Ben Elton: The Music Man?

Whatever happened to the angry, Anti-Thatcherite, who wrote and performed excellent comedy during the 80's? Perhaps throwing a party for the monarchs big day, last year, celebrating fifty years of hand-shaking, keeping the empire strong and christmas speeches, weakened him. Perhaps, making one of the biggest rock groups of the 20th century look like Bucks Fizz, killed off the anger, well it certainly made him a lot of money. In an interview, he admitted that he was venturing into the mainstream because it meant higher viewing figures, or as I say: making  loads of money by filling T.V. listings, bookshops and theatres with mediocre rubbish!

As a fan, I almost feel slightly abandonned. After growing up on a diet of The Young Ones, garnished with the occasional sprinkle of his stand-up work and thinking that this man was a genius, yes, abandonned is the feeling. Afterall, Elton's input in Blackadder made it a certified hit! But the televisual feast was ruined by a nasty bout of food-poisoning. Never leave him on his own with a pen and a piece of paper. After two series and a christmas special of The Thin Blue Line I almost neede hospital treatment. I fear another trip to Dr Originality is in order, especially after learning that his next nail in the coffin is a tribute to Rod Stewart. Somebody call the Ga Ga police and take this nutter away from the creative world. I think he's at 10 Downing Street, playing Buckeroo with Big Tony!

By 'Len'