Cuffy (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Cuffy was a British
sitcom from 1983. It spawned off from the 1980-81 ATV
comedy-drama
Shillingbury Tales
, and both series were created by Francis Essex
. In Shillingbury Tales, the character of Cuffy appeared in two episodes and was played by Bernard Cribbins
, who reprised this role, now given centre stage, for this series, alongside with the rest of the main Shillingbury cast: Jack Douglas
as farmer Jake, Linda Hayden
as his daughter Mandy, Nigel Lambert
as the Reverend Norris, and Diana King
as the local spinster
Mrs. Simkins.
In as much the Shillingbury Tales were made by ITC Entertainment
and seen on the ITV
network via its parent company ATV
, Cuffy was made by ATV's successor company Central Independent Television
also for the ITV network.
Cuffy, who lived in a scruffy caravan in the fictional picturesque English
village
of Shillingbury. Beneath his raggy image (flat cap, grubby coat and stubble), deep underneath he had a heart of gold, although he had a tendency to get into mischief (unintentionally). The episodes revolved around some of his hapless misadventures.
, who was a close friend of Shillingbury creator Francis Essex, and gave it to him to include in both series.
The series' interior scenes were shot at Elstree Studios
, which were still owned by Central TV (heirded from ATV) and were its production base until their new Nottingham
studios were completed in November 1983, after which they sold Elstree to the BBC
and made the move northwards.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
sitcom from 1983. It spawned off from the 1980-81 ATV
Associated TeleVision
Associated Television, often referred to as ATV, was a British television company, holder of various licences to broadcast on the ITV network from 24 September 1955 until 00:34 on 1 January 1982...
comedy-drama
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
Shillingbury Tales
Shillingbury Tales
Shillingbury Tales was a British television sitcom comedy-drama series made by ATV for ITV and broadcast 1980-81.Comprising a single feature length pilot and six one-hour episodes, the series deals with life in an idealised fictional English village and stars Robin Nedwell, Diane Keen, Nigel...
, and both series were created by Francis Essex
Francis Essex
Francis Essex was a British Television and stage Producer, Author and Composer. Essex's career spanned several decades during which he worked for several TV Production Companies, including: Light Entertainment Producer for the BBC Channel in the UK from 1954 to 1960; Senior Producer for the ATV ...
. In Shillingbury Tales, the character of Cuffy appeared in two episodes and was played by Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins
Bernard Cribbins, OBE is an English character actor, voice-over artist and musical comedian with a career spanning over half a century who came to prominence in films in the 1960s, has been in work consistently since his professional debut in the mid 1950s, and as of 2010 is still an active...
, who reprised this role, now given centre stage, for this series, alongside with the rest of the main Shillingbury cast: Jack Douglas
Jack Douglas
Jack Douglas may refer to:* Jack Douglas , British actor and comedian* Jack Douglas , American record producer* Jack Douglas , American comedy writer...
as farmer Jake, Linda Hayden
Linda Hayden
Linda Hayden is an English film and television actress, best known for her roles in 1970s British horror films and sex comedies.-Career:...
as his daughter Mandy, Nigel Lambert
Nigel Lambert
Nigel Lambert is best known for his role as the narrator of the first series of the BBC comedy series Look Around You.He is the voice of Mr Curry in The Adventures of Paddington Bear television series and also "Papa" in the Dolmio pasta sauce puppet commercials.He also contributed extensively to...
as the Reverend Norris, and Diana King
Diana King (actress)
Diana King was an English television actress who had a career on British television from 1939 to 1986. She was sometimes credited as Diane King, and was born in Buckinghamshire....
as the local spinster
Spinster
A spinster, or old maid, is an older, childless woman who has never been married.For a woman to be identified as a spinster, age is critical...
Mrs. Simkins.
In as much the Shillingbury Tales were made by ITC Entertainment
ITC Entertainment
The Incorporated Television Company was a British television company largely involved in production and distribution. It was founded by Lew Grade.-History:...
and seen on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network via its parent company ATV
Associated TeleVision
Associated Television, often referred to as ATV, was a British television company, holder of various licences to broadcast on the ITV network from 24 September 1955 until 00:34 on 1 January 1982...
, Cuffy was made by ATV's successor company Central Independent Television
Central Independent Television
Central Independent Television, more commonly known as Central is the Independent Television contractor for the Midlands, created following the restructuring of ATV and commencing broadcast on 1 January 1982. The station is owned and operated by ITV plc, under the licensee of ITV Broadcasting...
also for the ITV network.
Plot
The show revolved around the tinkerTinker
A tinker was originally an itinerant tinsmith, who mended household utensils. The term "tinker" became used in British society to refer to marginalized persons...
Cuffy, who lived in a scruffy caravan in the fictional picturesque English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
of Shillingbury. Beneath his raggy image (flat cap, grubby coat and stubble), deep underneath he had a heart of gold, although he had a tendency to get into mischief (unintentionally). The episodes revolved around some of his hapless misadventures.
Episodes
- 1. Cuffy And A Carpetbagger (13 March 1983)
- 2. Cuffy And A Holiday (20 March 1983)
- 3. Cuffy And A Fashion Show (27 March 1983)
- 4. Cuffy And A Downpour (3 April 1983)
- 5. Cuffy And The Status Quo (10 April 1983)
- 6. Cuffy And A Green Eye (17 April 1983)
Trivia
The character of Cuffy was actually the brainchild of the late Bob MonkhouseBob Monkhouse
Robert Alan "Bob" Monkhouse, OBE was an English entertainer. He was a successful comedy writer, comedian and actor and was also well known on British television as a presenter and game show host...
, who was a close friend of Shillingbury creator Francis Essex, and gave it to him to include in both series.
The series' interior scenes were shot at Elstree Studios
Elstree Studios
"Elstree Studios" refers to any of several film studios that were based in the towns of Borehamwood and Elstree in Hertfordshire, England, since film production begun in 1927.-Name:...
, which were still owned by Central TV (heirded from ATV) and were its production base until their new Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
studios were completed in November 1983, after which they sold Elstree to the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and made the move northwards.