Line #44 Radio/RoundTheHorne


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3	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_cast_of_round_the_horne.jpg]]
4	[[caption-width-right:350:Left to right: Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Horne, Betty Marsden, Douglas Smith]]
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6	''Round the Horne'' was a 1960s British radio comedy starring Kenneth Horne, Creator/KennethWilliams, Hugh Paddick, Creator/BettyMarsden, Creator/BillPertwee, and their announcer Douglas Smith. The main writers were Barry Took and Creator/MartyFeldman. The show was a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Beyond Our Ken'', which had featured many of the same cast but a different head writer; when he left it was decided to revamp the series with a new title and characters.
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8	It took the form of a ramshackle local {{variety show}} with Kenneth Horne as MC, with sketches, songs, incomprehensible public service announcements, and "the answers to last week's questions" (the questions themselves were never actually announced). DoubleEntendre and corny old gags were rife, and sketches frequently appeared to break down into out-of-character bickering about the size of the parts and the quality of the scripts.
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10	The show was also populated by a collection of eccentric local characters (actually played by the cast, but treated as separate people within the show and never broke character). These included the folk singer Rambling Syd Rumpo, whose songs were peppered with incomprehensible words that sounded like they'd be extremely rude if one only knew what they meant; J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, the world's dirtiest DirtyOldMan; and the show's breakout stars, the perpetually out-of-work actors Julian and Sandy, who were originally only supposed to appear in a single sketch but wound up returning in nearly every episode for the rest of the series.
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12	Was scheduled to return in 1969 for a fifth series but Kenneth Horne died of a heart attack aged 61 in February of that year. They tried to run the series under a new name, with Kenneth Williams as the main focus, but it didn't take off.
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14	BBC Four broadcast stage performances of the original scripts in 2004.
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16	Not to be confused with ''Series/AroundTheHorn'', the ESPN sports pundit show.
17	----
18	!!The series provides examples of:
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20	* AccentRelapse:
21	** Horne visits the mysterious "Exotica", who initially speaks in a sultry French accent, until she drops it for a regular English accent instead.
22	** Kenneth Williams would "break character" as Chou-En Ginsberg and use Williams's own, actual accent on occasion, such as when complaining about Lotus Blossom.
23	* AcquiredErrorAtThePrinter: Quite a few, both in the narrative and as alleged typos in the script:
24	** Gruntfuttock tries to advertise himself as a window washer specializing in bathroom windows. But the newspaper ends up listing him as a widow washer.
25	** In the ''Literature/MobyDick'' parody, Captain Ahab accuses his crew of thinking that he's a raving madam.
26	** In the ''{{Literature/Cinderella}}'' parody, the title character is visited by her Fairy Odmother.
27	* AmbiguouslyGay: Julian and Sandy are textbook cases: walking camp stereotypes, not to mention speech peppered with [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari Polari]], but it's never actually stated that they're gay, and indeed the subject of sexuality is never discussed, only sniggeringly alluded to. In what turned out to be the final episode, they casually reveal that they both have wives.
28	* AsHimself:
29	** Kenneth Horne always acted as if he was himself, even in the main sketches where he's usually playing a part. (A lot like Neddie Seagoon, except even more of a StraightMan).
30	** Douglas Smith really was a BBC {{continuity announce\|ment}}r, who were VERY strait-laced at this period.
31	* AuthorityInNameOnly: His Holiness, J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock the First, of the Kingdom of Peasemoldia, a micro-nation consisting of his house and some of the surrounding neighbourhood, and a citizenship of three citizens, Gruntfuttock himself included.
32	* AwfulWeddedLife: J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock and his wife Buttercup, who bicker viciously with one another whenever they visit the show.
33	%%* BadBadActing: Douglas Smith, nominally just the announcer, whenever he was called on to play a small role in a sketch.
34	%%* BawdySong: Rambling Syd Rumpo's songs.
35	* BitingTheHandHumor: Many, many jokes are made at the expense of the Beeb. Especially the then-new BBC 2. Many, ''many'' jokes.
36	* BlackWidow: Mrs. Cunterblast, many times (many, many times). Some of those many, ''many'' times were, admittedly, her own work, and which she freely admits to. And some weren't.
37	* BookEnds: Every "Horne's Law" sketch begins and ends with him in his office playing with his secretary.
38	* {{Bowdlerization}}: Played for laughs in one ''Kenneth Horne, Secret Agent'' sketch, where the executives censor a word in the script. Whatever word it is, Smith tells Horne it keeps his character busy for several weeks.
39	-->'''Horne:''' Four weeks?!\
40	'''Smith:''' I saw the line that was cut. You'll need every moment of it.
41	* BrickJoke: So very many.
42	* BrutalHonesty: One of the Secret Spy sketches deals with a horrific outbreak of Truth, so newscasters commenting on society weddings comment on how much they hate everyone involved, and judges admit to their own crimes in court. Naturally, it's the work of Chou-En Ginsberg.
43	* ButHeSoundsHandsome: In the credits for the last episode of series 1, Douglas Smith takes the time to credit himself as a "hot young newcomer" when he very clearly isn't.
44	* CatchPhrase:
45	** All the recurring characters had one; probably the most famous was "Hello, I'm Julian and this is my friend Sandy."
46	** "Gruntfuttock. Gruntfuttock. 's not hyphenated."
47	** Mrs. Gruntfuttock introducing herself by bellowing "'ALLO, CHEEKYFACE!"
48	** "Many times. Many times. Many, many, ''many'' times. Many times."
49	* CensoredForComedy: One of Dr. Chou-En Ginsberg's fiendish schemes is messing with BBC broadcasts with conveniently timed buzzing, making what's left sound both inexplicable and much filthier.
50	* CoolAndUnusualPunishment:
51	** When the rest of the cast threatens to mutiny, Horne demands that they stand down or he'll read from a script of ''The Clitheroe Kid''. After a couple of lines, they capitulate.
52	** In the Knights of the Round Table sketch, King Arthur discovers Guinevere in a tryst with Sir Mincealot. He decrees that they must be punished. The set up description of the next scene gives the impression that they'll be burned at the stake. However, it turns out the stakes are actually steaks and the punishment is that a barbecue is being held and Guinevere and Mincealot haven't been invited.
53	* CluelessDetective: One sketch has Horne investigating murders, and fails to notice the man who is the killer even when he boasts about how he's done it and plans to do more murders right in Horne's face.
54	* DeadlyGame: Germany's most popular radio show begins with a contestant being tortured to answer a question, before being offered a mystery box, which could be ''anything''... it turns out to be a bomb.
55	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: Charles and Fiona were prone to this.
56	-->'''Charles:''' I know.
57	-->'''Fiona:''' I know you know.
58	-->'''Charles:''' I know you know I know.
59	-->'''Fiona:''' Yes, I know.
60	%%* DirtyOldMan: J. Peasemold Gruntfuttock, undoubtedly. He even calls in the show to complain about its discriminatory practices towards dirty old men.
61	* TheDividual: Julian and Sandy always appear and act together.
62	* DontExplainTheJoke: In one sketch, where Kenneth Williams acts out two characters, Smith interrupts to explain this to the audience when they start engaging in a bout of ButHeSoundsHandsome.
63	* DoomyDoomsOfDoom: Spasm the butler, in the recurring skit "The Clissold Saga", took every opportunity to declare that doom was upon them.
64	%%* DoubleEntendre
65	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the first few shows, the trends segment comes before the Frazier Hayes Four singing, and there's no sign of Julian and Sandy, who first appear in episode 3.
66	* EvilIsPetty: Doctor Chou-En Ginsberg starts blocking out BBC Radio because they wouldn't give him a job.
67	* ExactWords: In one of the PoliceProcedural sketches, a person of interest being interrogated is asked to tell them everything he knows. He does exactly that, starting with minutiae about grass species indigenous to New Zealand.
68	* FauxDocumentary: The 'Backroom Boys of the BBC' sketches were essentially this.
69	* FauxHorrific: One "Horne's Law" sketch has him investigating the mysterious disappearance of Edwin Braden, only for a police officer to tell him they've found what's happened; he's alive and well. This is apparently ''far worse'' than his being dead or missing.
70	* FictionalHoliday: The public service announcements often featured unusual festivals and commemorations, such as Immerse An Orangutan In Porridge Week.
71	* FlatJoy: Lotus Blossum sings entirely deadpan, including when singing "The Hoky-Poky".
72	%%* FolkMusic: Rambling Syd Rumpo.
73	* ForTheEvulz: One of Chou's schemes has him making rockets to launch cold porridge into the atmosphere because... well, what else is he supposed to do with several hundred pounds of cold porridge?
74	* GratuitousFrench: The writers were quite fond of using [[CatchPhrase your actual French.]]
75	%%* HaveAGayOldTime: Played absolutely deliberately
76	* HearingVoices: Gruntfuttock claims he is led by "the voices" to his latest odd action. Funnily enough, they usually only start speaking to him after he's left the pub...
77	* HisNameIs: Used several times in a parody of film noir, yet usually the afflicted have time to say a few more things before dying.
78	* HostileShowTakeover: The villain of a film noir parody is... Kenneth Williams, determined to kill Horne and take over the show. He's foiled by Douglas Smith shooting him.
79	* HypocriticalHumour: Just as Citizen Gruntfuttock's wife is insisting he's a lovely man, he screams at her to shut up.
80	* ICouldaBeenAContender: Several sketches have Kenneth Williams "breaking character" to whine about his part in the sketch isn't doing his career any good.
81	* InherentlyFunnyWords:
82	** Gruntfuttock.
83	** Cephalopod.
84	** Lummock.
85	** Rambling Syd Rumpo's entire purpose is to say nonsensical words which, in his hands, sound either silly or suspiciously dirty. Or both.
86	* InheritanceMurder: Spoofed, when one sketch is Horne investigating murders at a theatre. The culprit is Williams's character, who is several millionth in line to the throne, but is determined to murder his way up there and become queen.
87	* InteractiveNarrator: Douglas Smith is this. Oh '''boy''', is he this...
88	* IReadItForTheArticles: One of the running gags is Kenneth Horne mentioning some absurd and often vaguely smutty-sounding publication and claiming to read it for the crossword/spot the ball competition/etc.
89	-->"Recently I was leafing through my copy of ''Throw off Your Clothes and Live'' -- I buy it for the chess problems..."
90	-->"The other day, as I was glancing through my copy of ''Forbidden Flesh Weekly'' - ''(pause for scandalised laughter from the audience)'' - it's a vegetarian magazine..."
91	%%* JapaneseRanguage: Played appallingly straight with Doctor Chou-En Ginsberg.
92	* LarynxDissonance: Lotus Blossom, played by Hugh Paddick with a deep raspy voice.
93	%%* MediumAwareness: Especially in the Kenneth Horne, Secret Spy sketches.
94	* MonumentalTheft: Among the capers pulled off by Chou-En Ginsberg are the thefts of the Eiffel Tower (forcing Parisian gift shops to sell miniatures of a hole in the ground) and Big Ben (substituting it with a cuckoo clock).
95	* MoralGuardians: The series fell afoul of them. Including at least one MP who was outraged by their making a joke about Queen Victoria, and arch-Moral Guardian Mary Whithouse.
96	* MorallyAmbiguousDoctorate: Parodied with recurring villain Doctor Chou-En Ginsberg, M.A. (failed).
97	* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: One sketch ends with Horne assuring listeners that the people depicted were "alive or dead or Kenneth Williams."
98	* NewJobAsThePlotDemands: Julian and Sandy tried a new job every week while waiting for their acting careers to pick up. The standard set-up for their sketches was for Kenneth Horne to enter a shop or some other place of business and discover that, coincidentally, it was the place where Julian and Sandy were working this week.
99	* NoodleIncident:
100	** Answers to Last Week's Questions often ventured into this territory. What the questions were to cause such outlandish answers was never revealed.
101	*** On one occasion, the question and answer was straightforward...'Complete the following lyric...These boots were made for.". However, Kenneth Horne expressed his disgust at some of the wrong answers he received and we never quite found out what one viewer suggested his boots were made for..only that Kenneth Horne considered it his own fault if the soles rotted.
102	** After the 'Julian and Sandy' bits, which always started by Kenneth Horne recounting why he walked into the business of the week, the show would sometimes come back to the present, with him finishing "... and that, Ladies and Gentlemen on the jury, is why I am standing here today" (or similar). Why it was that the Julian and Sandy punchline caused the trial was never explained.
103	* NotEvenBotheringWithTheAccent: Kenneth Horne plays every part in his own voice, except Asians, a fact often lampshaded in the script.
104	* TheNudifier: In the {{Literature/Cinderella}} parody, the Fairy Godmother's wand doesn't work properly and causes Cinderella's rags to disappear without conjuring anything to replace them.
105	* OnlyTheAuthorCanSaveThemNow: One "Kenneth Horne, Secret Spy" sketch has him call on Douglas Smith to save him. Smith obliges, and narrates Kenneth freeing himself.
106	* {{Parody}}: Everything from ''Literature/MobyDick'' to ''Film/BriefEncounter''. The plays Charles and Fiona star in are caricatures of Creator/NoelCoward's style.
107	* ParrotExposition: Faced with a mysterious woman in front of him, Horne wonders if she is the sultry Ramona, whose arms have led many a man to their deaths. She confirms that she is indeed the sultry Ramona, whose arms have led many a man to their death.
108	* PlayingATree: Douglas Smith is oft called upon to do this, such as playing an aging ship. He says "creak" with the same monotone as everything else, but Kenneth Williams still breaks character to complain about his preferential treatment.
109	* PottyEmergency: In the ChristmasEpisode, Horne is offered a non-alcoholic punch recipe for his Christmas party which uses ingredients known for their laxative properties.
110	* PreviouslyOn: Spoofed. The "previously on" segments have nothing to do with whatever happened last week, and are divorced from all sanity, inevitably ending with a disparaging introduction for Horne.
111	* {{Pun}}:
112	** Any introduction of Doctor Chou-En Ginsberg begins with him going "Ah, Horne" and being met with the response "ah, Chou".
113	** Detective Horne's conversation is basically a lead-up to a play on "pinched my ass".
114	* RunningGag: Phew, where do we start?
115	** Kenneth Williams breaking character to rant about how he's not being ''serviced'' ("I need ''servicin'''").
116	** Any mention of Edwin Braden is met with Kenneth Williams calling him a "great 'airy [derogatory remark]".
117	** Whenever a question is asked, it's followed by "Answers on a postcard, care of the BBC..."
118	** Douglas Smith going off on narcissistic tangents.
119	** "Many times. Many, many times."
120	* SayingSoundEffectsOutLoud: Douglas Smith playing a cat says "meow" in total deadpan.
121	* SelfDeprecatingHumour:
122	** Shots are often made at Horne's appearance and age, particularly his lack of hair.
123	** In the last episode of the first series, Williams breaks character once more to complain that the writers suck and need to be replaced.
124	* SerialEscalation: The "Kenneth Horne, Secret Agent" sketches have Douglas Smith going with ever-increasing time skips whenever Horne encounters the girl of the week (many times. Many, many times), starting with hours, then days, then finally weeks, much to Horne's surprise and alarm.
125	* ShoutOut: [[Theatre/TheImportanceOfBeingEarnest "A handbaaaag?"]]
126	* StraightMan: Kenneth Horne. (Not like that! Although, admittedly, when he's up against [[CampGay Julian and Sandy]]...)
127	* StrappedToAnOperatingTable: Occurs in a horror movie parody.
128	-->'''Female Victim:''' Why have you strapped me to this operating table?\
129	'''Mad Scientist:''' Call it an old man's whim.\
130	'''Female Victim:''' All right -- why have you strapped me to this old man's whim?
131	* TakeThatCritics: At one point the show takes a shot at Mary Whitehouse, specifically using one of her complaints against the show, namely Kenneth William's "emphasis on certain words" by having the characters reading stage directions out loud that stress care on their emphasis of certain words.
132	* ThemeNaming: All of Julian and Sandy's business tended to be called 'Bona' followed by whatever the business dealt with.
133	* ThoseWackyNazis: A look into Germany's most popular radio game show gets off to a ''very'' suspicious start when the introduction is stock recording of people chanting "sieg heil".
134	* UnexplainedAccent: One of the many mysteries surrounding the exotic beauty of Lotus Blossom is that in addition to her deep, gravelly voice is that she also talks like a Cockney.
135	* UnInstallment: One of the show's spoof dramas jumped from part one to part three, with the explanation that "you wouldn't have liked part two - it was all plot." On another occasion, a Three Musketeers spoof stretched over two shows; in the show after that, it was announced "At this point we were going to do The Three Musketeers part three... But we got fed up with that."
136	* UnusualEuphemism: Rambling Syd Rumpo's act was peppered with invented words that sounded in context like they were euphemisms for something.
137	* WhoWritesThisCrap: Sketches are often interrupted by a cast member, usually Kenneth Williams, complaining about the quality of the script or that he's been given a part that doesn't allow him to show off the full range of his talents.
138	** Kenneth Williams and Barry Took said in the years since the show aired that all of Williams' "ad-libs," especially those complaining about the material, were actually in the script. None of your actual ad-libbing was ever in the show.
139	* YellowPeril: Parodied with the villainous [[Literature/FuManchu Dr Chou En Ginsberg, MA (failed)]] and his concubine, the lovely (but suspiciously deep-voiced) Lotus Blossom.

Context Radio / RoundTheHorne