American Reacts to It Ain't Half Hot Mum Series 1 Episode 1

[@TheEclecticBeard]

For full reaction: kzbin.info/door/euZS3Dx2kUklKF-N6BiwUQjoin

[@neilgayleard3842]

We all knew you would love this.

[@alanbalderstone1616]

Alan try "not the nine o clock news" especially the Gerald the ape sketch, very funny.

[@tomwinder4402]

I joined to watch the full reaction but couldn't find it, am I being stoopid?

[@sandrabutler3752]

I've pinged you some history of how this TV series would've come about, it's the same as Dad's Army, The Home Guard were made up by people too young or old too fight in the war, or maybe couldn't get in as they were needed to do other jobs, possibly even on medical grounds, but many films and TV are based on fact from these times Reach For The Sky is again based on a real person who lost his legs but flew again during the war Douglas Barder

[@robinford4037]

Do you think you would have appreciated "it ain't half hot mom" as much as you do, if you hadn't seen so much british comedy history before?

[@Dilip122S]

Speaking as someone of Indian origin, I loved this show as a boy back in the 70's and I still do. I have no problem with Michael Bates' performance, in fact I love it! The guy's more Indian than I am, in all honesty. And the show took the piss out of everyone, including the military, the officer class....egalitarian satire, if you like: but it was never mean to anyone. It was always affectionate in tone, and that's why it works. :-)

[@janethigginbottom]

That's the thing about the show. Every character was satirised equally. I'm currently re-watching my box set, and I'm very glad this guy likes it :)

[@theradgegadgie6352]

Dilip, as a Brit who wants nothing but good relations between us and India, I am so bloody relieved to see you write that. So far as I could always see, everyone of every colour and country in this show was played as a complete pillock for comic effect. There was no prejudice: everyone was equally an idiot. Lol

[@MegaWilmington]

exactly mate, taking the pee all round. Whatever happened ? I'm surprised this is still on view and not taken down. Comedy is the the guardian of sense and sensibility. Being erased as we speak. everything in context and a context to everything please.

[@casinodelonge]

Michael Bates's character, if I recall, was the exposition and the "voice" of us, the viewer.

[@JonYuill]

He actually was Indian. He was born on 4th December 1920, at Jhansi, India.

[@paulbanks223]

The old Indian usually finish the show with a snippet of Indian wisdom my favourite being, ''When you see a small boy sat by his dead elephant crying it is not necessarily because he loved the elephant, oh no, it might well be because he has just been told to bury it''.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

It' s been labelled racist now !! Can you believe it !?

[@boeloevanboeloefontein]

LMAO

[@sapienthaggis3466]

I had the absolute pleasure to have Windsor Davies ( The Sargent Major ) in my taxi in the late eighties when he played the theatre here in Aberdeen . An absolute gentleman even took the extra time after his journey to finish our conversation what a gem of a bloke .

[@boeloevanboeloefontein]

He will be missed.

[@nomdaploom]

I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who chooses, yes chooses, to take offence at this comedy series. As Ricky Gervais says, "I found it funny, which is why I'm happier than you".

[@politirel2]

The man playing the Indian IS an Indian, he's Michael Bates, he was born in Jhansi, India, he spoke Hindi and Urdu before he could speak English, he served with the Ghurkas in Burma and was a very brave man during the war. Sadly the politically correct lot are ignorant of this.

[@mariacarter6954]

I was a kid when this came out and he was and always will be my favourite ...seriously

[@darrenbuckley2082]

@@DazzleMonroe Bye.

[@geoffersvoiceofreason2534]

@@DazzleMonroe including the stereo typing and ridiculing of the British characters, but that’s ok to you, I suppose. It’s a COMEDY show from 40 years ago, satirising attitudes from 80 years ago. Do go and enjoy your sterile, un-funny crap they’re allowed to show today.

[@steverpcb]

Actors put on makeup to play parts, in this case an Indian national is playing the part of an Indian, End Of !

[@tomhaskett5161]

@@DazzleMonroe anyone would think that The British Empire was a bad thing!

[@AbuZaynaab]

As someone with parents from the sub continent, we grew up watching this show. We always saw it as our show. We were never offended by Michael Bates, as we were aware of his background. He would often use Urdu words which were never translated or subtitled, giving us dual language speakers even more context. Someone once asked me did I find this show offence or racist. No, the if anything all the natives were normally quite laid back and wise, whilst the British Army was running around making fools of themselves.

[@DeValiere_]

Boy are you working through the classics. Enjoy them, they're all gems.

[@GrafindeKlevemark]

I'm the daughter of my dear deceased father, a major in the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). I can only say that the characters of the Seargent Major and the much younger lieutenant who has probably never seen battle, are perfect caricatures of the real thing !!!

[@mariacarter6954]

😇😚😇

[@thefilmsett1956]

My dad was a sapper

[@jimspink2922]

In the series it is mentioned that the SGT Major had been in combat as the officers talk of his being up in the jungle which would have referred to Burma

[@Mk1Male]

RIP to your father. Arte et Marte.

[@mac1975]

My dad was a chindit and was in Burma and Malaya. Quiet man.

[@DeValiere_]

The interesting thing about Michael Bates (who plays Rangi) is that he was in so many ways the very epitome of the (by then defunct) British Empire, having been born in India, and lived there in his youth. English wasn't even his first language. While his casting was... dubious, I've always seen it as quite fascinating from that point of view, not to mention his actual military service as an officer with the Gurkhas in Burma during WWII.

[@FU2Max]

Spot on. he was born in Jhansi, United Provinces, British India

[@Happyheretic2308]

@@FU2Max The maharani of Jhansi (Laksmibai) being Flashman’s object of fascination/lust/whatever in one of the best of George MacDonald Fraser’s fantastic series - being ‘Flashman in the Great Game’

[@sarthakkukreti2444]

I mean why is that fascinating? He was the son of a high ranking member of the british imperial machinery in India. "speaking Hindi and Urdu as his first languages before learning English' .... has no citation or reference on wikipedia from where everyone is regurgitating this. Also say if you are a brit born in Japan and grew up there for a few years, would you not know who to speak Japanese ????

[@jswmonkey197]

@@sarthakkukreti2444 Don't think you understood the post made by Devaliere. He's fascinated by the irony and coincidence of Michael Bates playing a character that's at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from his early upbringing and early career,.

[@BongWeasle]

@@sarthakkukreti2444 Indians born in Britain are British…..but British people born in India can’t be Indian ?…………I smell racial Hypocrisy.

[@jemmajames6719]

Love this series, it takes the mick out of everyone, working class, posh, gay, butch, short, fat, etc, no ones safe! The writers based this and Dads Army on their experiences.

[@DOUBLEDTRAVEL]

The gentleman playing the Indian guy was actually born in India and served in a regiment of the Indian army. So even though its from the time, its kind of satirically correct

[@TheEclecticBeard]

Oh I know. I read up on him at the end of the show but during my closing statements. He was born in India of parents both from England. So while he's "Anglo Indian" dude is what as hades and wouldn't be on the same level as the "natives" or part of the traditional caste system there. I know for a ton of folks, that would be problematic today, for most folks. Thankfully I'm not most folks lol.

[@DOUBLEDTRAVEL]

@@TheEclecticBeard agreed. Having had experience of the cast system.... Its not worth talking about. However, for more hilarious laughs, check out the show, last of the summer wine.... The bearer played a character called blamire

[@matthewJC1990]

The Indian guy played Bernard Montgomery in the movie patton

[@craigmccullough7333]

He also spoke Urdu before he spoke English.

[@MetroTitanD78]

Michael Bates also spoke the language too

[@sood9876]

Back in the 1960's and 70's , the point of showing racism was to show how ridiculous it was. Programmes such as Love Thy Neighbour and Till Death Do Us Part always made fun of racist people. You were supposed to laugh at them, and see how stupid they were. It's like Mel Brooks' film Blazing Saddles.

[@patchthesinclair5896]

The exact and correct point. May political correctness be forever beggared up the keyster

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

In Love thy neighbour, the main characters were pretty much as bad as each other, while their wives got along fine and despaired at their husbands nonsense. It doesn't get the credit it deserves.

[@theradgegadgie6352]

@Ricky Bantz Which one are you talking to?

[@daistoke1314]

@Ricky Bantz racism in the modern sense is a very american thing.in Britain we used to judge people by their own worth not their colour. For example every soldier who served beside the Ghurkas loved them for their bravery, their humour, and their loyalty. Racism in the UK does exist but it is very different from US. Until late 40's there was tiny non white population, slavery in UK has never been legal (different in colonies)

[@whu58]

Thank you soo d for such a great & true assessment of some UK comedy shows in the 60`s and 70`s, as you said, the point being the ridiculousness of the racist characters portrayed was the quintessential nub of the matter, this was mentioned by actor Warren Mitchell when interviewed, and when he did the show (TDDUP) on ITV called `An Audience With`.

[@tonygriffin_]

Loved this as a young teenager in the 70's. The Sergeant Major, Windsor Davies, has a very obvious Welsh accent which is how he spoke naturally, although he's exaggerating it a bit here. He and Lofty (the small guy) had a one-hit wonder (but also a hit single) in the 70's with a rendition of 'Whispering Grass'. Great that you're viewing all these great classics.

[@highpath4776]

Don Estelle also Released a couple of Albums being a very good Tenor. Windsor Davies went onto another sit-com set in the Antique Shop. George Leyton normally played dodgy Aussie Crooks in budget cop shows and Also was in The Doctor in the House series on ITV. Melvyn Hayes was in the Double Deckers, and Summer Holiday (film).

[@MayYourGodGoWithYou]

@@highpath4776 Windsor Davies was also an excellent RSM in Carry on England as well, you'll see several members of the same cast members as well.

[@ianvincent4911]

@@MayYourGodGoWithYou He was Sergeant Major Zero in Terrahawks too.

[@MayYourGodGoWithYou]

@freebeerfordworkers Agree though I think Carry on Jack was actually the worst of them all (though I won't even mention Carry on Columbus). But my daughter loves that one so each to their own.

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

Worth pointing out that Jimmy Perry, one of the writers, basically lived the scenario portrayed in the show. Conscripted into the Royal Artillery in 1943, he joined the training camp's concert party and continued when he was posted out to India. He did reach the rank of Bombardier (the Royal Artillery'sequivalent of a Corporal; as you may have noticed, the private soldiers are addressed as "Gunner", and Winsdor davies character's rank is Battery Sergeant Major, a Warrant Officer Second Class), and it's not wholly improbably that Solly is kind of a self-insert.

[@Pebble3007]

The majority of Perry's shows were about his real life experiences. Dad's Army, he was Pike. Are your being served? Hi De Hi.

[@barrycaldwell5461]

Windsor davies played the part of a typical british army seargeant major perfectly 😂😂

[@andyhinds542]

Yep; sergeant majors are renowned for their yelling. In the US you call them drill sergeants - I think.

[@papalaz4444244]

The camp is in Deolali - The name is also the source of the British slang noun doolally tap, loosely meaning "camp fever", and referring to the apparent madness of men waiting for ships back to Britain after finishing their tour of duty. By the 1940s this had been widely shortened to just "doolally", an adjective meaning "mad (insane)" or "eccentric".

[@lynette.]

Not a lot of people know that.

[@truthseeker3618]

Wow thanks for that never realised were doolally came from.

[@iandeare1]

You are correct, if a little adrift in the history. Actually, Deolali was a hill fort, in a relatively peaceful part of India. Historically it was where troops suffering from various ailments, including mental health, were sent to recuperate. It's history predates both world wars by several decades.

[@royw-g3120]

Well that is going in my family quiz night this Friday!

[@Lord_Williams]

Windsor Davies who played the Sergeant Major was a well loved Welsh actor who was from the same valley as myself. Love the channel and much respect.

[@mark240862]

This was must see tv back when I was at school. Great to see it again.

[@andrewblatherwick8758]

Windsor Davies absolutely nailed the Seargeant Major Role with his actions and mannerisms. Top notch. Melvin Hayes as Gloria was also a highlight.

[@leecummings2890]

My uncle Jack was at Dunkirk. With Montgomery in Africa. Then Normandy landings he said to me that's how the sergeant majors were like. He said you had to have a sense of humour because you never knew if you were going see next day. My great grandad served in India he said they were the best and loyal hard working people he served with and he could speak their language. He loved them.

[@ashleyhoward8926]

Sergeants major.

[@hihosilverlining9081]

Sgt Major Williams made himself immortal, even in the Netherlands, where I live. His repeated lines like “shut up!” and “Show your shoulders” , and “oh dear, so sad, never mind!” Used to send me into the curtains.

[@denniswright4807]

He’s what a regimental Sargent major really is and the English man playing the Indian actually lived and was born in India . The best Sit com of the seventies.

[@bigglesharrumpher4139]

A classmate and I performed the opening song as a skit at primary school. We loved the show as kids in the 70's. These characters are embedded in our psyche.

[@roserado8228]

John Wayne saw this while filming in London and just loved Windsor Davies.

[@maffysdad]

Windsor Davis, the Sgt Major, such a wonderful and very underrated actor. Welsh, could act, sing, deliver punchlines, and was a very gentle and wonderful human being. This comedy was at it's time the height of family comedy. Watch him revise this role with a member of the case in Carry on England, 1976, and he also stared in Carry on Behind 1975. Neither anywhere near as well written as the earlier Carry On films, but worth watching because his voice and accent adds to the films.

[@kevinadams3729]

Growing up in the Seventies this was absolutely required watching. My memory may be a bit hazy but i am sure it was on after Top of the pops on a Thursday. Thanks so much for reacting to old classics.

[@elunedlaine8661]

I absolutely love this series. And I think you;ll enjoy ''Allo 'Allo, also set during WW2, but really funny. So happy that you're laughing at true British humour

[@helenbailey8419]

Also written by David Croft

[@alexrogan6563]

Famous for its very clever, yet very simple trick of the actors all speaking English but in different *accents*, to denote their characters speaking different *languages*. That way they can be talking at cross-purposes but the audience always knows what's going on, it's genius. Also, when they chose to conclude the show, they wrote the last episode as a very definite finale so it couldn't be renewed; in my opinion, it's better to end on a carefully chosen high note than just sort of fade away.

[@evorock]

i'm here for the fallen Maddona viv da big boobies, by von Klomp 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@johnbuyers8095]

Especially when you know that the French, Germans and Italians find it as funny as we do. Good comedy overcomes any political correctness.

[@evorock]

@@johnbuyers8095 agreed. Comedy should be universal

[@sentinal2337]

Im lucky enough to be 57 years old and the Father of 4 grown Daughters and i grew up in a time where there was no internet, we didnt have a telephone in the house and very rarely had enough food. People did not complain about anything, they just did the best they could in life. These young folks today have nothing to complain about and yet, they complain about everything. Love the channel, keep it up.

[@thesheepman220]

Not far behind you one of six and your absolutely spot on buddy, we had hardly nothing but in reality we had everything , today it’s the complete opposite with these people today

[@everestyeti]

So true, when I was growing up, in my household we had 3 choices. Hot meal or electric 2 bar fire on for an hour or hot water for the bath. Which was shared, as the youngest of 5 I was always last. When my kids were growing up, I made sure they never had that choice. Like you say they have no idea.

[@anenglishlife7210]

Agreed .youre spot on.

[@666khaleck]

Agree 100% , 👍

[@DavidTraynier]

With respect, young people today do have plenty to complain about, not least having been left a rapidly warming and polluted world which may be largely inhabitable for humans by the end of the century. Every generation has its challenges and every generation has the tendency to look back on its own heydey as a balmy utopia.

[@roserado8228]

Lofty also known as gunner sugden played by don Estelle has the most incredible singing voice,he was part of a double act with Windsor Davies ( Battery sergeant major) they released a single in character,whispering green grass,the character of “old shut up” Battery sergeant major Williams became the very definition of a sergeant major in the British army,but you need to watch the ENTIRE series to see just how much he cared and loved his men,he was no bully,but he was a good parent.

[@charliegeorge9393]

It actually got to number 1 in the charts

[@CMDRRustyDog]

@gilburton Whispering Grass - boy that takes me back.

[@gavinholt5428]

I love that clip and song

[@jeffreyprentis]

Whispering grass

[@peckyneckyfilms]

@gilburton Likewise. I saw him singing in the Winchester Brooks Centre not long before he passed away.

[@edwardallen4051]

The deep voiced seargent major is Windsor Davies, voice courtesy of Wales. Michael Bates is as you say white, a brilliant but underated actor. He is also well known for the radio series 'The Navy Lark' which also was the launching pad for Ronnie Barker. Both of them used their abilities for using many voices to play multiple roles. Bates also starred in the first 2 series of Last of the Summer Wine, my all time favourite comedy series.

[@vinparaffin6082]

Windsor Davies........born in London!

[@bujin1977]

​@@vinparaffin6082 Where he was born is irrelevant. He was Welsh.

[@Westcountrynordic]

@@vinparaffin6082 So Boris Johnson was born in New York

[@edwardallen4051]

@@vinparaffin6082 Parents Welsh, it's genetics

[@olwens1368]

@@bujin1977 I was born in Scotland but of Welsh parentage. If a cat had kittens in the oven you wouldn't call them biscuits....

[@Dave85262]

There was the most famous of all British Sgt-Mjrs, Reg. Sgt-Mjr Brittain. He trained the officer cadets at Mons Oxford. There are several videos of him on KZbin. He also prided himslef of being able to command a platoon a quater mile away. If you screwed-up, he'd double time you over to the guard house, and by way of encouragement, the corporal would accompany you from behind, with a fixed bayonet. His famous line was when inspecting the cadets, he's come behind one and bellow, "Am I 'urtin you boy?" Cadet replied, "No, Sgt-Majr." "Well, I bloody well ought to be. I'm standing on your 'air. Get an 'air cut!"

[@robertlawrence7655]

I bought the boxset last year. Absolutely BRILLIANT series 👏🏻

[@dnorfed]

I’ve seen this box set 4 times, it’s absolutely brilliant, oh, plus when it first came out, way back in 1974, it was a must watch, glad you think it’s so funny. I love it when you burst out laughing, British humour at its finest

[@stephenhitchen8753]

Alan, this was compulsory viewing in our house , I can remember my father being like you crying with laughter.

[@MacStoker]

my funny indian accent was great as a kid... (it still is ;-) i just realised i was doing one of these guys from this show... if i do it now i get called racist... i was actually impersonating someone i loved on TV lol.... they guy around 4:00 was my boi

[@stephenhitchen8753]

@@MacStoker I think as kids of that generation we all did impersonations of different cultures and even of different areas of the uk, which we still do, people in work try to impersonat my welsh accent, then I do the same to them , no malice all said in fun.

[@MacStoker]

@@stephenhitchen8753 im a broad geordie so i get the same all the time haha

[@TheMadTatter]

I wasn't born when this show was on, but I found it in later life and I find it hilarious. Windsor Davies performance as BSM Williams, for me, ranks as some of the best TV comedic acting we've ever produced. Apparently they originally wanted him to play the part with a more cockney accent, but when he did an exaggerated version of his own Welsh accent, the producers loved it and thought it was better than any way they had written the character prior. I love the way his approach is so binary - he's either low and calm, or loud and screaming with absolutely nothing in between, and the anticipation he sets up in his lines where you're just waiting for the moment where he cracks and starts screaming, it's brilliant it really is. I still ask people who don't seem to be doing anything why they aren't "whitening them stones" to this day and probably 1 in 100 people actually get the reference!

[@harry2.01]

Not quite as good, but a later series called Never The Twain with Windsor Davies and Donald Sinden as rival antiques dealers is worth a watch.

[@SISU889]

How right you say , this programme was pure class !

[@derrenlodge6502]

You have got to get round to watching Are You Being Served? Another classic!😄

[@danieleyre8913]

No that show was horrible. “On the buses” in the other hand…

[@johngordonhouchen1312]

they filmed an episode in Hawley woods ,hampshire on the army lake,it was the directors birthday and he shared the cake with us kids,they gave us thier signatures.i feel over one of the polytyrene rocks and it had Dr Who stamped on the bottom.

[@ojonasar]

9:39 - he (the one in the dress) is still with us and living in the Isle of Wight, aged 86.

[@DeneF]

Not watched this for 45 years. Thanks Mr E.B.

[@derrenlodge6502]

The title comes from a scene where Gunner 'Parky' Parkin is writing a letter home to his mother and we hear his thoughts as he is writing it...Because we hear him say "Cor,It ain't half hot mum."

[@highpath4776]

The Only Episode where that is said at all

[@toddbrady8540]

Alas, you can't get away with this sort of stuff no more, I've been lucky to meet some of the cast and they're absolute gents, Esp Melvyn Hayes👍❤️🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@jimcook1161]

Another classic from Jimmy Perry and David Croft. The same writing team behind Dad's Army!

[@shiftyshamsk]

Good 80's clean comedy. I'm glad you enjoyed it for what it is. I was brought up on "are you being served" and many other greats. I'm 53 and the only place I can go to watch it is on here. 👍🏻

[@scarfhs1]

The white guy playing an Indian fellow is an Indian fellow. Michael Bates was born in India and spoke Hindi and Urdu.

[@TheEclecticBeard]

Completely know that. Born to parents who were from Cheshire. So he was born in India but wasn't an Indian in the traditional sense. Served in their army and spoke languages but he wasn't 100% Indian. Something that would offend a small portion of people. They always somehow find themselves in my comment section lol.

[@scarfhs1]

@@TheEclecticBeard I am Scottish and as far as I am concerned anyone born in Scotland is Scottish irrespective of their parents origin. You are right of course some people will be hitting the roof.

[@Raider577]

@@scarfhs1 Would you call Spike Milligan or Cliff Richard Indians? Both born and raised in India to white parents. Some of my old white school teachers were also born and raised in India. They certainly don't consider themselves Indians. The same way Indians born and raised in Kenya or Uganda don't consider themselves African.

[@royw-g3120]

Yes used to do business with a consultant called Alan Choo-Kang who despite looking like Bruce Lee had the classiest Edinburgh accent I have ever heard. His family had been in Scotland for 4 generations. Not sure if he had a Saltire on the wall but it would not have surprised me.

[@brucewilliams4152]

Even funnier when the concert party are posted to Burma, just behind the front lines.

[@coot1925]

Melvin Hayes, who plays Gloria is an amazing actor who I had the pleasure of meeting at the BBC studio bar in Elstree. He was actually quite the ladies man as I found out by the presence of his latest wife who was a stunning blonde bombshell. Windsor Davis who plays the Welsh SM, according to my dad played the role fairly accurately. Great show & a great reaction. Also, it was writen by the same guys as dads army, which I know you like.

[@DoctorDave5]

It’s very interesting to see you enjoying a show that I took for granted as a kid. This certainly takes me back and I’m surprised at how much more there was to the show, the stuff that would have gone over my head as a youngster.

[@j0hnf_uk]

Regarding the so-called, 'racism'; I suspect you're preaching to the choir on this one. Anyone who remembers this series is sufficiently old enough, (and wise enough), not to adhere to any form of political correctness and understands the humour therein perfectly. As you say, anyone who gets offended by this are perfectly at liberty not to watch it.

[@paulbanks223]

Most of us took it for comedy end of, none of us as far as I am aware watched these and then got tooled up with knives and went on stabbing sprees which seems to be a trait of the new PC world we now live in.

[@amnril]

Exactly, don’t like it, don’t watch it. Sadly, don’t like it creates lots of whining and then it gets ‘cancelled’ thus nobody can watch it. Something is very wrong with that outcome but at least the whining babies are happy now.

[@highpath4776]

Bates, etc are ACTORS, playing a role, they could come from any background and portray someone else.

[@sharonunfiltered]

Well said 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@garethfarman9540]

Using white person blacking up is racist today. However at the time it was seen as normal. Unlike the Black and White Minstrel Show, where the history behind it was racist, there was a need for this as there were few top grade Asian actors in the UK. The casual racism in the script represents the era it is set in and the program would be false if it was written out completely. The only reason Spearchucker was written out of MASH was that in the 50s there were no black surgeons in Korea, not because of his nickname.

[@seanbarker4610]

The Actor who plays the Sargeant Major was an icon, so much so that many soldiers claimed their Sargeant Majors were just like him.

[@cockneykev6532]

Mine was. 😉

[@petertyson1112]

He had actually been a sergeant major before going into show business.

[@jimspink2922]

@@petertyson1112 Saw Windsor Davis in an interview and they asked him about the character of the BSM. He said he based the character on his Sgt Major when he was in the Army even down to the moustache. When he went in for the try out for the part he did the reading with a Cockney accent. Jim Perry commented that Davis was Welsh and asked him to do the reading again but in his natural Welsh accent and as they say the rest was history.

[@jonathanalves5078]

Windsor davies ( the battery sergeant) was awesome

[@coot1925]

Had a beer with Melvin Hayes, AKA Gloria in the BBC bar at elstree studios. His wife was a blonde bombshell, about 25 years old. Despite his camp demeanor on the show, he has a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. Really nice guy. Bloody good dancer to.

[@pjmoseley243]

As a British Army Veteran most of these older actors would have experienced British army Conscription at some time in their lives. Winsor Davies played the Company Sergeant major perfectly. Most CSM's had a wicked sense of humour but as a private soldier you would not dare be caught laughing at them, some CSM's would literally be like him! sometimes their humour is what made military life bearable. we would laugh about a comment or situation behind the CSM's back. I would recommend you look at a short clip of " Guns of Batasi" to see what some British Army Company Sergeant Majors were truely like!

[@highpath4776]

See the wartime George Formby film and the song/s Our Sergeant Major.

[@frankrowland]

Battery Sergeant Major (Royal Artillery)

[@pjmoseley243]

@@frankrowland Battery sergeant major is correct frank, good spot, but I'm sure they were all tarred wirh the same humour brush lol

[@ashleyhoward8926]

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Sergeants Major.

[@stingray4real]

Dino Shafeek who played Chai Wallah Muhammad was the English language student Nadim Ali in the TV comedy Mind Your Language.

[@rickybuhl3176]

The Brits do satire impeccably well.

[@omega7311]

Oh yeh

[@nhzrocks]

Yes, its a shame that the 'woke' amongst us 'react' to words without understanding the meaning/context....a definition of satire "the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.".....nuff said!

[@Keyboardje]

Did. Now it's a country full of bigots and xenophobes that's going to Brexit-hell.

[@rickybuhl3176]

@@Keyboardje Waiting for the British Santa Inc. is a bit of a concern, granted. At least the footballers aren't all tying their boots at the start of games anymore. Most but not all..

[@simondancaster8334]

@@nhzrocks So true! Humour unites. Comedy brings us together. Woke nonsense just promotes tribalism. So sad

[@johnoleary2848]

Windsor Davies was born to play this part . One of his best acting roles ever. I had the pleasure of meeting Windsor Davies at all of Jim Davidsons Weddings .( so i met him many many times) He had time for ever one a great man and a greatly mist man.

[@teresahowells4879]

I always used to love watching this show. I have a soft spot for Lofty. Another very funny, gentle comedy with excellent actors and script is "Last of the Summer Wine". It's about three retired guys getting up to mischief and contemplating life, usually in the great outdoors, so an added bonus is the beautiful countryside. I've seen a lot of people recommending it to you lately.

[@dougiemilnephotography756]

And, in fact, the early seasons starred Michael Bates.

[@teresahowells4879]

@@dougiemilnephotography756 Yep, I remember now.

[@chrislawley6801]

Thank you I haven't seen this for years, still making me laugh, Tempted to buy the box set as don't think can watch it any other way

[@Happyheretic2308]

I just have, with the complete ‘Allo ‘Allo. Bliss ..!

[@michaelglynn2638]

Just bloody good fun, as intended. Cheers Mr EB, enjoyed the laugh-along ✌️

[@paulmason6474]

The guy in the blonde wig and Pink Dress is Melvyn Haynes. He is now 86

[@DB-kv5mb]

Loved this programme growing up, Gloria in real life wasn't gay.

[@TaxiRED]

Snake belt on the turban... i remember as a kid those snake belt held my trousers up.. memories LOL

[@ashleyhoward8926]

I'm 65 & still have mine. Ironically it only fits on my head these days.

[@sandrabutler8483]

This is a true representation of what it was like during the wars, many well known actors, comedians and best known writers came through this way, Sir Norman Wisdom, Sir Harry Seacombe, Sir Spike Milligan, Lord Richard Attenborough, who's brother Sir David Attenborough went into production at the BBC and now best known for his Life On Earth and many other Natural World TV Series over many decades, we had many more from the UK including Sir Bob Hope, the father of Dame Joan Collins and sister Jackie, even my late friend made this his career after his stint in the Navy he'd followed his older brother into the Navy, but if you dig back in time this is also where some of what we know today came from, with the posting of forces in India, Singapore etc

[@langdalepaul]

Windsor Davies was brilliant as a stereotypical army sergeant major. My favourite character of the whole show.

[@IanDarley]

That was Windsor Davies normal speaking voice, him and Don Estelle from the show released a couple of records - Whispering Grass and Paper Doll, both here on the tubes.

[@MetroTitanD78]

Windsor Davis was born in East London to Welsh parents and didn't move to Wales til he was about 8.

[@leesloan8216]

my wife's uncle is the spitting image of Windsor, and was even a RSM in the Royal Marines.

[@oldfatbastad6053]

Now pay attention 007. The actor in brown face is Michael Bates who was born in Jhansi India and spoke Hindi and Urdu before he even spoke english. All he wore was a light tan.

[@TheEclecticBeard]

Oh. Condescending much? He was born in India, to parents from England. Am I bashing him for it being tanned? Nope. However, that is something that in today's climate wouldn't fly. Regardless of him being born there, educated and multi lingual. Tell me where I'm wrong here. What was acceptable at one time, to most these days, isn't the case anymore.

[@richardhall6034]

Hi from the UK another show you might like to check out is called the detective's with Robert Powell jasper carrot and George sewell About two useless detective's who always seem to come out on top

[@highpath4776]

Based very badly (!!) on The Sweeney

[@verloser]

Windsor Davies was a British actor. He is best remembered for playing Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum over its entire run. he passed away in the month of me birthday in 2019: great man rest in piece.

[@derrenlodge6502]

There is also a plotline running through the episodes that the Sgt Major could be Parky's father as he knew Parky's mother! 👉😀

[@peterjf7723]

Oh I had forgotten that. Just like Sgt Wilson and Pike in Dad's Army.

[@charliegeorge9393]

Which was confirmed at the end, he went on to play Mike the Barman in Only Fools and Horses.

[@thephantomraspberryblower2675]

Luvly boy

[@alansmithee8831]

Hello Alan. I had an uncle that fought in Burma in WW2, so this was always on at home as a kid, when broadcast. They do not make them like this any more in Land of Hope and Glory - Shut Up! Oh dear. how sad. Never mind.

[@davidthemod4729]

A classic, loved this growing up.

[@davidshattock9522]

Reckon he got into character as Sgt major when he was a school teacher at the elephant and castle in London a very tough area indeed

[@susanashcroft2674]

Thank you for doing this Alan, my dad used to record this on tape so we could listen to it while away on holiday. Another gem sit com of the 70's would be, Are You Being Served? which is set in a department store called Grace Brothers.

[@achloist]

Oh god yes. My absolute favourite!

[@steverpcb]

I am taking care of Are You Being Served? for Alan :)

[@susanashcroft2674]

@@steverpcb Brilliant! Loved the film they made too where they all went on holiday together and 'stayed' in a hotel/ tents.

[@susanashcroft2674]

@@achloist Hope 'you are free' when Alan reacts to it!!

[@wolfieandmasterturtle5728]

I think the real difference between this series and modern day is that here all the characters were both likable and integral to the story- ethic or other minorities were not shoe-horned into the scrip just to show how 'woke' the production company is.

[@franksidebottom1271]

I watched this as a kid and enjoyed it so much...as an adult I appreciate how well written it is and still have a laugh.

[@ericjackson9496]

Compulsive viewing from my childhood this I loved it

[@papalaz4444244]

oh wow good choice. You are the only one I have seen reacting to this underrated series. If you watch all the series then it ties up the whole story. The last couple of episodes are an emotional minefield :)

[@davidcaldwell6627]

Sergeants and Sergeant Majors are the funniest people in the Army, they are neither lower ranked, and neither liked by the higher ranked. I was in the T.A Territorial Army, and I remember being on Parade, and the lad in front of me, was blowing air at his nose, this Sarg screeched around to stand in front of this lad, and said " And what are you doing Darling" the lad said, Ive got a wasp on my nose, to which the Sarg said " That wasp will not sting you, until I tell it too. Fucking Hilarious. Another lad whilst we was on Parade standing in the heat on a very hot day, he fainted, and went face first to the tarmac, the Sargent said " "Thats funny thats the fastest hes been in six months". Another good one was we were put in to 4 teams, and given planks of wood, ropes and two barrels, we had to make a raft, and get to the other side, pick up a tyre and get back and the winning team would win 24 cans of Lager, my team won, and when the Sarg turned up. He said " Well done lovely boys, well done and thanks for donating the 24 cans of lager to the sergeants mess ( Club ).

[@nottmjas]

I've forgotten how funny IAHHM is. Probably because it hasn't been repeated on the BBC in decades.

[@neilwhisler7817]

Winsor Davis ( Sargent major) made this show. The greatest show on television at the time. Still great today.

[@nishjoshi1964]

I am Indian and I loved this show!

[@stevehough8727]

Windsor Davies, the Sergeant Major was an acting legend

[@notanfningain]

The Sgt Major (Actor) in this programme based his character upon a real Sgt Major he knew, down to the moustache.

[@ThePinkBinks]

Windsor Davis IS 100% the embodiment of the stereotype of a Sergeant/Sergeant Major for us Brits. And the amount of white Indian-born guys playing brown Indian guys was pretty massive. Done with love though or we wouldn’t have liked it. You might be surprised how many of our favorite comedians are white and Indian born/raised. Goodness gracious me. (Oh that’s a series you should check out by English/Indian comedians named after the bit by Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. “Goodness Gracious Me. Highly recommend!)

[@nickthomas4092]

There was an organisation called the Entertainments National Services Association where artists went around entertaining the troops. The acronym ENSA was also said to mean, every night something awful! They actually had a lot of talent that went on to dominate TV, film and theatre for a long time.

[@ilovecatweazle]

ENSA is still around today many performing to the elderly in retirement homes. In my AmDram days 25yrs ago I did some stuff with them. We wore genuine WWII army uniforms which I found incredibly itchy.

[@richieb7692]

The Wonderful Spike Milligan was originally in ENSA. His war diaries are just hysterical to read.

[@davidhumphreys7035]

ENSA performed to us at RAF Aldergrove in NI in the very late 90's/early 2000's, ABBA was one of the groups, still remember us singing Waterloo stood on the chairs in the gym.

[@ralphmouth4280]

I'm a Jewish New Yorker and I loved it! Your reaction was great and we have to view it in its period context. That's how people spoke in those days and it's a bit of history in a comedic setting, one of the BBC's highlights of all their productions.

[@duncan.5228]

Bravo for going there TEB. That's how it was then, and was so skillfully written to show the absurdity of the characters involved. Read between the lines, that's where the gold lies.

[@callithowiseeit5806]

See the comments under any post of this program on youtube, it's filled with "my family is Indian and we never missed an episode" or "I'm Indian and LOVED this show"

[@Ayns.L14A]

the writers, Jimmy perry and Maj David Croft both served in the army in similar roles as these during this time period they also wrote , Dads army and Allo Allo, among others.

[@scottduggan2146]

Great British Classic's, i do miss those show's thank's for a trip down memory lane,watched this growing up,so funny they are.Thank's again.

[@robertsnare1411]

My father served in India during the war. He always thought that Michael Bates portrayal of the bearer was accurate, and brilliant.

[@markjakeway2035]

So did mine and he said the same. Also the 'punka wallers' as well. My dad developed his love of curry there too. There would be local Indians just outside the camp with live chickens which would be killed and cooked on order together with the local spices. He said it was the best he ever had.

[@Ian-lx1iz]

This is a superb old British sit-com. Hope you can react to a lot more of these - they're priceless.

[@angelavara4097]

Well said Alan. My family used to watch this show every weekend and you are right about the trends back then.

[@YeCrustModifier]

Fun fact: this was filmed on a soundstage in England and it was bloody cold, The actors had Vaseline rubbed onto them to make them look sweaty and had to act like they were hot when they were actually really really cold

[@stephensmith4480]

Oh my god. We grew up with all these classics, so funny. This was pure entertainment for all the family.

[@BarbaraGrosvenor]

A brilliant comedy series that gave us lots of laughs which is what we need these days. Unfortunately, this sort of comedy would never be made today because everything is too PC today

[@malcolmross8427]

Windsor Davies (Sgt. Major) & Don Estelle (Lofty) had a number 1 single in the U.K. charts with Whispering Grass!

[@neilgayleard3842]

Windsor Davies.

[@101steel4]

Remember watching this at my nans house as a kid. Absolute classic

[@ListerDavid]

I’m probably part of the last. Generation that used to watch this on repeat on BBC back in the day. Windsor Davis as battery Sergeant major Williams was the star of the show to me! Lol.