Dave Allen at Large

FavoritedFavorite 6
BBC Two (ended 1976)
EDIT

Show Summary

  • Ended
Stand up (or rather sit down) comedy accompanied by traditional sketches orchestrated by Irish comedian Dave Allen and his assembled group of actors. The show was very popular in the UK in the 1970s and was exported to the US where it became a minor success after being shown intermittently on American public television or as late-night filler on the local networks. Dave Allen's relaxed style of delivering stand up comedy remaining seated while enjoying a cigarette and having a glass of whiskey remains unique to this day. A few of his most popular recurring sketch characters include Robin Hood, King Arthur, Sherlock Holmes, James the Faithful Retainer, a Mexican Revolutionist and the Pope.''''Please note: These episode descriptions are based on how Dave Allen At Large was first run in the USA. When Dave first ran, he had thirty episodes and two specials at forty-five minutes each. The series was later edited and re-worked to fifty episodes at thirty minutes. When the original unedited episodes are finally made available to the public, this series will be updated accordingly.moreless
7.5
out of 10
Average Rating: Good
26 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Episode Guide

See All
S 5 :  Ep 51 Aired 12/20/76
S 5 :  Ep 50 Aired 12/20/76
S 5 :  Ep 49 Aired 12/13/76
S 5 :  Ep 48 Aired 12/13/76
S 5 :  Ep 47 Aired 12/6/76

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Reviews (3)

See All

  • Sophisticated, biting humor

    10
    "Perfect"
    By DojinFan_2K, Oct 20, 2010 Report Abuse
    Dave Allen At Large featured Dave Allen, an Irish comic whose humor is ls a shade different from other British comedy shows such as Monty Python's Flying Circus & The Benny Hill Show.

    Allen's targets of comedy are mostly authority figures (especially his satirical takes on the clergy) & he has a relaxed, informal way of telling jokes that's almost reminiscent of the stylings of George Carlin or even Bill Maher.

    His sketches do tend to be a bit offensive to some, but at least they aren't totally vulgar, unlike today's comedians & their material.

    I was very lucky to have caught his show on Chicago's Public TV back in the 80's & i sure do miss his show since it's not on DVD.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0

  • Dave Allen and a talented ensemble of actors and comedians create and improvise humor and satire from the rigid discipline of the Catholic church to a satiric view of society shown from a in-studio screen while Dave told jokes and humorist sketches.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By aesgaard41, Oct 20, 2010 Report Abuse
    If Benny Hill is the King of British Comedy, then Dave Allen is the Duke. He has a marvelous talent for combining mimicry and mannerisms into telling stories, as well as a mind for creating the funniest sketches. Even without the scale or broad innuendo of a Benny Hill sized extravaganza, he creates the same level of humor. While Benny was always, "Can he do that?" - Dave was always, "He did that!" His humor, though, of sex, drinking and religion might be too controversial for today, but there's a lot less funny comics today who are getting away with a lot more.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    2 0

  • Less rowdy than The Benny Hill Show, Dave Allen at Large was a very different take on British humor.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By tmkreutzer, Apr 04, 2007 Report Abuse
    It is natural to compare Dave Allen and Benny Hill, although the only similarity between them is that they are both British comedians who did comedy sketch based shows during the 1970s. Reaching the North American market at about the same time, Dave Allen a Large was eclipsed by The Benny Hill Show. That means it is little remembered today, but those of us who saw it in all its glory know what a wonderful show it was.

    Each set of skits were introduced by Dave who sat on stage in a high backed bar stool, sipping a drink and smoking a cigarette. The skits themselves were performed by a small cast of regulars and covered a wide range of topics. Unlike Benny hill, there were no songs or variety show moments.

    The overall feel of the show is very British. You just know that even today there are thousands of guys sitting around in pubs getting gently sloshed and telling jokes about the Irish. This was a good show that deserved a wider audience.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0
 

Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings

Themes

No themes available

BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use