Attention Scum: BBC2 2001
Directed by Stewart Lee, this show was the Simon Munnery vehicle that was over ten years in the making, and it only took one sniff from Jane Root to destroy the whole thing. Although criminally broadcast in the Sunday night graveyard slot and ignored by the BBC, it was nominated for a Golden Rose of Montreux Award. But despite all the accolades it received from the press and public, it was de-commissioned before even being broadcast for "not fitting the profile" of Root's new BBC2. Presumably because it didn't feature enough gardening and flip flip flip flip flippant cookery.

But enduring through all of this, the fact is that the series is a masterpiece of television. It managed to translate perfectly Munnery's highly unique style of humour, a feat which would have been impossible for anyone who didn't have Lee's obvious love and understanding for the material. One of the most beautifully produced and realised pieces of television ever broadcast.

Time Gentlemen Please: Sky One 2000
Al Murray's sitcom, based around his Pub Landlord character, and very cleverly set in a bar. Written by Murray and Richard Herring with Stewart Lee acting as Script Editor and guest writer, it centred around an ever increasing number of characters until, by the end of the last episode, the head count parallels that of The Simpsons. The programme was originally only intended for a twelve week run, but Sky TV soon recognised it's potential, and commissioned another ten episodes on top of that.

Murray and Herring are currently working on the second series of the sitcom, writing fifteen new episodes to begin broadcasting next March. There is currently talk of a terrestrial broadcast for the series, which should bring it to a wider audience, and hopefully greater recognition than it has received thus far. A great British sitcom, without camera tricks and with some very obscure Star Trek references thrown in for good measure, it's strengths lie not in gimmicks but in the character development through the series, and it's structure means that once you are drawn in, you will be hooked.

Harry Hill (Series 2 & 3): Channel 4, 1998 - 2000
Stewart Lee acted as script editor for series two and three of First Class Scamp Harry Hill's Channel 4 shows, presumably ensuring an equal billing between Gareth Southgate Badger and Tasmin Archer Badger. The content and style of Hill's programmes weren't as far apart from Lee's writing style as would initially be assumed: beneath the layers of sild and systems, the Harry Hill series is a skilfully crafted and intricately structured programme.

Lee also made an appearance on Hill's This Is Your Life programme, sitting on the front row of the famous people side, although his contribution to the evening's festivities was apparently cut by the producers and replaced by Jenny Bond saying Harry was 'wicked'.

Festival of Fun (Series 1 & 2): Paramount and Channel 5: 1997 - 1998
Spawning the unforgettable catch phrase of "Muffins, muffins, Canadian muffins!", Festival of Fun was basically a clip show hosted by Lee and Herring. Taking over from where Clive Anderson had left off, they appeared for two years in between clips from the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. Through the course of the two series, Rich developed equally disturbing fixations with insects and muffins, as well as being made into a sandwich and being basted, ready for oven baking. Nice.

They interview some comedians along the way, with a notable highlight being the interview with Dylan Moran when Stewart seems to slowly lose the ability to speak. Unlike every other comedian featured in the two series, Rich and Stew decided against the 'let's make it all up on the spot' approach, and instead wrote brand new material around the clips they were introducing, the idiots. Three years on, Paramount Comedy Channel pay tribute to their genius by endlessly repeating it on a tedious loop late at night. It's probably on right now.

Comedy Network, Channel 5, 1997
Stewart Lee appeared alongside Jenny Éclair and Jim Tavare in Channel 5's stand up show, Comedy Network, recording twenty six five minute slots. Kevin Eldon also made an appearance doing stand up and a cracking impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger. And Richard Herring also made a brief appearance giggling the front row of one of the recordings during Stew's routine about his ex-girlfriend's mother.

Boyz Night In, Channel 5, 1997
One night, Channel 5 in their ultimate wisdom decided to run some vaguely related programmes (and also one with Melinda Messenger), and, deciding it was a theme night, invited Rich and Stew to present it. Boyz Night In (the title is a reference to the highly popular Melinda's Night In, Channel 5's highest rating programme of the time. What do you mean, you've never heard of it?) was the result.

They appeared in brief links through the night, and at one point interrupted Freebie and The Bean - The Movie (Stew - "You know if I was really enjoying the film I'd be annoyed at us coming on and interrupting it in the middle with a load of rubbish about beans." Rich - "I'd be annoyed because there hasn't been a bean.") Through the wonders of Sedgebeer magic, you can still watch the clips on www.leeandherring.com and marvel at their youthful looks, and the bright moving colours of their shirts.

Monster Night BBC2, 1997
Another TV channel, another theme night. As part of a night centred around programmes featuring monsters, Lee and Herring sat in a television representation of a sitting room and watched one of ten videos Rich picked up from a bin in the newsagents (including Jeremy Clarkson's Guide to Home Hysterectomy, Famous People's Arses presented by Adam Ay and six copies of their 1995 live video "because it's embarrassing seeing them in the shops for 50p").

The script, but not the video clip, is still available on www.leeandherring.com and, reading through the script, it is a very strong piece of writing, relying on the basic relationship between their two characters, with Rich and Stew arguing with each other while watching Carol Vordeman's (it is her) "The World's Nine Most Frightening Monsters".

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In The Pipeline

Frank Skinner sit com (show pilot) ITV
Rich is currently working on a sitcom vehicle for Frank Skinner, based on the storyline of his 1999 Edinburgh play, It's Not The End of The World. The story will centre around Skinner who, dumped by his girlfriend, has to move in with his younger brother. "They really want to do a sit com with Frank," says Rich, "so I think if he likes it then there's quite a good chance." If the pilot is picked up by ITV, then the series should be appearing on our screens in the Autumn of 2002.

Head Farm (show pilot), Channel 4 2001
"After twelve years I've found a profound attitude of indifference is the ideal attitude to have when working in television." Stewart Lee has just produced and directed a pilot comedy show for Channel 4, staring some of the biggest names on the stand up circuit today. Among the impressive head count are Johnny Vegas, Garth Marenghi and the Boosh, with the show being presented by Jason Freeman. Originally intended to fill the TFI Friday time slot, it is now hoped that Head Farm will spear head the Channel 4 Friday night schedule. If picked up, the series should be appearing on our screens some time in 2002.

Attention Scum picture taken from The Observer
Time Gentlemen Please picture copyright Sky Television