Benny Hill References on Other Shows
by Dave Hawkins

References to Benny Hill on Other Shows

Benny Hill was a very popular comedian loved the world over. His style of comedy was very recognisable on other programs. Be it a style of sketch or a mention of Mr Hills' name within the program. Here are a few of my favourites.

The Two Ronnies (1976)

My Secret by Pam Ayres

Funny quicky by Ronnie Barker who as Pam Ayres reads us a poem about her well kept secret. She's Benny Hill in drag.

The Kenny Everett Video Cassette (1981)

This scene features Kenny Everett playing a Japanese barber with Debbie Lyndon and also Micheal Aspel as his customer. Kenny talks about how much he loves Benny Hill and loves it when Benny does his Japanese character (Mr. Chow Mein), saying 'Stupid Iriot'. The sketch ends up with a Benny style chase down the corridors of Thames Television, accompanied by Yakety Sax. Then they all bow down it front of a picture of the lad himself. That would not be the last reference to Benny Hill. During the same series, he did a sketch called "The Surefire Boob Joke". Boob jokes that can be found in the works of Benny Hill and Ronnie Barker. In 1983, he would again reference Benny Hill as knowing what showbiz is all about. This was a sketch where, instead of trying to think of ways to include a girl in a sketch wearing very little, he had all four of his girls out in their trademark underwear. The Girl at his feet is Jane Eve (Colthorpe), who had been on Benny's show as part of Love Machine.

Smith and Jones (1984)

This sketch was shown on their very first show, when Smith and Jones became a TV double act. The sketch is a spoof of a BBC play. Not sure which play, but it is set during a depressing time, around the early 1900's with a family around a grave during a Funeral. Out of the grave pops Mel Smith as Benny Hill, who goes on to rip the dresses off of all the women at the graveside. It ends in a hospital, with Benny ripping off the clothes of everyone, including the vicar.

QI (2009)

Talking about French battles at first then... Phil says, "People flicking over to this channel may think they are seeing a Benny Hill retrospective". This is followed by Stephen Fry doing a Fred Scuttle salute and Phil giving us his Scuttle impression. "We miss him dearly", said Stephen. "The world needs Benny."

The Paul Hogan Show (1978)

Paul Hogan was called Australia's answer to Benny Hill. He had his own show in Australia with Benny-style silent sketches. Like Benny, he only did specials. In 1978, he wondered what it would be like if Hawaii Five-0 was written and directed by Benny Hill. Paul Hogan came up with this.