Overview

Intended as an obvious parody of traditional American sitcoms that were full of silly plots and moral lessons such as I Love Lucy, Heil Honey I'm Home! features Adolf Hitler and his partner living next door to a family of Jews. Although Hitler is a power-hungry, despotic dictator, he still has the same domestic problems as most other men and struggles to keep Eva Braun happy.

Although the show was broadcast on little-watched channel Galaxy and set-up as a spoof of US television, its mere appearance in TV schedules provoked mass outrage upon the broadcast of its opening episode in late September 1990. Such was the tabloid-fuelled public outcry that although seven more episodes had been made, the series was swiftly cancelled. Viewed now however, that first episode seems innocuous and undeserving of such attention.

Background

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Paul Jackson steadily built a reputation for himself as one of the key figures in British television comedy. He initially worked with respected traditional comics as a producer and director on shows such as The Two Ronnies, Cannon & Ball and Carrott's Lib. He then effortlessly moved into the world of alternative comedy and was a key figure in the early careers of a huge number of performers and writers including Ben Elton, Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson. In 1990 he gambled on Heil Honey I'm Home.

Written by frequent Rory Bremner collaborator Geoff Atkinson, a block of explanatory pre-title text set up the premise of the series: the tapes of an unbroadcast American sitcom made by executive 'Brandon Thalburg Jnr.' had been discovered in a Burbank backlot and were now available to be seen for the first time.

As the description indicated, the intention of the show was to parody and satirise American sitcoms of the 1950s. This included having the audience needlessly applauding each character when they first appeared on set and the presence of many intentionally corny jokes. The portrayal of Hitler and Eva Braun as a typical squabbling suburban couple was another obvious reference to the cosy comedies of that era.

The pilot episode was broadcast on 30th September 1990 on the short-lived satellite channel Galaxy, part of the BSB network. Despite the small number of viewers who even had access to satellite television, the programme garnered newspaper attention and produced a vitriolic response. Director Juliet May has commented that those who worked on the show received threats through their letter boxes, whilst Paul Jackson was forced to appear on Channel 4 to defend the right to make comedies about any subject.

Despite this negative reaction, production on a full series continued. When Sky Television merged with BSB in November 1990 to form British Sky Broadcasting however, the new owners wasted no time in deciding that they were not interested in Heil Honey I'm Home! and it was unceremoniously cast aside. By this time eight of the thirteen commissioned episodes had been filmed and edited. None more would be shown.

Legacy

Surprisingly the story does not end there. Seemingly oblivious to the fact that it was intended as a parody, and having never seen the relatively innocuous pilot, many continue to name the programme as one of the most offensive to ever have been produced. When Channel 4 compiled The 100 Greatest TV Moments From Hell it was placed at number 61 and when Radio Times asked John Naughton] to pick the worst shows of all time he ranked Heil Honey I'm Home at number 11. The pilot episode has also been aired on Channel 4 as part of a 'bad taste'-themed weekend.

This publicity has actually had the effect of increasing demand for the series: so much so that cast member Gareth Marks has indicated that several companies have declared an interest in broadcasting all of the episodes. Paul Jackson believes though that it should remain buried as the comedy's possible merits could not compete with the level of scrutiny it would receive due to its subject matter.

Clips from unseen episodes emerged during the 2000s, revealing one plotline that required Adolf and neighbour Arny to share a bed together. Another involved the two of them disguising themselves as each other - all standard, if not knowingly clichéd, sitcom fare.