Some Joe You Don't Know

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 Greene (Robin Hood) and William Russell (Sir Lancelot) in the 1950s through stars of Masterpiece Theatre, including Robin Ellis and Jean Marsh, to the new generation of British comedy performers such as 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; You Being Served?; Dad's Army; Doctor Who; Review: ?The book is written specifically for an American audience assumed to be unfamiliar with British television.

The articles include full credits for each actor, and for the more prominent individuals, a bibliography of articles from a mix of British and American publications (everything from TV Guide to scholarly books about Patrick McGoohan's strange allegorical television series The Prisoner, which McGoohan both created and starred in).

Above all, these vignettes are mature and well written, and scholarly without being overly sober, flippant, or adulatory. A worthwhile acquisition for any academic or public library.?-Choice