Time Gentlemen Please

Time Gentlemen Please
Genre	Sitcom
Created by	Al Murray and Richard Herring
Starring	Al Murray Phil Daniels Julia Sawalha Emma Pierson
Theme music composer	Grand Western
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Language(s)	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	37
Production
Executive producer(s)	Al Murray Richard Herring Jon Thoday Richard Allen-Turner Mark Freeland Sara Geater
Producer(s)	Richard Boden Phil Bowker
Location(s)	The London Studios
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Sky One
Picture format	576i (SDTV)
Original run	11 September 2000 (2000-09-11) – 24 April 2002 (2002-04-24)

Time Gentlemen Please is a British sitcom that was primarily written by Richard Herring and Al Murray, which was commissioned by Sky One and ran for two series between 2000 and 2002.

Contents 1 Premise and characters 1.1 Bar Staff 1.2 The regulars 1.3 Other main characters 2 Cast 3 Locations 4 Episode guide 4.1 Series one: 2000-2001 4.2 Christmas special: 2001 (Series 2 pilot) 4.3 Series two: 2002 5 Additional 6 References 7 External links

Premise and characters

The show is set in a run-down pub whose xenophobic landlord, 'Guv' (short for 'The Governor'), has some very old-fashioned views on how a pub, and Britain, should be run. The Governor is an evolution of Al Murray's stage persona 'The Pub Landlord', which he had used in stand up since 1994, and frequently uses today.

Bar Staff

• Guv - The Landlord for the pub. Sometimes claims to be the owner, but the pub is owned by the brewery. Just prior to his divorce, his wife took their son and moved to France to be with her new lover, a French Pub Landlord. He has a number of politically incorrect views which he sometimes momentarily indulges in, for example, the belief that only women can drink wine. He is a typical example of someone who has been emotionally neglected and shows signs that he has abandonment issues. As a result, he is usually highly strung and verbally abusive to those around him. He idolises the man he imagines his father was, but it is often implied that guv is the only one who doesn't know that his father isn't his father.
• Steve Crosby - Crosby is a bar man who lives in the basement. He has no friends, other than the pub regulars, and is convinced that Dean is his best mate. He also insists that he is a "temporary" barman until he figures out what he wants to do with his life. He is a huge fan of 'Cheeky' Alan Supple and Ken Tucky, and is personally offended when either personality is mimicked. Most of his understanding comes from Guv and 'That's Impossible' magazine, and therefore wrong. He doesn't like Janet, but has an unrequited love for Connie. He is verbally and physically abused by others, but he is loyal to his fellow bar staff.
• Janet - Janet is an Australian backpacker looking for a "temporary" job. She later confesses that she wants to earn enough money to return home, but Guv avoids paying her. She is foul-mouthed and talks almost constantly in sexual innuendo. She lusts after Steve, but frequently has boyfriends that distract her from him. She hates the attention she gets from Greg Thompson and Dean. She makes constant jokes about her "last boyfriend", who is eventually introduced as a real character.
• Connie - Connie is the barmaid that replaces Janet. At first, she is refused a job by Guv, so she works for Greg Thompson. But she is taken on by Guv after she frees Steve and quits. She is constantly hit on by Greg. She is prone to bouts of hormonal rage, and is seemingly knowledgeable in all subjects. She is also the only woman not fancied by Terry.
• Gary - Gary is the pub dog. In most episodes, it is revealed that Terry had been barred for doing something to Gary. As a result, Gary is usually seen in some outlandish costume.

The regulars

• Terry Brooks, the pub's regular hollow-legged-hop-fancier with an overactive (although rarely fulfilled) sex drive and a bad case of flatulence. A running joke in most episodes is that Terry has sneaked back into the pub after being barred for various pranks on Gary, the pub's dog.
• Prof (real name "Algernon"), a confirmed bachelor with an overbearing mother. He is known for his pseudo intellectual comments and his skill on the pub's punningly named quiz machine (Fact Hunt). His nickname stems simply from the fact that he wears glasses. It is often strongly implied that the Prof is both the "notorious railway station flasher" and a gay serial killer. It is also suggested that he is attracted to Guv, but he is just as often uninterested.
• Pops is a filthy old man with his regular table and strong religious beliefs. He also claims to be immortal, but says it's more of a curse than a blessing. He is known for his catchphrase 'look at his face, it's a picture!', often after a joke has been played on someone. Little is known about him, but states in the first episode that he preferred the situation to remain that way.
• Leslie is a huge biker type who sits in the corner, with his comparatively diminutive girlfriend Lesley. He never speaks but will growl at those who upset him and will be given free crisps to sit down. He never harms anyone without permission from Lesley (which he usually receives). He is normally content to sit quietly and watch the events in the bar. On a few occasions, he does show an attachment to Terry.
• Lesley, is Leslie's girlfriend. She is content to sit quietly with Leslie and her Tigger toy. She is slightly more talkative than Leslie, but she is far more sensitive. She enjoys watching Leslie hurt people.

Other main characters

• Ms. Vickie Jackson - "Ms" Jackson is the new brewery representative, and the daughter of the brewery owner. She is often looking for ways to increase the number of customers in the pub, always at Guv's disapproval. She is extremely eccentric, often acting in a bizarre, overly friendly manner. She also makes a lot of references to '90's pop culture, even though she is the only person who gets the references most times. At times she feels a kinship towards Janet and Connie, even though she is despised by both. She is known to make nasty comments to both. At the end of the first series, she has a son to Uncle Barry.
• "Uncle" Barry, a recovering sexaholic, who is often hinted to be the Guv's real father. He later fathers a baby with Ms. Jackson. He has a habit of risking his own reputation to help Guv.
• Greg Thompson, currently holds the title of "King Barsteward". He is also the Landlord for the nearby 'Queen of Hearts' pub. He is a charming ladies man who is violent towards men. He likes informing people about his sex life, large penis and his pub, even though the topics tend to overlap. He graduated with Guv, whom he calls "Slops".

Other Significant Characters:

• Mike and Dave, a pair of landlords who are always seen together. Mike is somewhat of a fool who is always embarrassing Dave. It is often implied that the two are in a homosexual relationship. They are also two of the leading members of the Grand Order of Barstewards (with Ms. Jackson, Barry and Greg).
• Dean the "Postie" - Dean (played by co-author, Richard Herring) is a postman who is known in the pub simply as 'Postie'. He hates Steve, even though Steve thinks they are friends. He fancies Janet, but Janet is turned off by his attitude towards Steve. He is also very sensitive about the shape of his face, because most call him "bean-face".
• "Fat" Tony 'Arris - Tony is an obese former Landlord who has been a major influence in Guv's life. He used to be the brewery rep before and King Barsteward before he was replaced due to health issues. He is typically unconscious when he is shown on screen.
• Mr. Jackson - Ms. Jackson's father and the owner of the brewery. He is only seen in two episodes, but his presence has a constant effect on Guv, Steve and Ms. Jackson.
• Prof's Mother - Prof's Mother is an unnamed character who acts overly religious in front of her son, often condemning him for being in the pub. But when Prof is not nearby, she drops her self-righteous facade.
• Guv's Mother - Guv's Mother was an abusive parent who frequently cheated on her husband. She resents Guv for being born when he was. One episode reveals that she has had a fling with Barry, Terry and Prof at one time or other.

Cast

• Al Murray as 'Guv'
• Phil Daniels as Terry Brooks
• Julia Sawalha as Janet (series one)
• Jason Freeman as Steve Crosby
• Andrew Mackay as Professor
• Rebecca Front as Vicky Jackson
• Roy Heather as Pops
• Marc Bannerman as Greg Thompson
• Emma Pierson as Connie (series two)
• Jeff Rudom as Leslie
• Janine Buckley as Lesley
• Barrie Gosney as Uncle Barrie
• Richard Herring as Mike the Postie
• Dave Thompson as Dave
• Frank Skinner as "Cheeky" Alan Supple
• Edna Doré as the Prof's mother
• Jenny Eclair as the Guv's mother

Locations

The exterior shots of the pub were filmed at The Cowshed public house (formerly the Admiral Blake), Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill. The name The Cowshed is referred to in Series 2 Episode 2, where the Guv orders a new sign to be made saying the "Cow's Head", after "Ms Jackson, Cow", but he mis-spells the name.

Episode guide

The first six episodes have been released on DVD as 'Volume 1'. A 5-disc boxset of the entire series has been released.^[1]

Series one: 2000-2001

#	Title	Director	Original airdate
1	"A Woman's Place"	Gareth Gwenlan	11 September 2000 (2000-09-11)
The Guv bars all women from his pub until a sexy Australian called Janet comes looking for a job.
2	"Never Confused"	Gareth Gwenlan	18 September 2000 (2000-09-18)
Ms. Jackson proposes a gay night for the pub, much to the Guv's dismay.
3	"Hoppy Birthday"	Gareth Gwenlan	25 September 2000 (2000-09-25)
The pub celebrates Terry's birthday, meanwhile Janet tries to make Steve jealous
4	"Monkey's Uncle"	Gareth Gwenlan	2 October 2000 (2000-10-02)
The Guv tries to stand up to Greg Thompson after Leslie beats up Greg's nephew.
5	"King Barsteward"	Gareth Gwenlan	9 October 2000 (2000-10-09)
The Guv is nominated for the Grand Order of Barstewards.
6	"Date with Density"	Richard Boden	16 October 2000 (2000-10-16)
A heatwave inside the pub makes Janet go crazy, meanwhile The Guv prepares for his first date in a year.
7	"Getting Diggy with it..."	Richard Boden	23 October 2000 (2000-10-23)
The beer garden is changed into a car park, but work is halted when human remains are found.
8	"The Pub That Forgot Time..."	Richard Boden	30 October 2000 (2000-10-30)
The remains reveal that the pub is sitting on the site of the oldest pub in England.
9	"Fawkes/Off"	Richard Boden	6 November 2000 (2000-11-06)
The Guv is missing his son on his birthday.
10	"Help! The Aged"	Gareth Gwenlan	13 November 2000 (2000-11-13)
The Guv's attempted joke free drink promotion backfires.
11	"More Tea Vicky?"	Richard Boden	20 November 2000 (2000-11-20)
Ms. Jackson makes a surprise inspection, meanwhile Terry gets engaged again.
12	"Day of the Trivheads"	Richard Boden	27 November 2000 (2000-11-27)
The pub squares off against the Queen of Hearts on Fact Hunt.
13	"Greetings Stout Yeoman"	Gareth Gwenlan	4 December 2000 (2000-12-04)
A slimy salesman convinces the Guv to sell Irish stout in the pub.
14	"Only When I Laugh"	Richard Boden	11 December 2000 (2000-12-11)
The Guv visits Tony Harris in hospital
15	"Playing Silly Buggers"	Richard Boden	18 December 2000 (2000-12-18)
The Guv tries to cheer up Janet, meanwhile a drug dealer takes up residence in Pops' chair.
16	"Bar Humbug"	Richard Boden	25 December 2000 (2000-12-25)
The Guv prepares Christmas dinner at the pub for everyone.
17	"New Year's Steve"	Richard Boden	1 January 2001 (2001-01-01)
Greg Thompson lures the regulars to the Queen of Hearts with the promise of "Cheeky" Alan Supple being there.
18	"The Return of Martin Greer"	Richard Boden	8 January 2001 (2001-01-08)
The Guv's favourite class mate at the academy, Martin Greer, returns to the pub.
19	"Juke Box Fury"	Richard Boden	15 January 2001 (2001-01-15)
The Guv gets a new jukebox in the pub; meanwhile Ms. Jackson reveals that she's pregnant.
20	"Farts of Darkness"	Richard Boden	22 January 2001 (2001-01-22)
Terry Mourns for his late mother.
21	"A Dave, A Dave-O"	Richard Boden	29 January 2001 (2001-01-29)
Janet's boyfriend visits from Australia. With Leslie in court, Terry romances Lesley.
22	"All the World's a Stag"	Richard Boden	4 February 2001 (2001-02-04)
Terry prepares for his wedding until a secret is revealed, meanwhile Dave-O proposes to Janet

Christmas special: 2001 (Series 2 pilot)

#	Title	Director	Original airdate
n/a	"It's a wonderful Pint"	Richard Boden	25 December 2001 (2001-12-25)
The pub's regulars try to get The Guv out of bed after ten months of seclusion.

Series two: 2002

#	Title	Director	Original airdate
1	"The Man in the Iron Cask"	Richard Boden	30 January 2002 (2002-01-30)
The Guv can't pour a pint without Steve and Janet, forcing his regulars to face sobriety. And Connie starts work for Greg Thompson.
2	"Got the Painters In"	Richard Boden	6 February 2002 (2002-02-06)
Ms. Jackson wants to repaint the pub's signs, but no-one can remember the name of the pub.
3	"Wishing on a Bar"	Richard Boden	13 February 2002 (2002-02-13)
Irishmen and an evil leprechaun threaten to take over the pub.
4	"The Harder They Crawl"	Richard Boden	20 February 2002 (2002-02-20)
The Guv and Terry struggle to keep Tony Harris from spending his birthday passed out in the gutter.
5	"Landlord of the Giants"	Richard Boden	27 February 2002 (2002-02-27)
Leslie leaves Lesley for Connie, meanwhile The Prof tries to invent the never-ending pint.
6	"Beer Necessities"	Richard Boden	6 March 2002 (2002-03-06)
Ms. Jackson's father forces Connie to pose nude for a pub calendar.
7	"Game for a Gaff"	Richard Boden	13 March 2002 (2002-03-13)
The brewery orders the rustification of the pub.
8	"Speed the Ploughmans"	Richard Boden	20 March 2002 (2002-03-20)
Terry decides to eat only ploughman's meals, meanwhile Connie prepares for her philosophy exam.
9	"Optics Wide Shut"	Richard Boden	27 March 2002 (2002-03-27)
The Guv crashes the Secret Barstewards' Annual Invitation-Only Ball.
10	"Storming Up a Cook"	Richard Boden	3 April 2002 (2002-04-03)
Ms. Jackson hires a celebrity cook for the pub.
11	"Of Mice and Mentalists"	Richard Boden	10 April 2002 (2002-04-10)
The Guv's "barman's hand" becomes public and Ms. Jackson says he must go to therapy.
12	"The Slopranos"	Richard Boden	17 April 2002 (2002-04-17)
The Guv goes to therapy, with Ms. Jackson's twin sister as his therapist.
13	"This Vale of Beers"	Richard Boden	24 April 2002 (2002-04-24)
Greg Thompson finds religion.
14	"Entente Lime Cordial"	Richard Boden	24 April 2002 (2002-04-24)
The man who stole the Guv's wife returns from France. Guest starring David Walliams.

Additional

After the series came to a close, Al Murray has since suggested that his character Guv's real name was also Al Murray. This allows him to use the 'Pub Landlord' character for his stand-up performances. Most of Al Murray's appearances are either as the 'Pub Landlord', or as an alternative version of himself, usually a slightly more reserved version of the 'Pub Landlord' character.

In multiple episodes of the series, Guv directly repeats direct lines from Al Murray's stand up shows. In the Christmas Special, Guv repeats the 'When a child is born' routine from one of Murray's tours.

ITV later commissioned a game show called 'Fact Hunt'. The show was based on the fictional quiz show mentioned repeatedly throughout 'Time Gentlemen Please'. But instead of being hosted by the character "Cheeky" Alan Supple, it was hosted by the Pub Landlord. Each episode was based on a traditional pub quiz and featured contestants representing different pubs across South England. The first and only series was cancelled after only a few episodes due to low viewership.

ITV would later commission 'Al Murray's Happy Hour', which again was hosted by Murray in his Pub Landlord character. It was a chat show that was frequently compared to The Graham Norton Show on BBC1. While most guests appeared on the show to publicise something, they rarely got a chance to. Murray would get them to mention the thing once, and then he would mock it as a money-making endeavour, and then he would move on.

The original series was only scheduled for 6 episodes, but was extended due to unforeseen popularity.

References

External links

• Time Gentlemen Please entry at BBC Guide to Comedy. (Archived copy provided by the Internet Archive. Retrieved on 2009-11-03. ).
• Time Gentlemen Please at the Internet Movie Database
• Time Gentlemen Please at the British Comedy Guide
• Time Gentlemen Please at TV.com

Lee and Herring Stewart Lee · Richard Herring Lee and Herring The Seven Raymonds · On the Hour · Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World · Radio 1 series · Fist of Fun · This Morning with Richard Not Judy Stewart Lee Attention Scum · Jerry Springer: The Opera · Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle Richard Herring Time Gentlemen Please · That Was Then, This Is Now · Heads Up with Richard Herring · Banter · You Can Choose Your Friends · The Collings and Herrin Podcast · As It Occurs To Me See also Peter Baynham · Kevin Eldon · Emma Kennedy · Andrew Collins · Trevor Lock · Paul Putner · Richard Thomas · Alan Partridge · Real Time

"Time gentlemen please!" was traditionally a way of calling last orders in a pub, although over recent years it been replaced by the ringing of a bell and the calling of "last orders".