Eddie Monsoon – A Life? (The Comic Strip Presents . . . )

Date: 1984
Director: Sandy Johnson
Production Company: Michael White / Comic Strip Production

Stars: Tony Bilbow, Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Peter Richardson, Jennifer Saunders, Michael White, Peter Woods
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A mockumentary about the most offensive television star South Africa has ever produced, who, following the failure of several pilot shows in his home country, faked his suicide, went to Brazil and then to England where he attracted notoriety with his explicit sex farces on the stage and shocking TV productions which even Channel 4 banned.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

A television film from ‘The Comic Strip Presents . . . ‘ series.

Series 2, episode 5.

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • Capture 1
  • 'Now' required

Classical music plays as Eddie Monsoon (Adrian Edmondson) stumbles into view.

  • Capture 2
  • 'Now' required

After a montage of adverse front page headlines featuring Eddie, Tony Bilbow (Himself) opens the documentary.

  • Capture 3
  • 'Now' required

Tony goes on to explain that Eddie's first British television show was scrapped leading to his decline into alcoholism and drug dependency.

  • Capture 4
  • 'Now' required

Eddie waves from a window at the institution where he is spending his 17th visit in 18 years. The Holme on Inner Circle NW1.

  • Capture 5
  • 'Now' required

After Eddie asks Tony how much he's getting paid for the interview before cadging a fag, the programme moves on to feature his wife Doreen (Jennifer Saunders) . . . part of the reason he left South Africa.

  • Capture 6
  • 'Now' required

Holding his broken arm inflicted by his nurse Veronica, the self confessed drug addict, tax exile and fugitive from five African states walks around the garden of the institution with Tony. The grounds of The Holme in Regent's Park.

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Tony tells the viewer that the pilot for Eddie's TV show, 'Back to Normal', was recorded at a studio just three miles down the road. The Holme, Inner Circle in NW1.

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

Hoping for answers to a few more questions, Tony Bilbow chases Tiny Townsend (Peter Richardson), Eddie's former manager. Facing east on Kynance Mews SW7.

  • Capture 9
  • 'Now' required

The Impresario gets out of his car and runs from the Interviewer when challenged about pirate video tapes. Looking along Kynance Mews towards Launceston Place in South Kensington.

  • Capture 10
  • 14 Feb 2026

Taking to the streets, Eddie Monsoon drags his mic lead across the road as he heads towards a Member of the public. High Street in Wimbledon SW19 with the Brewery Tap public house to the left.

Taken from across the street by John Harwood.

  • Capture 11
  • 14 Feb 2026

In an attempt to prove that people know who he is, Eddie approaches a Man. The Brewery Tap at 68 to 69 High Street closed in September 2011.

John Harwood found a darker paint theme.

  • Capture 12
  • 14 Feb 2026

When the Man fails to recognise him, Eddie accosts another Pedestrian. High Street, Wimbledon with the windows of number 70a as the background.

Facing the same way by John Harwood.

  • Capture 13
  • 'Now' required

"What does the name Eddie Monsoon mean to you?" . . . "Nothing at all."

  • Capture 14
  • 'Now' required

"Nothing."

  • Capture 15
  • 'Now' required

"Perhaps you know my name?"

  • Capture 16
  • 'Now' required

"No." High Street in Wimbledon SW19 with buildings at the corner of Allington Close to the top left.

  • Capture 17
  • 14 Feb 2026

"What do you mean, No!" Looking towards the junction of High Street and Allington Close.

John Harwood captured that same corner.

  • Capture 18
  • 14 Feb 2026

After asking a Woman''s dog, Eddie mimics a reply. Facing west on Wimbledon High Street.

Wimbledon High Street 42 years later, by John Harwood.

  • Capture 19
  • 'Now' required

"What do you think of my TV shows?" High Street in Wimbledon Village.

  • Capture 20
  • 14 Feb 2026

"You probably haven't got a television then." Wimbledon High Street looking towards the junction with Church Road.

Clipping the pavement, John Harwood avoided a delivery lorry to the right.

  • Capture 21
  • 'Now' required

"Never heard of ya." High Street with the corner of Church Road in the background.

  • Capture 22
  • 'Now' required

"Why doesn't anyone in this bloody town recognise me?" High Street, Wimbledon with John Dobbie's toy shop at number 79.

  • Capture 23
  • 14 Feb 2026

Eddie screams "Why don't you love me?" Looking south-east on High Street.

A wider view of the scene by John Harwood.

  • Capture 24
  • 'Now' required

Tony closes the documentary with a photograph of Eddie seen leaving a chemist in Chingford after he had jumped from the window of his trashed room the previous evening.