Andrew T. Smith
@andrewtsmith.bsky.social
Writer, filmmaker – Nebula-75, Century 21 Films, Mulgrave Audio, Summer Winos
The 11th of November is one of those rare days without a corresponding Roy Clarke broadcast from history, so here is a Radio Times photo of Roy at home with PC Penrose and Rosie star Paul Greenwood just because. #ClarkeADay
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The 11th of November is one of those rare days without a corresponding Roy Clarke broadcast from history, so here is a Radio Times photo of Roy at home with PC Penrose and Rosie star Paul Greenwood just because. #ClarkeADay
Roy Clarke's 'Spark' premiered on 10/11/97 and starred James Fleet as computer wiz facing up to life without his recently departed mother. The black yet cosy comedy eith a great cast ran for six episodes and was Roy's final original sitcom commission. #ClarkeADay
November 11, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Roy Clarke's 'Spark' premiered on 10/11/97 and starred James Fleet as computer wiz facing up to life without his recently departed mother. The black yet cosy comedy eith a great cast ran for six episodes and was Roy's final original sitcom commission. #ClarkeADay
The 'Last of the Summer Wine' episode "Ferret Come Home" first proposed a tantalising exploration of the Batty household on 9/11/77 – #ClarkeADay
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The 'Last of the Summer Wine' episode "Ferret Come Home" first proposed a tantalising exploration of the Batty household on 9/11/77 – #ClarkeADay
Catching up with #ClarkeADay, on 8/11/19 Still Open All Hours offered up "Eric Finally Goes Camping" – an example of an ensemble driven episode that leads us beyond the confines of the corner shop.
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Catching up with #ClarkeADay, on 8/11/19 Still Open All Hours offered up "Eric Finally Goes Camping" – an example of an ensemble driven episode that leads us beyond the confines of the corner shop.
Reposted by Andrew T. Smith
WAC wrong-headedness
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
WAC wrong-headedness - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Some of you will know that I have been very involved over the past months with attempts to reverse the wrong-headed changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre (above, with...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
WAC wrong-headedness
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
(that's the BBC Written Archives Centre)
I've brought together the key links for the campaign against the changes which now make independent and exploratory research at WAC impossible - and why this matters.
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/wac-wrong-he...
Before he established himself as a sitcom writer, Roy Clarke was carving out a career in television drama. On 7/11/68 his episode of the series 'Mr Rose' premiered. In this instalment William Mervyn's retired Chief Inspector investigated "The Less-Than-Iron Duke". #ClarkeADay
November 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Before he established himself as a sitcom writer, Roy Clarke was carving out a career in television drama. On 7/11/68 his episode of the series 'Mr Rose' premiered. In this instalment William Mervyn's retired Chief Inspector investigated "The Less-Than-Iron Duke". #ClarkeADay
This was an unexpected turn of events. Some time ago, @bobfischer.bsky.social called me to ask if I was free to come & point a camera at a reunion of the once child stars of ITV's Tyneside kids series 'The Paper Lads'. Of course I made sure I was free and the result is now up and running on Youtube.
Howay! Ever wondered what happened to the cast of brilliant 1970s ITV drama The Paper Lads? We managed to reunite them for first time in 50 years! I LOVED doing this... a full hour with JG (Tony Neilson), Baz (Gavin Kitchen), Ian (Andrew Edwards) & Gog (Peter Younger)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rip...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rip...
THE PAPER LADS REUNION – The Making of the 1970s ITV Children's Series
YouTube video by Mulgrave Audio
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This was an unexpected turn of events. Some time ago, @bobfischer.bsky.social called me to ask if I was free to come & point a camera at a reunion of the once child stars of ITV's Tyneside kids series 'The Paper Lads'. Of course I made sure I was free and the result is now up and running on Youtube.
This day in Roy Clarke history, on 6/11/88 viewers were introduced to the legend that was Clem "Smiler" Hemingway for first time in "“That Certain Smile”. Altogether now... "meeeeeeeeuuurrrh..."
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This day in Roy Clarke history, on 6/11/88 viewers were introduced to the legend that was Clem "Smiler" Hemingway for first time in "“That Certain Smile”. Altogether now... "meeeeeeeeuuurrrh..."
Reposted by Andrew T. Smith
Good news, our friends at London's BFI Southbank will be hosting an event with author Richard Marson on December 4 marking the release of our new book Box of Delights, with other special guests to be announced. Tickets go on sale next week at whatson.bfi.org.uk/
October 30, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Good news, our friends at London's BFI Southbank will be hosting an event with author Richard Marson on December 4 marking the release of our new book Box of Delights, with other special guests to be announced. Tickets go on sale next week at whatson.bfi.org.uk/
5/11/95 presented television viewers with another Roy Clarke double, with both 'Last of the Summer Wine' and 'Keeping Up Appearances' offering new episodes on BBC1 – “Brushes at Dawn” and “The Hostess”. #ClarkeADay
November 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
5/11/95 presented television viewers with another Roy Clarke double, with both 'Last of the Summer Wine' and 'Keeping Up Appearances' offering new episodes on BBC1 – “Brushes at Dawn” and “The Hostess”. #ClarkeADay
For today's #ClarkeADay, 4/11/18 saw the premiere of the 'Still Open All Hours' episode “Call in the Admirers”
November 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
For today's #ClarkeADay, 4/11/18 saw the premiere of the 'Still Open All Hours' episode “Call in the Admirers”
On this day – 3/11/91 – the second series of 'Keeping Up Appearances' came to an end with "A Picnic For Daddy" and this steamy bedroom ensemble. #ClarkeADay
November 3, 2025 at 9:54 AM
On this day – 3/11/91 – the second series of 'Keeping Up Appearances' came to an end with "A Picnic For Daddy" and this steamy bedroom ensemble. #ClarkeADay
Reposted by Andrew T. Smith
We're counting down to the release of our new book Box of Delights: The Story of BBC Children's Television, Richard Marson's immersive 500-page history. Here's a first look at the full cover, illustrated by @gkw.bsky.social. Available in paperback and limited edition hardback from tenacrebooks.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
We're counting down to the release of our new book Box of Delights: The Story of BBC Children's Television, Richard Marson's immersive 500-page history. Here's a first look at the full cover, illustrated by @gkw.bsky.social. Available in paperback and limited edition hardback from tenacrebooks.co.uk
On 2/11/94, the eighth of thirteen episodes of Roy Clarke's 'The Wanderer' (!) was screened in the UK. Here are the series' villains looking like they're lost on the way to a mid-afternoon Rocky Horror screening in “Everybody Must Get Stoned”.
November 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
On 2/11/94, the eighth of thirteen episodes of Roy Clarke's 'The Wanderer' (!) was screened in the UK. Here are the series' villains looking like they're lost on the way to a mid-afternoon Rocky Horror screening in “Everybody Must Get Stoned”.
The first #ClarkeADay of November takes us back to the Cafe. Brian Wilde is just perfect in this typical Foggy Dewhurst flight of fancy from "Errol Flynn Used To Have a Pair Like That". First shown on 1/11/93.
November 1, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The first #ClarkeADay of November takes us back to the Cafe. Brian Wilde is just perfect in this typical Foggy Dewhurst flight of fancy from "Errol Flynn Used To Have a Pair Like That". First shown on 1/11/93.
I tried to write an optimistic poem. Emma said it ruined her night. We’re a bit different.
-
Bathroom mirror. Dusty. Smudged.
So too the face within.
Eyes sink. Dim. Fade.
Alters what once I knew as him.
1/3
-
Bathroom mirror. Dusty. Smudged.
So too the face within.
Eyes sink. Dim. Fade.
Alters what once I knew as him.
1/3
November 1, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I tried to write an optimistic poem. Emma said it ruined her night. We’re a bit different.
-
Bathroom mirror. Dusty. Smudged.
So too the face within.
Eyes sink. Dim. Fade.
Alters what once I knew as him.
1/3
-
Bathroom mirror. Dusty. Smudged.
So too the face within.
Eyes sink. Dim. Fade.
Alters what once I knew as him.
1/3
October's #ClarkeADay goes out with a bang thanks to "Where There's Smoke, There's Barbecue", a Summer Wine episode first screened on 31/10/93
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
October's #ClarkeADay goes out with a bang thanks to "Where There's Smoke, There's Barbecue", a Summer Wine episode first screened on 31/10/93
On 30/10/81, Paul Greenwood's 'Rosie' was "Caught in the Act". I find this series such an enigma – lots of episodes, relatively popular, and now almost totally removed from the public consciousness.
October 31, 2025 at 12:05 PM
On 30/10/81, Paul Greenwood's 'Rosie' was "Caught in the Act". I find this series such an enigma – lots of episodes, relatively popular, and now almost totally removed from the public consciousness.
Reposted by Andrew T. Smith
New issue on sale ! Colonel Fawcett's mystery beasts; lucid dreaming; Greek dream oracles; police vs panthers; Colin Wilson; Indian drone panic; haunted furniture; Etsy witches; flat-pack aliens; extreme fart horror; Nosher remembered and much more!
shop.forteantimes.com/current-issue
shop.forteantimes.com/current-issue
October 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM
New issue on sale ! Colonel Fawcett's mystery beasts; lucid dreaming; Greek dream oracles; police vs panthers; Colin Wilson; Indian drone panic; haunted furniture; Etsy witches; flat-pack aliens; extreme fart horror; Nosher remembered and much more!
shop.forteantimes.com/current-issue
shop.forteantimes.com/current-issue
The first episode of 'Keeping Up Appearances', "Daddy's Accident", premiered on BBC1 36 years ago today on 29/10/1989. A lot is very economically established in these opening moments. #ClarkeADay
October 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
The first episode of 'Keeping Up Appearances', "Daddy's Accident", premiered on BBC1 36 years ago today on 29/10/1989. A lot is very economically established in these opening moments. #ClarkeADay
"An Errand Boy by the Footprint", the fourth episode of the fifth series of 'Still Open All Hours' was first screened on 28/10/18 #ClarkeADay
October 29, 2025 at 5:42 PM
"An Errand Boy by the Footprint", the fourth episode of the fifth series of 'Still Open All Hours' was first screened on 28/10/18 #ClarkeADay
Roy Clarke has an endearing fondness for overly involved titles. On the 27/10/70, the BBC broadcast "The Millicent Sisters, Edward de Bruno and Ruth – Where Are They Now?”, an episode of the much more conservatively named anthology series 'Menace' #clarkeaday
October 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Roy Clarke has an endearing fondness for overly involved titles. On the 27/10/70, the BBC broadcast "The Millicent Sisters, Edward de Bruno and Ruth – Where Are They Now?”, an episode of the much more conservatively named anthology series 'Menace' #clarkeaday
Catching up on #ClarkeADay, 26/10/94 saw the broadcast of the seventh episode of 'The Wanderer'. This Polish VHS cover is the only sign I have seen of the series enjoying any sort of afterlife.
October 29, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Catching up on #ClarkeADay, 26/10/94 saw the broadcast of the seventh episode of 'The Wanderer'. This Polish VHS cover is the only sign I have seen of the series enjoying any sort of afterlife.
Blink & you'll miss me, but you'll see plenty of @bobfischer.bsky.social and @mulgraveaudio.bsky.social as part of BBC Breakfast's Haunted Generation feature from this morning. Patchwuff makes an appearance alongside friend Sandra Kerr & he wants you to know that his play is still available to buy!
October 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Blink & you'll miss me, but you'll see plenty of @bobfischer.bsky.social and @mulgraveaudio.bsky.social as part of BBC Breakfast's Haunted Generation feature from this morning. Patchwuff makes an appearance alongside friend Sandra Kerr & he wants you to know that his play is still available to buy!
Granville feeds the masses with a like-new communist toaster in "Catering", an episode of the sixth series of Roy Clarke's 'Still Open All Hours' first screened on 25/10/2019 #ClarkeADay
October 25, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Granville feeds the masses with a like-new communist toaster in "Catering", an episode of the sixth series of Roy Clarke's 'Still Open All Hours' first screened on 25/10/2019 #ClarkeADay