11 May 2017

Review: Chucklevision – Series 3

DVD: Chucklevision – Series 3 (1989-90)

“You do realise that we’re moving into a new field?”

Won’t that be a bit draughty?”

“No. A new field…the world of business”

And so begins series 3 of Chucklevision, the first which started the now classic format of their shows which continued until the very last episode. No nuanced multilayered humour here folks, this is verbal and visual slapstick that will have you chuckling at the quips, groaning at the sheer cheesiness of it, and occasionally laughing out loud despite yourself.

Starring Barry and Paul Elliott as the Chuckle Brothers, they find themselves embroiled in all sorts of antics as their goodwill and over enthusiasm often leads them into situations that only their naivety and lack of self awareness can get them out of.

Running for 292 episodes over 21 series between 1987 – 2009, Chucklevision was a comedy institution on British television which hooked viewers both young and old. Displaying an innocence to their humour that can be traced back to Laurel and Hardy, including the supposed intellectual dominance of one over the other, which quite often leads to even more mishaps, Chucklevision is classic family humour that stands up to repeat viewing.

Series 3 contains 13 episodes which each clock in at only 14 minutes long. This makes them perfect ‘bitesize’ viewing that can be put on anytime and a full little adventure watched in less time than it usually takes for someone to start shouting in Eastenders.

Add to the laughs some dancing, singing, magic tricks and ‘The Chuckmobile’ (a quadracycle which will have you scoffing at any iteration of the Batmobile), and you have a buffet of entertainment that can be consumed whenever you require a little cheering up.

The 13 episodes are: