The Balloon Dance

[Garry Jones]

When was the Balloon dance first broadcast on Television? Was that the
first time it had ever been broadcast.

I found this link referring to some type of viewer reaction, was this a
reference to the first showing on British Television?

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/itw/Central/history.html
Does anyone know the full story of that "scandal" involving the baloon
dance?

As far as I remember the first Baloon dance was earlier, early 70's
possibly Cleese. There may have been a version done by females, Hills
Angels possibly? - All vague memories now for this ex-pat.

The reason I am asking is that the question has cropped up in a Swedish
newsgroup and many Swedes claim the Balloon dance as their own, having
had their own version of it in the 80's. I think they copied the idea
from British TV but need some more facts.

Garry J
English and in Sweden

PS, for those who have never seen it. The balloon dance is performed by
four nude males with an ever decreasing number of baloons to cover their
privates, if it is well done the audience never actually see anything
even when they are down to two baloons and covering each other.

[Alan Gilbey]

The original performance on OTT was by a comedy trio called The Greatest
Show On Legs - but they've been much imitated since. They were...

Martin Soan - still a solo act on the comedy circuit.
Steve Bowditch - still a solo act on the circuit, and 'Finsbury Park' on
most of Harry Hill's shows.
Malcolm Hardy -legendary owner of the Up The Creek comedy club in Deptford.
He aslo did a one man show called 'I Stole Freddie Mercury's Birthday Cake'
partly about the incident you mentioned.

Sheeesh, I'm kinda depressed I know all this.
I should get out more!

Garry Jones <vasat...@ebox.tninet.se> wrote in message
news:3807DC54...@ebox.tninet.se...

> > Garry Jones <vasat...@ebox.tninet.se> wrote:
>
> > > When was the Balloon dance first broadcast on Television?
>

> > > The balloon dance is performed by four nude males
>

> Jeremy Rogers wrote:
>
> > It is only mentioned briefly in passing by me since it featured on one
of the first programmes made by Central in January 1982.
>
> > On OTT I think only three bodies were involved.
>
> Yes, you are right, I wrote the wrong number.
>
> I did find this link about it, seems that the guys who did it on OTT
> were then booked for Freddie Mercury's birthday party in Xenons. Then
> they were accused of possibly being a gay act so they were not allowed
> to perform. So - wait for it - they nicked Freddie's cake..
>
> http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Stadium/5025/hardee.html
>
> Does anyone know if the screening of the balloon dance that is referred
> to in January 1982 is the first UK screening? Was the balloon dance
> something that people did years ago in music-halls or was it devised for
> OTT?
>
> Garry