Where are they? Classic Telly missing from the Web

One of the most popular features I've run in this column are the occasional tributes to series unfairly ignored by the hordes of telly obsessed webmasters out there. While there's nothing wrong with starting up another Monty Python, BlackAdder or Are You Being Served? site, the truth of the matter is, that fans, and potential fans of these series are already well served by a number of terrific websites. Not so, for the faithful followers of these next few series. Future webmasters of the world, if you've ever been a fan of one of these shows, please put aside your plans for the umpteenth AbFab site you were planning and take up one of these worthwhile causes.

The Army Game: World War Two was only a dozen years past and conscription was still the rule when ITV premiered the Grenada comedy series The Army Game in 1957. Featuring a remarkably fluid cast of characters, with some of the most popular players leaving temporarily in the middle of the series' successful run only to return after a short while to replace their replacements, based on a number of well worn but warmly recieved stereotypes. Set in Hut 29 at the Surplus Ordinance Department at Nether Hopping, Staffordshire, The Army Game focused on the best laid plans of a number of conscriptees to avoid anything resembling work or military order during their stay. Best remembered among them  are Alfie Bass's Pvt. Boots Baily, Bill Fraser's Sgt Maj. Smudge, William Hartnell's Col. Springer, Bernard Bresswell's Pvt. Popeye Popplewell and Norman Rossington's Pvt Cupcake Cook. During the series 150+ episode run between '57 and '61, these men became household names throughout Britain and yet today they are frequently left out of British Telly Fan's hearts and minds. Certainly, neither The Army Game or its successor series Bootsie and Smudge  have generated much interest on the Internet, which is a shame considering the relative strength of the scripts , the well drawn and popular characters and their place in British Comedy history. The Army Game is often sited as being the original inspiration for the Carry On series of films, starting as it did with Carry On Sergeant.

Mulberry: Some Britcoms are different. Mulberry was certainly different. Created by John Esmonde and starring Karl Howman as the mysterious Mulberry and Geraldine McEwan as the bitter and cantankerous old Miss Farnsby straddled the line between sitcom, poignant drama and Twilight Zonish fantasy. Who was the enigmatic Mulberry? Mild mannered servant or dark messenger from the other side? Blessed by a pair of fine performances from its leads Mulberry was as perplexing as it was enjoyable, leaving viewers wondering whether

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