Whoopi Goldberg receives the fourth annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a gala taped Oct. 15. Among the well-wishers: Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Harry Belafonte, Celia Cruz, Three Mo' Tenors, Alan King, Tommy Davidson, Cedric the Entertainer, Wanda Sykes, Bruce Vilanch and Mike Nichols. Also: clips from Goldberg's stand-up routines and films (including her Oscar winner, "Ghost").
Comedy genius Iain Stirling is at the legendary Comedy Store in London playing host to the brilliantly funny Darren Harriott, the wonderful Jake Lambert, and the amazing Fern Brady.
This British sitcom made excellent use of a brace of future TV and film stars named Bob Hoskins and John Thaw. While serving a three-year prison stretch for burglary, George (Hoskins) was unexpectedly paroled one day before the completion of his sentence. Upon returning to his home in Fulham, George was somewhat taken aback to discover that his wife Annie (Pat Ashton) had spent the past three years shacking up with his best friend and partner in crime, Stan (John Thaw). Adopting a surprisingly philosophical stance, George allowed Stan to remain in his home, leading to a hilarious menage a trois. Debuting June 1, 1974 over ITV's London Weekend Television service, Thick As Thieves rolled along for eight episodes before costar John Thaw bolted to star in the detective series The Sweeney, whereupon writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais resumed their customary duties on another prison-based sitcom, Porridge.