The sitcom for which the late Terry Scott is best remembered is, of course, 'Terry & June', in which he co-starred with June Whitfield. However, from 1962-68, he was partnered with the wonderful Hugh Lloyd in the David Croft-produced 'Hugh & I'.
As was the case with 'Hancock's Half-Hour', Scott and Lloyd played characters with the same names as themselves; the former was a social-climbing bachelor, always on the lookout for fame and fortune, the latter his dim-witted lodger. They resided at Scott's mother's house at 33 Lobelia Avenue, Tooting, south London. Each week, Terry would dream up a new 'get-rich-quick' scheme, only for it to fail dismally, mainly because of Hugh's bungling.
Viewers took to the show immediately, in no small part due to the 'Laurel & Hardy' style partnership at its heart. The scripts were by John Chapman, later to pen another classic Terry Scott sitcom - 'Happy Ever After'.
In the opening episode - 'Fully Incomprehensive' - Terry decides to start his own insurance agency, after reading in 'The Times' of the huge profits made by other companies. To find out the mechanics of the business, he and Hugh visit a real insurance agency, under the guise of Terry taking out a policy on his friend. But the manager, noticing Terry's substantial girth, tries to persuade Hugh to take out a policy on him instead.
After placing a sign advertising their new business over their front door, Scott and Lloyd receive a visit from their neighbour Mr.Crispin, who threatens to report them. Terry counterattacks by threatening to report him for breeding ferrets in his kitchen.
Desperate to sign their first client, Terry and Hugh visit the Wormolds, a senile, accident-prone old couple, but nothing comes of it.
They then talk the manager of the insurance company into taking out a policy, but as he leaves the house, Terry's sign falls on the man's head, thus necessitating an immediate claim.
'Hugh and I' will come as a shock to anyone accustomed to 'Terry & June'. Scott's character is pompous, snobbish, and unashamedly rude. Watch Scott in the 'Bless This House' movie to get an idea what this character is like.
The irreplaceable Patricia Hayes crops up as 'Mrs.Wormwold', with Cyril Smith ( no relation to the ex-Liberal M.P. ) as her husband. Following Smith's unexpected death, he was replaced by Jack Haig.
The combination of Scott and Lloyd's 'Stan and Ollie' double-act, John Chapman's witty scripts, and the fine supporting players made 'Hugh & I' a smash hit in the 1960's. I have only seen one episode, but would very much like to see more.
Funniest moment - Terry and Hugh trying to erect their sign. "Put the hammer in my waistband!", Terry commands from the top of the ladder. Hugh does so, but places it upside down, leaving the head of the hammer freely dangling from Terry's trousers. Ouch!
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