Do Not Adjust Your Set facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Do Not Adjust Your Set |
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| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 29 |
| Production | |
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| Producer(s) | Rediffusion London (Series 1) Thames Television (Series 2) |
| Running time | c. 25 minutes (excluding commercials) |
| Distributor | Archbuild Limited (Series 1) Fremantle (Series 2) |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 26 December 1967 – 14 May 1969 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | At Last the 1948 Show (1967) |
Do Not Adjust Your Set (often called DNAYS) was a funny British TV show. It was shown on the ITV channel from December 26, 1967, to May 14, 1969. The show's name came from a message that used to appear on TV screens. This message would pop up when there was a problem with the TV signal.
This show was important because it featured early performances by many famous actors. These included Denise Coffey, David Jason, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin later became part of the super-famous comedy group Monty Python.
Even though DNAYS was first planned for children, many adults loved it too. Some future Monty Python members, like John Cleese and Graham Chapman, were big fans.
Contents
What Was Do Not Adjust Your Set?
Do Not Adjust Your Set was a sketch comedy show. This means it was made up of many short, funny scenes. These scenes were often strange, dream-like, and didn't always connect in a clear way. This unique style was very similar to Monty Python's Flying Circus, which started soon after DNAYS ended.
The show also featured the music group The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. They would perform a song or two in each episode. They also often appeared in the sketches as extra characters.
The Stars of the Show
The cast of DNAYS was full of talented people who became very well-known.
- Denise Coffey was a versatile actress.
- David Jason later became a huge star in shows like Only Fools and Horses.
- Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin went on to create Monty Python.
A special artist named Terry Gilliam created strange and funny animations for the later episodes. These animations were shown between the sketches. Terry Gilliam also joined the Monty Python team, bringing his unique animation style to their show. Some of his animations from DNAYS even appeared again in Monty Python.
Captain Fantastic: A Hero Parody
One very popular part of DNAYS was a mini-series called Captain Fantastic. This was a funny take on superhero stories. David Jason played Captain Fantastic, who went on unusual and sometimes dark adventures. His main enemy was a villainess named Mrs. Black, played by Denise Coffey.
These Captain Fantastic parts were filmed outside in London. Kids especially loved them. When DNAYS finished, Captain Fantastic was so popular that it continued for a short time as its own show.
Awards and Legacy
In 1968, Do Not Adjust Your Set won an international award called the Prix Jeunesse. This award was given in Munich, Germany. It showed that the show was recognized for its quality and creativity around the world.
The show is remembered as an important step towards the famous Monty Python's Flying Circus. It helped develop the surreal and clever comedy style that Monty Python became known for.
Episodes and What Remains
Do Not Adjust Your Set had two series and a few special episodes.
- The first series was made by Rediffusion. It had 13 episodes and an introductory special. These were shown from December 1967 to March 1968.
- The second series and a Christmas special were made by Thames Television. The Christmas special, "Do Not Adjust Your Stocking," was 40 minutes long. The second series had 13 episodes and aired from February to May 1969.
Sadly, like many old TV shows, a lot of DNAYS episodes were wiped. This means the original recordings were erased or lost. Because of this, many episodes of DNAYS are still missing today.
