...Jess Yates set His cause back 2,000 years.
The review by ShadeGrenade has pretty much nailed it here, but having had this as a feature of Sunday evening viewing in my tender, formative years, I had to comment, too.
The fact that the sickening hypocrisy of this programme was obvious to an 8-year old should speak volumes about its intent and content. Its intent: to get ITV over its obligation to broadcast a 'religious' programme on Sunday evening, and let people off having to go to Evensong by watching the Beverley Sisters sing 'The Little Drummer Boy'. This meant they didn't have to miss half 'The Onedin Line' on BBC1, or Morecambe and Wise on BBC2 (yes, Eric and Ernie featured on Beeb2 from '68 to '71, when Beeb1 caught up with colour transmission).
As for the content, it was of the 'When a Child is Born' level of quasi-reliogiosity - more 'feel good factor' than ecclesiastical debate. There were some heavyweights in the Bible-reading department, but it was Dame Anna Neagle who has stayed with me because she always had RAF wings pinned tastefully to her evening dress - rather like Mrs Wyse having her MBE on display in the Mapp and Lucia books - none of this Christian modesty rubbish. If you've got it, flaunt it, I suppose.
As for 'Bishop' Yates, he had the voice and manner of a particularly unctuous undertaker. The national furore when he was caught with a sexy girlfriend was only surpassed when we found out he wasn't Paula's father and Hughie Green had done the deed. And who tipped off the Sunday papers about the affair? Step forward Mr H. Green. As they say: revenge is a dish best served cold.
