Whodunnit? (1972)

Well here we have our first show up for review, and I've started with one originally broadcast before I was a twinkle in my father's eye!

Later series were hosted by former Dr Who actor Jon Pertwee, but I am going to concentrate this little review on the first series - hosted by the actor Edward Woodward.

The basic premise? A short play involving a crime, a studio panel of celebrities and experts to sift through the evidence, the 'suspects' from the play available to be cross-examined and a studio audience who are allowed to take part with the chance to win a 'prop' from the play as a prize. Does all this sound familiar? It might do if you ever watched the 90's series 'Cluedo' which followed this same format, almost to the letter. (Advance warning, when I mention 'Cluedo' again later on, I can see myself going off on one of those tangents I warned you about).

Having watched all 6 episodes from this first series several times, there are a few things that strike me. Firstly, each one is slightly better than the last, almost as if the production staff were 'learning' as they went along. Mr Woodward looks SO out of place in the first episode, but by the 6th he is engaging, funny, witty and providing the perfect link between the panel and the suspects. Secondly, the choice of 'celebrities' on the panel varies wildly. On the whole, those that are there as actors and actresses are far more entertaining than those that are there for professional reasons. (Dick Francis MAY be a celebrated crime writer, but there is a reason he didn't appear on TV much.) Thirdly, it is SO funny to see everyone smoking! This is nearly 40 years ago, when such things were acceptable, but to see members of the panel with a cigarette burning away in their hands, and even Edward Woodward lighting up behind his desk is really bizarre.

The plays themselves are varied, uncomplicated and draw the viewer in quite successfully. One big criticism though is that when the murderer is revealed, they quickly fly through the solution, and the credits roll. On more than one occasion I was sat open mouthed trying to piece together what was supposed to have happened.

But this show gets a deserved thumbs up, and I'm hoping the later series with Jon Pertwee become available. Jon himself in on the panel for one of the episodes and is a joy to listen to. Hilariously funny and spontaneous with his comments.

(here comes that tangent I warned you about)....

I was a massive fan of Cluedo in the 90's, but now I've seen the show that made it possible, I can see that Cluedo had some major flaws. The most striking was that the panel 'solving' the murder in the studio were so obviously scripted it became nauseating. With Whodunnit? all the panelists do their own sleuthing and come to their own conclusions (sometimes with humorous consequences) When I say the panel were 'scripted' think of 'Through the Keyhole' where David Frost pushed and prodded his guests in the right direction like a sheep-dog. Cluedo was the same, only even more obvious.

Anyway, back to Whodunnit? It was interesting to see quite a few familiar faces crop up, both in the plays and on the panel. Barbara Windsor, Nicholas Smith from 'Are you Being Served?', half the cast of 'Howard's Way' and that fat bloke from 'Emmerdale' (although when he was in it, it was probably still called 'Emmerdale Farm'.

So there you have it, a completely irrelevant review of a TV show you've probably never seen, and perhaps never even heard of. At least you know what to expect from future entries :)

p.s. If you do get a chance to see it, you might need a cushion to hide behind when you see the hair-cuts and fashions of the studio audience winners. One member who solves the crime and notices the most clues gets the chance to come down to the front and walk away with an item from the play (golf clubs, jewelry box, decanter etc). the 70's truly were the decade the fashion police were on holiday for.