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Topic: Sheila Hancock

Message 1 / 3
Robert L. TorresJul 30, 2007
 

 
As I've done many times before, I think it's high time to talk about
someone who is definitely a well recognized presence on the series as
a whole from the show's early beginnings, and even now to some
degree, the lovely and talented Sheila Hancock.

What can I say about this exceptionally talented woman? Well, like
Andree Melly, she was intelligent, witty, and just exceptionally
charming as well and could stand up for herself exceedingly well
against people like Kenneth and Derek, which is why she is frequently
asked back to appear on the series.

she possessed a great degree of passion as well and wasn't afraid to
pull up Nicholas for his inconsistencies in his judgements, because
there have been many times when she has had the subject wrongfully
taken away from her. One such example was in an episode from 1971,
where the subject was 'Sheep's Eyes', Kenneth challenged her on
deviation but Nicholas asked him, 'what are you getting her on,
repetition of 'lunch'? Kenneth's like 'what?' and then Nick repeats
the prompt to which Kenneth changes his mind to say 'that's what I
meant' and Sheila is all like 'That's not fair, he didn't know that!'

and Nick in his patronizing manner says 'you are winning Sheila, but
I think it's time for Kenneth to be generous to Kenneth', which made
absolutely no sense no matter how you slice it.

it just seemed again Nicholas wasn't displaying fairness, he just
wanted Kenneth to finish the show even though by rights Sheila
should've been allowed to finish the show.

there have been plenty of times when Sheila has also played loosely
with things to gain bonus points, but never did. She could be just
as humourous and informative in her talks and she could struggle to
keep the subjects or wrangle over points, but more often it was to
try and get her point of view across even though people kept on
interrupting her and she could never get a word in edgeways.

One particular episode I remember that showcased Sheila's
exasperation for the show had to do with a show in the mid to late
70's, I forget who was on the panel, but I think that Peter Jones was
on the panel, and the subject I think was 'breakages', and she kept
on trying to tell a story and kept on getting interrupted and at one
point she tries to finish it starts off by saying 'She had all her
dishes in this machine', gets interrupted again by Peter Jones who
cries out 'WHO DID, we don't know anything about this person!' And
Sheila is all like 'I've been trying to tell you. I've said my pal,
I"ve said my mate, I couldn't use the word friend again cuz I
repeated it all' 'Yes, but we don't know anything about it
though' 'Well if you'd shut your face, I'll tell you!'

It's amazing to note that it would be Sheila rather than Aimi
MacDonald or Andree Melly who would ultimately make the leap into the
new millennium, performing opposite Paul Merton and Graham Norton.
of course this came about after a very long absence from the show
itself, which had been brought upon by Kenneth's death in 1988, which
prompted Sheila's self-imposed exile from the series itself.

it was very much evident that Sheila and Kenneth were very close
friends, and his passing affected her very deeply, which is not
surprising that she would feel uncomfortable to be on the show
without him there.

But ultimately she did return to the series, and even took part in
the 35th anniversary special, and as I seem to recall there were
times when Sheila tried to challenge Graham several times without
much success, only because Nicholas wouldn't allow her to have the
subject even though technically she was correct. But then in that
self same episode I think she was giving the subject about taking
care of the baby or something to that notion, she was talking about
babies in the plural even though the subject was in the singular, and
Sheila stood her ground and pretty much said 'Don't you dare take it
away from me, that was a rotten challenge!' and Sheila even had the
audience on her side, because of all the challenges that Nicholas
denied giving to Sheila in the program so far.

One of the great aspects of Sheila's personality was her very strong
stance as a feminist and this frequently arose in the show,
especially with the likes of Kenneth and Derek taking up such
chauvinistic propaganda at times, creating debates and arguments to
which the show would become a battleground for the sexes to hilarious
degree.

she may not have been a comedianne, but she has done much for
representing a strong female presence on the show and helped pave the
way for more women to appear on the show, in spite of Kenneth's usual
tirade that 'they should never have women on this show'.

One can only hope that we might hear more from her in the future,
especially with the way Tilusha Ghelani is running things. :)

 
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Topic: Re:Sheila Hancock

Message 2 / 3
Vicki WalkerJul 31, 2007
 

 
William Rushton was the guest panelist on the 1975 "if you'll shut your face I'll tell you" show. I can't remember whether Clement or Kenneth was the fourth -- which is scary because I think I transcribed it for Dean!

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<<<<   1134   >>>>

Topic: Re: Re:Sheila Hancock

Message 3 / 3
Robert TorresJul 31, 2007
 

 
ah, now I remember, now that you mentioned Willy Rushton, I remember that the other panelists aside from Sheila were Peter Jones and Kenneth Williams. 

Vicki Walker <juliajellicoe@...> wrote:

William Rushton was the guest panelist on the 1975 "if you'll shut your face I'll tell you" show. I can't remember whether Clement or Kenneth was the fourth -- which is scary because I think I transcribed it for Dean!

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