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Steptoe and Son

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TV Series

The Resume

    (June 14, 1962-November 15, 1965)
    Born in United Kingdom
    (Revived March 8, 1970-October 10, 1974)
    Aired on the BBC
    Written and produced by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
    Wilfrid Brambell as Albert Steptoe
    Harry H. Corbett as Harold Steptoe
    Premise: Albert Steptoe and his son Harold are rag and bone men (junkmen) in London. Harold wants to leave home and move up in the world, but his plans are constantly thwarted by his cantankerous father.

Why Steptoe and Son might be annoying:

    Stars Brambell and Corbett constantly fought and were no longer on speaking terms by the time the series ended.
    The two stars' careers foundered after the series ended due to typecasting.
    When Brambell left England to pursue a Broadway career, Galton and Simpson considered killing off his character and replacing him with Harold's illegitimate son, who would be played by a child actor. The idea was rejected because Corbett considered it ridiculous.
    Prime Minister Harold Wilson was so worried the show would keep Labour voters away from the polls that he persuaded the BBC to postpone airing it until 9 PM on election night (1964). Wilson estimated the move would be worth a dozen seats; Labour won the election by four seats.

Why Steptoe and Son might not be annoying:

    It inspired the successful American sitcom Sanford and Son.
    It was one of the first British sitcoms to feature actors playing characters rather than comedians playing versions of themselves.
    It was one of the first British sitcoms about the working class.
    At the height of its popularity, half the British population were regular viewers.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 43.75% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 24 Votes: 95.83% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 22 Votes: 40.91% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 59 Votes: 35.59% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 27 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 102 Votes: 49.02% Annoying