Wednesday, March 1, 2017

TVXOHOF 03/2017 - CUTHBERT "JUG-EARS" RUMBOLD




From Wikipedia:
Nicholas John Smith (5 March 1934 – 6 December 2015) was an English actor. He was known for his role in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, in which he played Mr. Rumbold, the manager of the fictional Grace Brothers department store.
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Cuthbert Rumbold (Nicholas Smith), the manager of the floor, was often mocked for his bald head, large ears, and lack of intelligence. Nicknamed "Jug Ears", he frequently took slang phrases literally, leading to his formulating far-fetched explanations of incidents between staff members. He often took credit for others' ideas but subsequently tried to deny all involvement when the idea inevitably proved disastrous. Mr. Rumbold's greatest ambition was to become a director of Grace Brothers: he looks up dreamily whenever the word "boardroom" is mentioned. He was usually oblivious to the sex appeal of his attractive secretaries. By the time of 'Grace and Favour' Mrs. Rumbold has left Mr. Rumbold for a younger do-it-yourself man. In the episode "Roots" his brother Mycroft (also played by Smith) makes a brief appearance.

RUMBOLD - Now there's a name with a distinctly Dickensian ring to it.  It sounds as if it could be a stout fellow who found his intestinal fortitude only after liberal servings of strong drink.  But instead, Cuthbert Rumbold was a Dilbertesque manager, save for the lack of pointy hair.  He was the Mel Cooley of Telly Olde England.

Mr. Rumbold will be joining Mr. Wilberforce Humphries in the Crossover Hall of Fame and I expect eventually many of the employees at Grace Brothers will find themselves at home there.

Here are the reasons why Jug-Ears deserves membership:

"Comedy Playhouse"
    - Are You Being Served? 
(1972)
Pilot for BBC's 'Are You Being Served?' series

Mr. Rumbold with Captain Peacock

"Are You Being Served?" 
(1972-1985)
Sixty-nine Episodes
The misadventures of the staff of a retail floor of a major department store.

Are You Being Served? 
(1977) 
The staff of Grace Bros. take a trip to Costa Plonka while the department is being remodeled.

O'BSERVATION: This theatrical release should be absorbed into the TV Universe.

"Are You Being Served? Again!" 
... aka "Grace & Favour" 

(1992-93)
Twelve Episodes

The staff of the defunct Grace Brothers department store reunite to run a rural hotel.

Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Rumbold.  I'm sorry there's no room for you in the boardroom.....


BCnU!

PS:
There will be another inductee coming along tomorrow and again in a few days.....

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