Brian Conley: This Way Up

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Brian Conley: This Way Up
Format Comedy
Presented by Brian Conley
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 13
Production
Producer(s) LWT
Running time 30 min
Broadcast
Original channel ITV
Original run May 20, 1989
June 1, 1990

Brian Conley: This Way Up was a sketch comedy show starring Brian Conley, and began broadcasting on May 20, 1989 on ITV, and ran every Saturday evening, until being moved to Friday evenings by its second series in 1990. This Way Up relied heavily on sketches rather than musical performances, though intervals of stand-up from Brian was featured. The show was the predecessor to the much more popular The Brian Conley Show, which included more stand-up and musical performances. Brian's popular sketch character, Nick Frisbee, along with his sidekick Larry The Loafer, made their debut on this show, but never gained its popularity until The Brian Conley Show. Most sketches featured one-off characters, therefore allowing the show to give much more variety, but recurring characters include Chico and his gang, and the lonely and gormless Albert Bonnet. Some material from the show was re-used for The Brian Conley Show.

Its final show ended with Brian saying "See you next year". Although a third series was never produced in 1991, The Brian Conley Show started the following year. In the end, thirteen episodes were produced. Coincidentally, Brian's final act was a song about bad luck through out the series.

The show led Conley to be named the freshest face on ITV, and was awarded the "Most Promising Artiste" title at the 1991 Variety Club Awards.

During the late 1990s, the show was repeated regularly on satellite channel Granada Plus.