TV Worth Blogging
by David Thiel, Program Director for WILL-TV
An insider's view of public television programming and the issues that help determine what and how you watch
Molly Sugden Dies
Molly Sugden, best known to WILL-TV viewers as "Mrs. Slocombe" on the long-running British comedy Are You Being Served?, has died at age 86, according to BBC News. She is the second AYBS? cast member to pass away this year, the first being Wendy Richard, who played "Miss Brahms."
Sugden was introduced to WILL-TV's audience in June 1989 when the series enjoyed its local premiere. With her signature multi-hued hair, Sugden's character was a mainstay of our schedule throughout the '90s until we rested AYBS? in December 2001. The comedy returned last year when it was selected by viewers during our annual Britcom Vote.
Her reign as a queen of TV comedy lasted much longer in Britain, beginning with a 1962 series entitled Hugh and I. She continued to make televised appearances into the early 2000s.
What a sad year. The two post-10pm Britcoms have lost most of their original members. For me, Molly Sugden was the heart of the series. I’ve seen it through probably half a dozen times and it still makes me laugh. Thank you for this show, and I hope you keep showing it.
Happily, one of the original cast of AYBS?, Nicholas Smith (“Mr. Rumbold”) is not only very much alive, but will be visiting Champaign-Urbana this September! He’ll be live in our studio on Thursday evening, September 3 to co-host an AYBS? marathon. We’re also planning some sort of ticketed event that will give viewers a chance to meet him in person!
Stay tuned to WILL-TV, and/or this web site, for more details as they become available!
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