Interference - with some clips - where it describes how the programme is a topical comedy show presented by Station S, a pirate television channel which frequently interrupts Fiona Richmond’s faux-series A Friend on Four.
It’s difficult to get much of a feel for Interference with the scant footage available, but it appears to be an intriguing glimpse into a dusty corner of Britain’s alternative comedy history. And one which gives a knowing nod to the burgeoning threat of pirate television in the UK. Perhaps it’s terrible, but there’s something irresistible about Interference’s promise.
The rather hit and miss pilot, which features some famous faces including The Oblivious Boys, Robert Llewellyn and Adrian Hedley aka the dreaded Noseybonk, which went out as Book ‘Em and Risk It, has recently been uploaded to YouTube to provide an hors d'oeuvre for what lays ahead. There’s no pirate television angle, but it’s very early-1980s-surreal-anarcho-comedy and surely has a rightful place amongst the hearts of all Curious British Telly subscribers.
Hopefully, some full episodes will turn up one day.
By the way, the Substack has been fairly dead this year. And that’s been a reflection of the way I’ve been feeling. Luckily, I’m much better now and, slowly, reconnecting with my passions e.g. digging through old Betamax tapes.
The paid subscription to the Curious British Telly Substack was turned off back in February, and it’s unlikely to be re-instated. Although I managed to gather a few paid subscribers, there weren’t really enough to make it financially viable. Spending hours and hours on articles for what was just a handful of quid a week was causing me too much stress and the quality was certainly slipping. But there should be more here and there, so keep an eye on your inboxes. Thanks.