The Real McCoy was a BBC Television sketch comedy show that ran from 1991 to 1996 featuring an array of black and Asian comedy stars and featured many famous guest appearances, including Leo Muhammad, Ian Wright, Linford Christie and Frank Bruno.
Development
The producer of the first two series, Charlie Hanson, was the co-founder of the Black Theatre Co-operative (now NitroBeat) and had produced No Problem! and Desmond's before creating The Real McCoy. He was working with a double act named Curtis and Ishmael (Curtis Walker and Ishmael Thomas) at the 291 Club at the Hackney Empire and suggested making a television version. However, the BBC opted for a totally new sketch series, launching The Real McCoy. Llewella Gideon and Collette Johnson, who were also the double act Short, Sharp and Shocking, made up the main initial quartet of writer-performers. Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B co-wrote the title theme.
Casting
Walker, Thomas, Gideon and Johnson were given top billing in the opening credits of the first series. Walker and Thomas were billed under their double act name "Curtis and Ishmael" in the closing credits. In addition to the main quartet, Robbie Gee and Leo Chester also appeared in every episode of series 1. Further recurring semi-regulars included Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir and Perry Benson. Kathy Burke and broadcaster Alan Towers also appeared in the series.
For series 2, a new animated title sequence was used with a new theme by Overlord X. The main six performers again appeared in every episode (although Gideon was unable to attend the recording of the final episode). Syal and Benson also returned as semi-regulars, alongside newcomer Maureen Hibbert. Ghir did not appear in this series.
Series 3, saw some big changes to the main line-up. Walker, Thomas and Johnson did not return. Meera Syal was promoted to a regular, with newcomers Eddie Nestor and Judith Jacob also joining the main cast. A seventh main cast member Felix Dexter appeared each week, performing solo material from his repertoire of characters. Hollyoaks actor Nick Pickard appeared in the first episode.
In series 4, the same seven writer-performers returned to make up the main cast. Kulvinder Ghir also appeared in every episode of series 4.
For series 5, Ghir was promoted to the main cast, which now made eight regulars. For this series, Jo Martin also appeared in every episode as Botney, controller of BBC universal intergalactic TV transmission, during the Rub A Dub sketches and in other roles.
Format
Although mainly a sketch comedy show, the dance troupe Danserious also performed short routines throughout the first series with longer routines to entire songs in series two.
In series 3, the dance sections were replaced with studio performances from a different musical act each week including The Real Thing, Ruby Turner & Junior, Mica Paris and Macka B.
From Series 4, the music acts were replaced with stand-up routines from guests such as Junior Simpson, Toju, John Simmit and Angie Le Mar. In series 5, Richard Blackwood, Rudi Lickwood and Ian Edwards were amongst the stand-up guests.
Episodes
Most appearances
Excluding the four broadcast clip show episodes and the two VHS clip show episodes.
30 episodes (all regular episodes) Robbie Gee Leo Chester
29 episodes
Llewella Gideon
25 episodes
Meera Syal
18 episodes
Eddie Nestor
Judith Jacob
Felix Dexter
Kulvinder Ghir
12 episodes
Curtis Walker
Ishmael Thomas
Collette Johnson
9 episodes
Perry Benson
6 episodes
Leon Black
5 episodes
Maureen Hibbert
Reception
The show was very successful, quickly becoming a cult hit and reaching audiences of 5 million.
Its popularity attracted many famous guests. In series 2, John Virgo made a cameo in a snooker-themed sketch.
From series 3, a recurring sketch was an EastEnders spoof called The Rub-A-Dub in which celebrities Linford Christie, Andi Peters (with Edd the Duck), Colin McMillan, Mica Paris, Tessa Sanderson, Norman Beaton appeared as themselves.
In series 4, guests in the segment were Frank Bruno, Saracen from Gladiators, Ian Wright, Carmen Munroe, Omar and Lennox Lewis.
In series 5, John Barnes, Saeed Jaffrey, Lisa I'Anson, Jazzie B, Maxi Priest and Judy Simpson appeared in the segment.
In December 1994, a short special aired as part of Fry and Laurie Host A Christmas Night with the Stars.
In November 1995, a 4-part clip show series aired called The Best of the Real McCoy.