Tutti Frutti - Robbie Coltrane TV Series

[Tutti-mad]

Originally posted by kpark
Hi,
I've also been looking for the Tutti Frutti series for my parents who were big fans - they videoed the entire series but then accidentally taped over the last episode...... I had also heard there is some dispute over copyright but have written to the bbc to ask whether there has been any progress over this. Maybe we could start a campaign to get it back on air?? Meanwhile, if anyone has the last episode and is missing any of the other episodes and is willing to get this copied, then get in touch!

Thanks, Kirsty Park

Video copies - yes please
Dear Kirsty

I saw your post above with the very kind offer of Tutti Frutti video copies. I would pay your costs and then some for copies - a lot more.

Getting hold of these videos has become a quest! Please get in touch.

Tutti-mad

[Elsonico]

Good news for everyone! I recorded all 6 broadcasts back in the 80s, and have recently converted them to mpg format. I believe they should be preserved for posterity, as the dry Scottish humour stands the test of time. The Londoncentric BBC has no interest in our cultural heritage, apart from bagpipes and alcoholism!

Do you remember Vinny's blue & pink sweater, knitted by Glenna, with sleeves down to his knees? Highland radio for those unfortunate enough to live outside the Buckie area? Danny's tartan suit? Eddie Clocherty & "Miss Toner"? (Janice!)

All 6 episodes fit on 1 dvd. If anyone's interested in a copy, mail me.

[Edited by Elsonico on 28th July 2004 at 22:12]

[tassie13]

That brings back fond memories.

I have heard and read a few rumours (only rumours and not substantiated) why this show has not been re-broadcast.

It is possible the BBC may have had problems with the copyright of some of the songs. To show the series would cause problems? This is questionable as it was shown twice, first on BBC2 then the next year on BBC1.

If this was the case I'm sure the BBC could have resolved this without too much difficulty. They must have experienced this before.

Another rumour was that someone else may have laid claim to the story line?

Again this doesn't seem plausible as the series was shown at a Cinema in the Coatbridge or Airdrie area some years back. It was on TV twice. John Byrne is an excellant writer eg Your Cheatin' Heart.

Maybe one of the characters has refused to have it back on ?

Whatever the reason, I would love to see this broadcast or for it to be made available.

This series launched and helped so many careers, and with the characters involved should have been repeated long before now.

We are subjected to so much rubbish. How many times have we been shown Dads Army, Fawlty Towers, Only Fools etc., not to mention the American stuff.

Bring back Tutti Frutti.

[Edited by tassie13 on 29th July 2004 at 11:14]

[RobertRoy]

EXCLUSIVE!

I actually worked on the show, and I noticed that there was an article in the Sunday Herald on this very subject a month or two ago.

There are several reasons why the London-centric BBC might not want to repeat Byrne's magnum opus, which were only touched on glancingly and inaccurately in the article. For a start, it would surely shame them, given the abominable standards of programming which now apply at Auntie.

BBC London is also notoriously sensitive about shows from the "national regions" (sic) which are better than those from the centre. "Tutti Fruttti"'s 13 BAFTA nominations and BAFTA awards was (believe it or not) a severe embarrassment to them at the time. They have not been troubled by many challenges from their colonial outpost in the North in the interim.

In terms of the music, there was always a problem about using the tracks chosen, including ones by Little Richard and other greats, outside the context of simple broadcasting. The BBC has a block arrangement with the MCPS which allows most music to be included in shows, for which they pay an overall fee,

If the show is to be marketed on video in the UK, or sold abroad for broadcast, this agreement no longer applies and separate arrangements have to be made. Either very expensive fees have to be paid, if the tracks can even be cleared, or new versions have to be recorded and laid on to the progs. The latter solution is cheaper and more achievable, and would normally be applied.

Unfortunately the producer deliberately ignored these considerations, or was ignorant of them. John Byrne certainly brought his considerable weight to bear on this issue, in favour of the original tracks.

The question of the mysterious legal challenger is interesting. There was certainly a threat from someone who claimed to have submitted the same idea to the producer at some point previous to the latter's working at the BBC. The bizarre thing about this was that the producer came on to the show very late, when it was already in pre-production, and certainly had nothing whatsoever to do with its conception.

Despite the ease with which this challenge could have been swatted away the Controller and the suits upstairs seemed to take it very seriously, and thereby gave the threatened action an apparent substance that it certainly did not deserve. The answer could be the simple one of the BBC not liking bad publicity and law suits, even the most specious. Pat Chalmers had been threartened with jail not long before during the Zircon Affair.

It is a strange feeling to be getting tall his down after so long a time. Maybe a campaign to repeat the show would indeed be a very good thing. I would certainly sign on.

[samherman]

I would love a copy. How can I get a copy of your DVD?

[Celyn]

Originally posted by RobertRoy
EXCLUSIVE!
........It is a strange feeling to be getting tall his down after so long a time. Maybe a campaign to repeat the show would indeed be a very good thing. I would certainly sign on.

I have nothing useful to say. I am just poking my nose in to say how nice it is to see it had many fans AND great to have a bit from the "horse's mouth" of a member who worked on the show. And, boy, it does seem a long time ago!

I reckon it's true, though, that much of what is on now is trash. Perhaps I am just being awkward, but I found that I watched less and less television, and when it was time for the scary licence fee demand.....well...... I eventually decided no way was it worth it, and took the plug off the telly. Now, if the Beeb would start amusing me again......they might get another customer!

Can't honestly say I am missing the thing much, though.


Footnote - if anyone could even know the true tale of what shenagigans prevent it being released, I bet that story in itself might make a good comedy!

[WJD33]

I have episodes 1 - 3 on video that I can copy if that's any good. I could put them onto DVD if you like. Sadly someone taped over 4 -6 !