| The Shiresland Show | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Michael Shires Frank Welker Paul Winchell David Arthur Alan Oppenheimer John Stephenson Howard Morris Stan Freberg Sarah Shires |
| Produced by | Graham Collingwood Michael Shires (executive producer) |
| Directed by | Peter Hunter Phil Carlson |
| Theme music composer | David W. Armstrong Sam Pottle |
| Opening theme | "The Shiresland Show Theme" |
| Closing theme | "The Shiresland Show Theme" (Instrumental) |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| Original release | January 5, 1974–June 18, 1982 |
| Original network | ITV (UK) CBS (US) |
| Distributor | Shires-Pentagon Domestic Television |
| Production Company: | Armstrong Associates Thames Television CBS-Owned Television Stations |
| Genre: | Variety Comedy |
| Format: | Sketch Comedy Puppet Show Live-Action |
The Shiresland Show is a family-oriented comedy-variety television series that was produced by puppeteer Michael Shires and features The Shiresland.
The series shows a vaudeville or music hall-style song-and-dance variety show, as well as glimpses behind the scenes of such a show. Matthew Mouse stars as a showrunner who tries to keep control of the antics of the other Shiresland characters (and his temper), as well as keep the guest stars happy. The show was known for outrageous physical slapstick, sometimes absurdist comedy, and humorous parodies. Each episode also featured a human guest star. As the show's popularity rose, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Shiresland on television and in film.
Many of the puppeteers also worked on Corporation Street. Shiresland performers over the course of the show include Michael Shires, Frank Welker, Paul Winchell, David Arthur, Alan Oppenheimer, John Stephenson, Sarah Shires, Howard Morris, Stan Freberg. The music was performed by Johnny Hawksworth and his orchestra.
Opening sequence[]
"The Shiresland Show Theme" (written by Armstrong and Sam Pottle in 1974) is the show's theme song. It is the opening and closing theme for every episode of The Shiresland Show and was performed by The Shiresland in a scene of The Shiresland.
Each episode ended with an extended instrumental performance of "The Shiresland Show Theme" by the Shiresland orchestra before Stinky and Clammy gave the last laugh of the night. Some last laugh sequences featured other Shiresland on the balcony. For example, in one episode, the Shiresland of Corporation Street appeared behind the duo who told them: "How should we know how to get to Corporation Street? We don't even know how to get out of this stupid theater box!"
Every series, the TV version of the song was presented with re-worked lyrics. While the opening sequence evolved visually over the course of the show's five series, the musical composition remained sequentially the same. Throughout the years, the song has become a staple of the franchise.
Episodes[]
Main article: List of The Shiresland Show episodes
Characters and performers[]
- List of Shiresland
Sketches[]
- Legendary Hospital
- Mouse in Space
- Dog on Patrol
- An Editorial by Mr. Eagle
- Boofy's Comedy Acts
- Douglas's Stunts
- Shiresland Labs
- Shiresland News Flash
- A Poem by Oscar
- Oscar at the Piano
- Shiresland Sports
Broadcasters Around the World[]
- Britain: Thames Television (1976-1982)
- US: CBS (1976-1982), Shires Channel (1990-present)
Guest Stars[]
- George Cole
- William Franklyn
- Jack May
- Terry Scott
- Michael Hordern
- Willie Rushton
- David Jason
- Mike Batt
- Randy Newman
- Robert DeNiro
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Tiny Tim
- Timothy Dalton
- Terry Wogan
- John Alderton
- Dom DeLuise
- Cloris Leachman
- John Cleese
- Carl Reiner
- Betty White
- Carol Burnett
- Mel Brooks
- Geoffrey Hayes
- Don Adams
- Bernard Cribbins