Inigo Pipkin

[Stephen Doran]

Is this series still archived i wonder?

[Matthew Brannigan]

On June 18th the third volume of Pipkins on DVD will be released by Network : www.networkdvd.net/product_info.php?products_id=624

On the discs there are a number of extras including some excerpts of "Inigo Pipkin", as the show was called before George Woodbridge died. Unfortunately it seems like the earliest complete existing episode of the programme is the first episode of Pipkins where Johnny (Wayne Laryea) briefly explains Mr Pipkin's absence.

I understand that most of the episodes on the DVDs come from Jonathan Kydd and Nigel Plaskitt's personal collection of off-air recordings because next to nothing remains of Pipkins in the Archives.

[Peter Elliott]

On the documentary on the first DVD release, they said that they had recorded 2 or 3 episodes of a new series when Woodbridge then died. What they did was spread those episodes out to give the illusion Mr Pipkin was still around, hence most weeks excuses would be given for his absence. At the start of the next series though, they actually told the viewers that Mr Pipkin had died and apparently this caused a bit of an uproar since it upset some viewers and their parents were not at all happy about it! Interesting that very episode is featured on the new set.

[johnstewart]

May 22, 2008 15:26:07 GMT Stephen Doran said:

Is this series still archived i wonder?

Hi Steve - nice to have a real member back with a real subject (not a cut and paste of an old)!

There was a thread on this some time ago on 'MAUSOLEUM CLUB' and I was curious about the same thing.

'Inigo Pipkin' as it was originally; was apparently part of Thames daytime reshuffled programming format launched in August - September 1972. I'd forgotten this as my earliest memory was an episode from mid 73 as at the time it was on a friend had got one of those 'plastic cast' sets where you put objects into a mould pour the resin on and wait for it to set. It would have been a holiday but he had put them in front of an electric fir to dry and we were toing and froing between rooms waiting for them to dry. Meanwhile watching 'Pipkin' on T.V.

I did recall suddenly the mixed race Assistant 'Johnnie' being promoted to front man without explanation. At the time I had missed any reference to Woodbridges demise.

For kids an older figure with more Character was more attractive.

As far as I recall Mausoleum said 'Pipkins' survived from 1978 on. A batch of 75 eps on Philips were discovered. One 'Inigo' existed from series 2; 1973.

[Stephen Doran]

Thanks John.

[Deleted]

I have it written down on Kal literature somewhere but to be more specific, I think there are about 80-odd eps surviving on Phillips / U-matic with an additional two only on broadcast VT (one each of Inigo Pipkin and Pipkins). I think that's correct. Dates are across the board, I think, with there being more from the latter part of the run though, obviously.

[johnstewart]

Just to add Steve there is a new thread on this on MAUSOLEUM CLUB. 'Pipkins' volume 3 may be worth a look. Apparently contains clips of the earliest surviving with George Woodbridge and the edition where 'Johnnie' refers to Mr Pipkins demise.

This latter I didn't know survived. It occured part way mid series as they didn't explain straight away what had happened and the series was set to have it's title adjusted to accomodate.

I recall going off the series as a younger presenter had less Charisma and it was easier to warm to the 'older' Character.

[Stephen Doran]

Thanks again John/Laurence i think i recall this episode .Watched a few eps on vol 1 DVD last night.

[johnstewart]

BTW - Just looked at the box from Vol 2 in a chain store. I was considering purchasing Vol 3 due to its excerpts of the surviving 'Mr Pipkin' episode and off airs of the historical 'death' entries.

However - apparently the George Woodbridge one appears to be on Vol 2.

Can anyone confirm?

[Stephen Doran]

Isnt it just excerpts i know there is ONLY one full show archived .

[Deleted]

No. Read the above postings and you will see that they are all complete shows being released. No clips.

[johnstewart]

Thanks Laurence - I've re - read this now!

I think the correspondent meant was there no complete George Woodbridge episodes.

There is reference on 'Vol 2' to a complete INIGO PIPKIN but in relevance to the other posts this appears to mean the complete episode on Vol 2 doesn't feature George Woodbridge.

I would thus gather the only material of Woodbridge are the clips possibly from an incomplete off air; which feature on either vol 2 or 3. The box for 2 I think says Hartley Hares first appearence exists; so this must be one of the clips.

Sorry to be pedantic but I can only afford to buy one of the volumes at present so want to get the better one for the Woodbridge material!

[Deleted]

As far as I know, the sole 2" master VT of Inigo Pipkin contains Woodbridge. I recall seeing this ep at a Kal screening many years ago and he was in it.

[Simon Mclean]

The episode 'An Old Glass Door' recorded off-air also features George Woodbridge - that one's coming out on vol 3, I believe. The original (N1500?) tape also has the ends of a couple of other editions which were taped over, including a brief sequence of Woodbridge messing about with some differently shaped biscuits for reasons that shall forever remain a mystery!

[Stephen Doran]

Theres a nice pic on the extras feature of George Woodbridge on vol 1.