The Krankies – how an act was born

So what I want to know was how did they decide to do it in the first place? Why did they decide to do it? I’m talking about that legendary double act, The Krankies. There must have been a time when they were like you and me – just an ordinary suburban couple with a hum drum life, worrying about whether the washing machine might live for another year or if they should build a conservatory out back. But somewhere along the line it all went show biz – but in a strange, boy scout kind of way. Strange thing is they must have sat down and actually decided to do it … what I mean is it was a conscious choice. Maybe an epiphany?

Daddy Krankie: So then love, what do you think?

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Think about what?

Daddy Krankie: I got this great idea. I reckon we could make it all the way. I know we can. They won’t have seen anything like it. We might even give Stu, ‘I could crush a grape’, Francis a run for his money on Saturday Night Special

Wee Jimmy Krankie: So what’s the big idea then love? A bit of soft shoe shuffle before lights out? Maybe we could do a magic act … I could be Debby to your Paul. Little and Large maybe … oh no, the other two got there before us. I reckon the thin one with the glasses is the talent in that act! How can we compete with such genius?

Daddy Krankie: Oh no. This is bigger … much bigger than that. This could be HUGE. We could be huge … well not you love … you could never be … huge I mean

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Tell me more big boy!

Daddy Krankie: Well, you need to dress up as a little naughty schoolboy, right? Cap at a jaunty angle, shorts, scrunched up socks, freckles …

Wee Jimmy Krankie: I don’t want to do a blue act Daddy. No, I’m too wee for that!

Daddy Krankie: No, you’ve got me all wrong. We’re going to knock Rod Hull and Emu of their perch.

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Ah, kiddies stuff … you mean you want us to give Sooty and Sweep a good kicking?

Daddy Krankie: You got it. Kiddies stuff. Wanna do it?

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Let’s go Daddy

Daddy Krankie: From now on you’re known as Wee Jimmy. Stay in character … never let the facade drop … let’s live the dream. The world must believe you are a naughty little thing – 24/7!

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Fan dabby dosie daddy!

Daddy Krankie: We’re going to have to do it straight. You’ll have to sit on me lap … you cheeky monkey. I’m liking that fan doody thing you did. Keep it in. Hold the thought. Live the dream!

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Hang on! That’s not right. Why would a big man have a wee chap on his lap?

Daddy Krankie: Stop that right now Jimmy! Eliminate that thought. You’re going to bad places and it will end in tears. Tonight Glasgow, tomorrow the world. Rod fucking Hull and his pissing windmill! Fucking Chuckle Brothers – who renewed their contract … I ask you!

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Fancy a quick knee trembler before we get the creative juices flowing?

Daddy Krankie: Now you’re talking Jimmy

Wee Jimmy Krankie: Fanny dabby dozie!!!!!!

And so an act was born …

Desperately Seeking Information on TV Series ‘Going Out’

I’m not usually one for nostalgia. Don’t believe the music or the telly was, ’much better when I were a lad’. I love contemporary popular culture and believe that what’s happening today is most important and more interesting than what happened yesterday. There is however one TV programme I remember watching which was the first TV drama featuring young people who spoke in a way I recognised, who did things I did and who had the same hopes and fears as most of my peers. In short it was one of the most realistic programmes I’ve ever seen. At that time there was little on the telly for young adults and teenagers which managed to reflect their lives and the issues they were dealing with. So this one stood out like a fanny fart at a funeral.

Problem is I can remember very little about it except that it was called, ‘Going Out’. It was set in the suburbs of London and was about a group of school leavers who were all searching for some direction whilst dealing with personal and family problems. It was set in that summer we all remember. The first summer we felt truly free. The summer after you had left school and were waiting to decide your next move. College? The dole? Dead end job? One of the characters lived in a nice area and his parents were lower middle class (he had peroxide blond hair with a wicked centre parting), another wore a long donkey jacket, drank in the morning and was physically abused by his father who used to beat him up on a regular basis. As a result he was rather monosyllabic and occasionally violent. I’m sure there was a token geek with thick glasses. I don’t remember much about the female characters except there was an quirkily attractive tall girl with braces (on her teeth, not holding up her trousers) who fell in love with the blond guy (I think). She was later in some kids’ TV serial about a radio station.

I loved ‘Going Out’ beceause it was gritty, realistic and the plots weren’t in any way contrived. In a few of the episodes not much happened. They were bored, they walked around a lot, smoked, flirted and got into trouble. There were parties while parents were away. It seemed to be about friendship, about a group of teenagers who were not the popular kids at school yet who managed to form a fragile but affirmative alliance of some sort. Within this peer group they found support, fun, companionship and understanding. It was brutal on occasions, but then so is life.

So here is my appeal. Am I mad? Does any one else remember this programme? I think it was on ITV but I’m not sure who made it. Are any of the actors still working? They could all act … there wasn’t a weak link in the cast! I’ve searched You Tube … nothing. I’ve Googled … to no avail. I may have missed something, so stand to be corrected if there is stuff out there. I’d love to hear from anyone who has information or just other fans who might remember something about the programme. It was called ‘Going Out’ … it was brilliant … it was the first time I felt I was watching real life … my life … in the form of a drama. I loved it! Any help gratefully received. By the way, if any of the writers, actors, technicians or directors who worked on the show are out there I’d be thrilled to hear from you and to find out what you thought of the experience as well as what you are up to now.

Oh there was a specially written theme tune entitled, ‘Going Out’. Can’t remember who by. Anyone got a copy? 

I’m not staying in tonight …. I ‘m going out.