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Series 2, Episode 17: Chemist
The cast:
CHEMIST John Cleese
VOICE OVER Eric Idle
BBC MAN Michael Palin
The sketch:
(Cut to the five Gumbys standing in a tight group.)
Gumbys: Thank you. And now a sketch about a chemist called ‘The Chemist Sketch’.
(A number of men and women are sitting around in an area by the counter where there is a large sign saying ‘Dispensing Department’. A cheerful chemist appears at the counter.)
Chemist: (JOHN) Right. I’ve got some of your prescriptions here. Er, who’s got the pox? (nobody reacts) … Come on, who’s got the pox… come on… (a man timidly puts his hand up) . .. there you go. (throws bottle to the man with his hand up) Who’s got a boil on the bum… boil on the botty. (throws bottle to the only man standing up) Who’s got the chest rash? (a woman with a large bosom puts up hand) Have to get a bigger bottle. Who’s got wind? (throws bottle to a man sitting on his own) Catch.
(Caption on the screen: ‘THE CHEMIST SKETCH – AN APOLOGY’)
Voice Over: The BBC would like to apologize for the poor quality of the writing in that sketch. It is not BBC policy to get easy laughs with words like bum, knickers, bony or wee-wees. (laughs off camera) Ssssh!
(Cut to a man standing by a screen with a clicker.)
BBC Man: These are the words that are not to be used again on this programme.
(He clicks the clicker. On screen appear the following slides:
B*M
B*TTY
P*X
KN*CKERS
W**-W**
SEMPRINI(A girl comes into shot.)
Girl: Semprini!?
BBC Man: (pointing) Out!
(Cut back to the chemist’s shop. The chemist appears again.)
Chemist: Right, who’s got a boil on his Semprini, then?
(A policeman appears and bundles him off.)