Some Joe You Don’t Know: An American Biographical Guide to 100 British Television Personalities

Americans have been watching and enjoying British television programming since the mid-1950s, but the information on the personalities involved is difficult, if not impossible, to find in the United States. This guide provides biographical essays, complete with bibliographies, on 100 of the best-known and loved actors and actresses, from Richard Green (Robin Hood) and William Russell (Sir Lancelot) in the 1950s through stars of Masterpiece Theatre , including Robin Ellis and Jean March, to the new generation of British comedy performers, such Alexei Sayle and Jennifer Saunders. Not only are serious dramatic actors and actresses, such as Joan Hickson and Roy Marsden, to be found here, but also the great comedy stars, including Benny Hill and John Inman. Among the many shows discussed in the text are: Absolutely Fabulous , Are You Being Served? , Dad’s Army , Doctor Who , EastEnders , Fawlty Towers , Upstairs, Downstairs and Yes, Minister . The guide offers not only factual information, but also samplings of contemporary critical commentary and in-depth interviews with Terence Alexander, Richard Briers, Benny Hill, Wendy Richard, Prunella Scales and Moray Watson. This reference source should serve as an entree into the world of British television. Anthony Slide is the author of The Encyclopedia of Vaudeville , The Television Industry: A Historical Dictionary and The American Film Industry: A Historical Dictionary .