Question for UK viewers about crossdressing television shows

[Aileen]

Here in the USA we have had a few crossdressing sitcoms, in which a male character dresses as a woman, but is a man in the show. So he plays a man who impersonates a woman. They don't tend to do very well. People are willing to suspend disbelief long enough for a sketch on a variety show like Carol Burnett, but they're not willing to watch a sitcom with a man impersonating a woman, because they're not realistic. Here are some of the crossdressing sitcoms that haven't done well.

The Ugliest Girl In Town
Bosom Buddies
On Our Own
Ask Harriet

And one that did incredibly well:

MASH

SO what are the British crossdressing sitcoms? Not shows in which the men play women, but shows in which a man plays a man who dresses like a woman?

[Maria D]

Off the top of my head I can't think of any. Maybe others can do better. We've had Lily Savage (drag act) doing prime time for years as an entertainer/game show host, and a TS character in Corrie, but that's all I can think of on modern telly.

Take care :)

[Sam-antha]

No, to my knowledge there are none of the sitcom variety.
Of Televised shows, my topmarks go to Stanley Baxter, top comedian and CD presenter, with a knack of being fem, of taking the mickey while so doing and being serious at the same time.
If I remember rightly, his was the first take on the Queens TV Christmas Speech way back.

[MissHelen]

There was Gloria in It Ain't Half Hot Mum, who was the female impersonator in an army concert party troop stationed in India during the second world war.

Can we count Emily Howard, the unconvincing transvestite character in Little Britain? ("I'm a lay-dee!") In similar vein there's also Babs of Babs cabs, the pre-op TS taxi driver in League Of Gentlemen.

[VeronicaMoonlit]

and a TS character in Corrie,:)

For us Yanks, that's slang for Coronation Street, right?


Veronica

[JoAnnDallas]

Here in the states there used to be a great comedy sitcom where two men found a great apartment, but it was for ladies only. So they deceided to crossdress to get a apartment. A couple of GG's they knew also lived there and helped them from time to time. Lasted at least a couple of seasons.

[Maria D]

Yep, sorry, should have said ;)

MissHelen, didn't Babs end up having the op botched, and then got pregnant? Mind you, she was more convincing than me.

[winkys pet]

er,allo allo! the gestapo officer who got helga to help him dress,heir flick who would where a basque under his uniform!

[heathr1]

Does anyone remember the Sitcom Lenny Henry used to have in the 80s with a male crossdressed housekeeper?

[heathr1]

Also the Ronnie Barker sketch in the Two Ronnies.

[Aileen]

Let me summarize the premises from these shows.

The Ugliest Girl In Town

A man takes a job as a female fashion model.

Bosom Buddies

Two men crossdress to get an apartment in a hotel for women ( mentioned by JoAnnDallas ).

On Our Own

A young man crossdresses to be the guardian of his orphaned siblings. He takes the identity of Aunt Jelcinda, their only living relative, who is too sick to step in and become the guardian.

Ask Harriet

A man crossdresses to get the job of a female advice columnist.

[Sam-antha]

Re an earlier post on this subject :
http://www.fair-shop.co.uk/The-Stanley-Baxter-Collection_B0009F68G6_p.html
enjoy

[Julia Cross]

Little Britain, it's a great comedy show. Has a crossdresser who loves Victorian dresses. It's really a hoot. If you get BBC or Bravo, you should be able to find it. It's on weekly.

Julia