'Three Of A Kind' crept unheralded into B. B. C.-1's schedules in 1981, and, yet by the time of its third season two years later it was firmly established as one of the most popular comedy sketch shows on the air.
It is easy to see why. Other than Lenny Henry ( familiar to viewers because of 'New Faces', 'The Fosters' and 'Tiswas' ), the cast - Tracey Ullman and David Copperfield - had had little or no T. V. exposure, giving the show an unmistakable freshness.
Various recurring characters developed; there was Henry's Rastafarian rap artist 'Fred Dread', Copperfield's 'Medallion Man', all gold rings and sharp suits, typified the 80's, while Ullman's upper-class trendy 'Ros' gave the world the exclamation "Ya!".
Alternative humour this was not; even though Ben Elton and Angus Deayton were among the writers, some of the sketches ( such as 'Australian Blue Peter' ) could have come out of 'Russ Abbot's Madhouse'. One very funny item parodied the sickly pop group 'Dollar' ( or 'Dollop' as they were renamed, with Ullman as 'Thereze Bazar' and Copperfield as 'David Van Day'. The sketch accurately predicted Van Day joining Bucks Fizz! ), another took off the American series 'Fame'. Other comedians, such as Kenny Everett and Benny Hill, took a kicking. Musical acts abounded, including Toyah and Thin Lizzy.
After it ended, Henry landed his own show, Ullman went to the States, only Copperfield failed to achieve the expected solo stardom which was indeed a shame.
'Three Of A Kind' glittered like a 500W light bulb during its short run, ensuring it is fondly remembered by a generation of thirty somethings.
It is easy to see why. Other than Lenny Henry ( familiar to viewers because of 'New Faces', 'The Fosters' and 'Tiswas' ), the cast - Tracey Ullman and David Copperfield - had had little or no T. V. exposure, giving the show an unmistakable freshness.
Various recurring characters developed; there was Henry's Rastafarian rap artist 'Fred Dread', Copperfield's 'Medallion Man', all gold rings and sharp suits, typified the 80's, while Ullman's upper-class trendy 'Ros' gave the world the exclamation "Ya!".
Alternative humour this was not; even though Ben Elton and Angus Deayton were among the writers, some of the sketches ( such as 'Australian Blue Peter' ) could have come out of 'Russ Abbot's Madhouse'. One very funny item parodied the sickly pop group 'Dollar' ( or 'Dollop' as they were renamed, with Ullman as 'Thereze Bazar' and Copperfield as 'David Van Day'. The sketch accurately predicted Van Day joining Bucks Fizz! ), another took off the American series 'Fame'. Other comedians, such as Kenny Everett and Benny Hill, took a kicking. Musical acts abounded, including Toyah and Thin Lizzy.
After it ended, Henry landed his own show, Ullman went to the States, only Copperfield failed to achieve the expected solo stardom which was indeed a shame.
'Three Of A Kind' glittered like a 500W light bulb during its short run, ensuring it is fondly remembered by a generation of thirty somethings.