Mike and Angelo
Mike and Angelo is a British sci-fi TV sitcom series, that ran on CITV between 16 March 1989 and 7 March 2000.[1]
| Mike and Angelo | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Grant Cathro Lee Pressman |
| Written by | Grant Cathro Lee Pressman Alex Bartlette |
| Starring | Shelley Thompson Matt Wright Tyler Butterworth Tim Whitnall Michael Benz Katy Murphy Gemma Gregory Steven Geller |
| Composer(s) | Alan Coates Kim Goody |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 12 |
| No. of episodes | 123 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 20 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Thames (1989-91) Tetra Films and Carlton (1993-2000) |
| Distributor | Fremantle |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV Network (CITV) |
| Original release | 16 March 1989 – 7 March 2000 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Spatz |
Plot
The show's initial premise centres on Mike King (played by Matt Wright), and his mother Rita moving to London from the United States after she divorces Mike's father. In their new house, Mike discovers a mysterious wardrobe. It bursts open containing Angelo (Tyler Butterworth), an alien who came from another world; the portal being the wardrobe. Angelo has no knowledge of life on Earth or of his own - so relies on the help of Mike to understand the world he has crashed on. At the same time, Mike is in turn helped by Angelo to integrate into life in London.
Together, Mike and Angelo get up to all kinds of crazy adventures - all within the vicinity of the house that they live in. Angelo is always inventing something crazy, or walking on the ceiling (due to him being an alien), or summoning up historical figures from the past.
The first of the show's many cast changes occurs at the beginning of Series 3, with Tim Whitnall replacing Tyler Butterworth as Angelo - after the character 'regenerated', a concept first used in Doctor Who in the first episode of the series. Tim Whitnall would remain the character for the next 9 years of the show's run.
Mike King moves back to the US at the beginning of Series 4 to be with his dad. Ellie, a neighbour would fill the gap left by the character for the rest of the series.
Series 5 marks the noticeable beginning of the show's shift away from its original Drama/Comedy roots to farcical Sitcom. This was also the first series to be produced by Tetra Films, and to feature the shows "iconic" theme composed by Kim Goody and Alan Coates. Rita's nephew Mike Mason (Michael Benz) is introduced - eventually becoming the longest running "Mike" character by featuring in 5 of the 12 series'.
Katy Andrews (Katy Murphy) is introduced in Series 7 as the new housekeeper - replacing Rita who has gone back to the USA.
Series 11 began with Angelo and Katy reading a postcard explaining that Mike was having a good time in America. In his place, Daphne Fawkes-Bentley's niece Mickey (portrayed by Gemma Gregory) became Angelo's sidekick.
For the final series, Katy's nephew, also called Mike (played by Steven Geller), joined. The final series was shown in 2000. Sadly, Geller died in 2015 aged 30.
Writers Lee Pressman and Grant Cathro set Mike & Angelo in Cricklewood, London. Their later series Spatz was set in the same area.[2]
Cast and Characters
Main
- Angelo - Tyler Butterworth (1989–1990) & Tim Whitnall (1990–2000):
Angelo is a goofy alien from the planet of Ptarg. He has the ability to make crazy inventions for his friends and among other things, is able to on the ceiling. - Mike King - Matt Wright (1989–1991):
The original Mike, Mike King discovers Angelo and helps him accustom to life on Earth - all while ensuring no-one finds out his secret. - Rita King - Shelley Thompson (1989–1994):
Rita is the owner of the house and Mike's mother. She is aware of Angelo and helps her son keep him a secret from visitors to the house. - Mike Mason - Michael Benz (1993–1998):
The second and longest-appearing Mike, Mike Mason is the nephew of Rita. - Katy Andrews - Katy Murphy (1995–2000):
The quick-tempered housekeeper who takes over looking after the house. - Michaela "Mickey" Fawkes-Bentley - Gemma Gregory (1999):
The niece of neighbour Daphne, Mickey is more fun-loving than her aunt. - Mike - Steven Geller (2000):
The final Mike, he is snarky and intended to act as a Straight man to Angelo.
Supporting
- Cyril Pinner - John Levitt (1989-1994):
A nosey neighbour, Mr Pinner is suspicious of the events happening next door. - Philippa Fraser - Alessia Gwyther (1989-1991):
A young snooty neighbour who attempts to befriend Mike King. - Brett Douglas - Gavin Richards (1989-1993):
Rita's friend who is suspicious of Angelo. - Nancy Mancini (Rita King's mother) - Libby Morris (1989-1991):
Sassy and a gossip, she stays occasionally in the house. - Tony King (Rita King's former husband) - Jeff Harding (1989-1991):
Father of Mike King who has a strained relationship with Rita. - Ellie - Jade Magri (1991):
Neighbourhood girl who helps Angelo in Series 4. - Melanie Pinner - Alexandra Milman (1993-1994):
Mike Mason's girlfriend in Series 5 and 6, niece of Mr Pinner. - Uncle Bob - Ron Berglas (1995):
Uncle of Mike Mason who checks in on Mike, Angelo and Katy regularly in Series 7. - Sam - Katie Pearson (1995):
Mike Mason's girlfriend in Series 7. - Daphne Fawkes-Bentley - Elizabeth Estensen (1995-2000):
The stuck-up neighbour and aunt of Mickey. Played by Elizabeth Estensen, who portrayed the first T-Bag in fellow Lee Pressman and Grant Cathro show T-Bag. As a result, much of her character is in reference to the character of T-Bag. - Zoe - Candace Hallinan (1998):
Mike Mason's girlfriend in Series 9 and 10.
Old Skool Weekend
In 2013, two episodes of Mike & Angelo were repeated on CITV as part of its 30th anniversary Old Skool Weekend:[3]
- The first, shown on 5 January 2013, entitled "Fuzzball", had originally been broadcast on CITV on 26 October 1989
- The second, shown on 6 January 2013, was titled "Heirs And Graces", and had originally been broadcast on CITV on 7 March 1996.
Transmissions
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
References
- "BBC - Comedy Guide - Mike & Angelo". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2 November 2004. Retrieved 6 September 2013.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
- "Mike & Angelo". Glad You Remember. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- "CITV celebrates 30th anniversary with a weekend of classic children's programmes". RadioTimes. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
External links
- Mike and Angelo on IMDb
- Glad You Remember - Mike and Angelo - Fansite featuring an Episode Guide and Interviews.
- Mike and Angelo at British Comedy Guide
- Mike and Angelo at BFI