An unscreened pilot episode that was recorded in December 1981. Little is known about this edition, except that Alexei Sayle was involved from the beginning.
OTT begins with some TISWAS favourites, including Spit the Dog, Algernon and Houdi Elbow. Yet as a late night alternative for adult fans of the show, it also features Alexei Sayle as a regular, and a naked balloon dance.
The gang return to reflect on the bad press from the first week - minus Colette Hiller, who was dropped after just one episode. Sketches include John Gorman as an ungracious Mastermind winner, and Trevor McDoughnut singing the blues.
The show's growing obsession with nudity coincides with the introduction of a new cast member, as a supposed "person from the audience", Ellen Thomas, is a contestant in a game where losers have to strip.
Sketches include Chris Tarrant as a scolding headmaster, and a report on the most violent tennis player of the year. The tennis sketch caused Lenny Henry to bond with Alexei Sayle, though sadly because they both agreed it was "rubbish".
Featuring the return of The Greatest Show on Legs, along with new characters from Lenny: Fred Dread and Delbert Wilkins. Lenny also gets involved in the part of the show where the audience are encouraged to brawl: Beat Your Brains Out.
Michael Palin, Bananarama and Fun Boy Three are the special guests on this edition, though the studio audience aren't overly responsive this week. "Now, you may laugh", quips Michael, "in fact, I'd rather you did."
The edition most represented in the compilation special, with no less than five separate sketches reshown in whole or in part. Sections chosen for repeat include singing duo MacLean and MacLean and their ode to Dolly Parton's chest.
Alexei Sayle's final contracted episode of OTT, as he leaves for an Australian tour, but not before performing his new single, "'Ullo John. Gotta New Motor?". Special guests are Classix Nouveaux, Tom Bright and Paul Henry.
The first post-Alexei episode sees an increase in music, with Nine Below Zero and archive of the Dave Clark Five. There's also an increase in outrage, with a topless woman in a snooker hall and a man who places live rats down his trousers.
A wild edition, where Beat Your Brains Out gets out of control and causes a studio fire, and Chris decides to liven up the show by getting Bernard Manning to do a guest stand-up spot. "I knew it was a mistake", he muses afterwards.
The last live episode of the series features the gang finally getting a theme song to sing with Roy Wood, plus guest appearances from The Beat and noise act Bags of Fun. There's also a selection of outtakes from the series.
A special compilation, featuring sketches and clips from the first 11 episodes. A small amount of new material includes Joshua Yarlog, Chris as Kenny Everett, and Ellen Thomas finally showing viewers what has been teased for weeks.
