Do Not Adjust Your Set

Do Not Adjust Your Set
source
Show name	Do Not Adjust Your Set
Genre	Surreal comedy, Sketch comedy
Creator	Humphrey Barclay
Starring	David Jason, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Denise Coffey
Composer	The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Num episodes	27
Producer	Humphrey Barclay
Location	Associated-Rediffusion studios, London
Runtime	25 minutes
Company	Associated-Rediffusion
Network	ITV
First aired	26 December 1967
Last aired	14 May 1969

Do Not Adjust Your Set was a pioneering British television comedy programme that blended anarchic sketch comedy with musical performances, aimed ostensibly at children but with a strong appeal to adults. Broadcast on the ITV network, it served as a crucial incubator for several future members of the legendary Monty Python troupe and featured the influential The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. The series is celebrated for its surreal, fast-paced, and absurdist humour, which directly prefigured the style of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Overview

Produced by Associated-Rediffusion and later Thames Television, the series was conceived by producer Humphrey Barclay as a children's programme with sophisticated comedic sensibilities. It aired in a late afternoon slot, following children's programming like Thunderbirds, but its content was densely packed with satirical sketches, bizarre characters, and non-sequiturs. The show's title was a common technical notice displayed on British television screens during faults, setting a tone of playful irreverence towards the medium itself. Its innovative format and willingness to break conventional television comedy rules made it a cult hit and a significant precursor to the British comedy boom of the late 1960s and 1970s.

Cast and characters

The core cast consisted of David Jason, later famous for Only Fools and Horses, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, the latter three becoming founding members of Monty Python. The sole female performer was Denise Coffey, who played numerous roles including the recurring pirate Captain Fantastic. The musical interludes were provided by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, featuring Vivian Stanshall and Neil Innes, the latter of whom would later collaborate extensively with Monty Python and The Rutles. This ensemble created a host of memorable characters, from Jones's and Palin's inept detectives to Idle's manic presentations and Jason's array of grotesque figures, establishing a dynamic comedic chemistry.

Production and broadcast history

The programme was recorded at the Associated-Rediffusion studios in London and first broadcast on 26 December 1967. The initial series was commissioned by Rediffusion London before the franchise transitioned to Thames Television, which produced the second series. Despite its cult status, only 27 episodes were made across two series, with the final episode airing on 14 May 1969. The show's production was contemporary with other groundbreaking comedy shows like At Last the 1948 Show, which featured future Monty Python member Graham Chapman and John Cleese. Its timeslot and perceived audience led to some initial confusion, but it quickly garnered a dedicated following.

Episodes and format

Each episode followed a loose, rapid-fire format combining standalone sketches, recurring segments, and musical performances. Notable recurring features included "The Adventures of Captain Fantastic", a serialized swashbuckler parody, and "The Piranha Brothers", a sketch later reworked for Monty Python's Flying Circus. The The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band performed songs like "Death Cab for Cutie" and "The Intro and the Outro" in surreal settings. The sketches often parished television conventions, advertising, and bureaucracy, with a visual style and editing pace that rejected traditional narrative coherence, heavily influencing the future direction of British television comedy.

Legacy and influence

The programme's primary legacy is as a direct forerunner to Monty Python's Flying Circus, which premiered on the BBC in October 1969, mere months after *Do Not Adjust Your Set* ended. The collaboration between Idle, Jones, Palin, and Neil Innes established creative partnerships that endured for decades. The series is often cited as a key bridge between the satire of That Was the Week That Was and the full-blown surrealism of Python. It also launched David Jason's major television career and preserved the unique comedy of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. The complete series was released on DVD, allowing new generations to appreciate its chaotic and influential humour.

Category:1967 British television series debuts Category:1969 British television series endings Category:ITV children's television programmes Category:British sketch comedy television series