Thames Comedy Hour

The Thames Comedy Hour was a fictitious 1970s TV series set in the Tranziverse. Combining elements of Benny Hill and Des O'Connor, it was notorious for its rampantly sexist humor and scantily-clad starlets. A fast-paced sketch program recalling the golden age of British music hall, the show usually ended with a Mack Sennett-style chase scene full of pretty young girls running around in their underwear. Both Holly Taylor and Cathy Saunders made their debut on the program, playing stereotypical 'seventies "dolly-girls."

Background
The Thames Comedy Hour was a weekly sketch comedy airing from January 1955 to May 1989. Hosted by former radio compere Charles 'Chaz' O'Donell, the series hit its peak in the mid-70s, reaching an international audience due to its repertoire of slapstick, mime, parody and double entendre.

As the series' humor revolved around sexual innuendo, a considerable amount of risque imagery was incorporated into the skits and routines. Initially employing female television extras (mainly upcoming models and "page three" girls), Chaz later founded a six-girl dance ensemble which appeared in many of show's musical and variety numbers, often by falling out of their clothes at the most inopportune moments.

Virtually all of the specials produced after 1971 incorporated gratuitous panty shots, unexpected stripteases, wardrobe "malfunctions" and full-figure lingerie scenes. As the show progressed, the costume department kept pace with the fashion industry, especially where the actresses' underwear was concerned. Female cast members wore floral bras and briefs during the early seventies, eventually giving way to gauzy French intimates throughout the Eighties.

Memorable Episodes
Naughty Netball Knickers: a faux investigative report into women's sport reveals a major controversy within the netball community: the National Association insists that contestants wear full brief knickers, as opposed to the g-string briefs favored by the younger generation. In a display of solidarity, the girls hold a protest rally, revealing their panties to the audience. Played strictly for laughs, with Chaz standing in as the quizzical reporter.

The Low Angle: another "mockumentary" featuring interviews with ballroom finalists from Dimpton Dance-Off. Whenever the girls demonstrate their signature twirls, the cameras film them from a gratuitously low angle, exposing their bright floral underpants in a flurry of lace petticoats. Features Holly, Cathy and Carla Maitland as contestants, displaying their knickers and stockings in multiple re-takes.

Health Club: minor mayhem erupts at Dimpton Fitness Center when two pretty members (Cathy and Holly) decide to "ride the bike" in their cute little gymslips. White cotton panties go on open exhibit as the girls' pleated skirts flip inside out, drawing the attention of every male in the vicinity.

Meter Maids: two attractive WPCs (Holly and Carla) fall under Offenbach's spell when they hear a municipal brass band playing Orpheus in the Underworld. Entranced by the music, the metermaids raise their skirts, kick up their heels and flash their knickers to an appreciative crowd.

Candystripers: The nursing staff at Dimpton Convalescent Home have a surprise in store for their geriatric residents. Led by their slim-waisted young matron, the candy-stripers dance the cancan for their elderly patients, exposing their frilly white panties and black suspenders stocking. The impromptu performance concludes with a literally heart-stopping Royal Flash.

Tennis Report: Wimbledon Warm Up has become the country's most popular sports program, mainly due to its focus on beautiful female athletes. Of particular interest is the opening segment, where the players weigh in before the game, stripping down to their bras and knickers in full view of the cameras. Filmed in 1971, this was the first episode to feature full-figure lingerie scenes, as opposed to the more familiar panty shots of the previous seasons. Carla, Cathy and Holly did the honors, while Chaz provided commentary in his dodgy reporter character.