Tarquin's Comedy Heroes

Well hello fair viewers. After a brief absence, I’m back with a vengeance; your mustalid tour guide of television past and present. So, this week, to get myself out of my misery, I have been contemplating those folk who never fail to make us laugh. Buckle up kiddies, it’s time for Tarquin’s comedy legends!


10. Mork From Ork (Mork and Mindy/Happy Days)

In at number ten is an old classic. The role that made Robin Williams’ career remains to this day some of his finest work. Before he got complacent and old, Williams brought to hyper-active life the child-minded Mork, exploding onto the screen with his crazy misadventures.


9. Reginald the Koala (American Dad!)

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlen has given us som of the greatest comedy moments of the last few years, and through some truly fine characters. But for me, the pinnacle has to be the “cute as a button” hobo-turned-koala-turned-FBI operative Reginald. Smooth-talking and smart-mouthed, Reginald is a cameo role that leaves you longing for more.

8. Sir Digby Chicken Caesar (That Mitchell and Webb Look)

An alcoholic tramp convinced he is a Victorian detective, sworn to save the world from the clutches of his Nemesis, Sir Digby is the highlight of the delightful That Mitchell and Webb Look. Partnered with the equally inebriated Ginger, Sir Digby is a true gentleman thief.

7. Judge Fudge (Drawn Together/The Judge Fudge Power Hour)

What could be more appealing than a 70s crime fighting judge, made entirely of fudge? Whether tempted by a bevy of busty black booty, or staking out some drug ring, the Judge is always happy to help, unless of course he’s too busy… Being delicious.

6. Stouffer (The Harry Hill Show)

It’s often puzzled me exactly where Harry Hill found the blue plastic cat puppet that would soon after become Hill’s hilarious partner in crime (“that’s right Stouffer, you help”). With his allegedly psychic abilities, and nine lives spanning history, Stouffer has unfortunately somewhat retired since Hill’s move to ITV, but hopefully he shall continue to star in Hill’s annual stage shows.

5. Bob Bobertson (The Everyday Happenings of Wobbl and Bob)

Having starred alongside his inimitable best friend Weebl in many an internet cartoon, the hard done by young genius Bob Bobertson soon found himself on MTV’s Wobbl and Bob (“Weebl” obviously being a trademark of the Fisher Price corporation). With his handy tips on life, and an addiction to pie, Bob continues his legacy at Weebls-stuff.com, so check it out.

4. Salem Saberhagen (Sabrina the Teenage Witch)

“Thank god it’s Fridya!” – a phrase that punctuated my teenage years. Salem is a true work of brilliance; from his early days as a glorified sock puppet, to his later incarnation as a fully animatronic cat, world-wanting warlock turned four-legged feline Salem Saberhagen was brought to life by the hilarious Nick Bakay and truly made the otherwise often rather lame Sabrina worth watching. Especially past season 4.


3. Douglas Reynholme (The IT Crowd)

Once again Matt Berry’s name graces the pages of Silver Screen Lining, this time as the boss… Indeed your boss at The IT Crowd’s Reynholme Industries. Sex crazed and completely oblivious to the world around him, Douglas replaced his father Denholme (Chris Morris) at the beginning of season two, bringing a fresh and classical Berry flavour to what is possibly the finest sitcom of British TV right now.

2. Bernard Black (Black Books)

Graham Lineham has, over the past decade or so, created some of the finest comedy to hit the UK screens; Father Ted, The IT Crowd, and of course, the intoxicating Black Books, starring the inimitable Dylan Moran as alcoholic, chain-smoking book vendor Bernard Black. With his short temper and morose outlook on life, Bernard remains to this day a real inspiration for this embittered critic. Unfortunately my hard done by associate is now 10,000 miles away, so this Bernard is very much in need of a new Manny.

1. Dean Learner (Garth Merenghi’s Dark Place/Man to Man with Dean Learner)

Club owner, restauranteur and publisher of high class gentlemen’s magazines, Dean Learner, though not an actor, is an inspiration to modern man. Sharp-suited and cigar smoking, Dean brings class to any establishment, for what says class better than dimmer switches, ankle bracelets and wet wipes. What? You don’t do wet wipes? The fuck you don’t do wet wipes. Benders.