Do Not Adjust Your Set Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1

Do Not Adjust Your Set was a variety show that first aired on the BBC in 1967. The show starred future Monty Python members Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, as well as Denise Coffey and David Jason. The series is known for its surreal and absurdist humor, and for its influence on later comedy shows like Monty Python's Flying Circus.

The first episode of Do Not Adjust Your Set opens with the five stars introducing themselves and describing the show as "a comedy show for the whole family". The opening titles feature a series of brightly colored, psychedelic images, accompanied by a catchy theme tune.

The first sketch of the show features Palin and Coffey as two musicians, playing the roles of conductor and singer respectively. As they perform a piece of classical music, Idle and Jones interject with bizarre, nonsensical comments and sounds, interrupting the performance. The sketch reaches its climax when Jason appears on stage, dressed as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and proceeds to drum on Coffey's head.

The next sketch sees Jason as a boy scout, attempting to perform a good deed by helping an old lady across the street. However, his attempts are repeatedly thwarted by Coffey, who keeps distracting him with increasingly bizarre requests. Eventually, after several trips back and forth across the street, Jason loses his temper and throws the old lady into a nearby shop.

The third sketch is a spoof of the popular TV show "The Avengers". Palin plays the role of Steed, while Coffey plays his female sidekick. However, the plot is quickly forgotten as the characters get sidetracked by a succession of bizarre incidents, including a man dressed as a giant spider, and a group of dancing potatoes.

The fourth sketch features Idle and Jones as two bickering, incompetent cowboys. Their attempts to rustle cattle are repeatedly thwarted by their own incompetence, as well as by the appearance of a group of Indian braves, led by Palin. The sketch concludes with a surreal, psychedelic dance sequence.

The final sketch of the show sees the cast performing a musical number, entitled "Hello Mrs. Bricker". The song is a parody of the traditional British music hall style, and features lyrics such as "You're the sweetest little piece of cake in all this great big world". The cast are accompanied by a group of dancing girls, dressed as giant bees.

Throughout the episode, the cast frequently break the fourth wall, addressing the camera directly and acknowledging that they are in a TV studio. The show is full of surreal, absurdist humor, with jokes and gags that often make little sense on the surface. However, the energy and enthusiasm of the young cast ensure that the show is always entertaining, if occasionally baffling.

Do Not Adjust Your Set is an important part of British television history, and its influence can be seen in many later comedy shows. While the humor may feel dated to modern audiences, the show's energy and irreverence ensure that it remains an entertaining watch.