imported>Subpagination Bot |
imported>John Stephenson |
| (4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{subpages}} | | {{subpages}} |
|
| |
| [[Image:Norman-lovett.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Norman Lovett performing at the [[Hampstead]] Comedy Club, 2005.]] | | [[Image:Norman-lovett.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Norman Lovett performing at the [[Hampstead]] Comedy Club, 2005.]] |
| '''Norman Lovett''' (born 31st October 1946 in [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]], [[England]]) is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[stand-up comedian]] and [[actor]], best known for the role of [[Red Dwarf (science fiction series)#Holly|Holly]] in the [[BBC]] [[science fiction]] [[comedy]] series ''[[Red Dwarf (science fiction series)|Red Dwarf]]'' during the first, second, seventh and eighth series. His stand-up is known for its quiet, dead-pan [[surrealism]]; in 2000 he embarked upon a successful tour, co-headlining with his ''Red Dwarf'' co-star [[Chris Barrie]]. | | '''Norman Lovett''' (born 31st October 1946) is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[stand-up comedy|stand-up comedian]] and [[acting|actor]], known to fans of the [[science fiction|science-fiction]] series ''[[Red Dwarf (science fiction series)|Red Dwarf]]'' as the original incarnation of [[Red Dwarf (science fiction series)/Catalogs/Characters#Holly|Holly]], a less-than-intelligent [[computer]] he played in the first two series of the programme (1988), and returned for in the seventh and eighth (1997-1999). |
| | |
| ==Career==
| |
| ===Early appearances===
| |
| Lovett turned to comedy and acting only in his thirties. Before coming to the role he would be best known for, he appeared in the [[anarchy|anarchic]] sitcom ''[[The Young Ones]]'' (in the 1984 episode 'Summer Holiday'). More stand-up and acting work followed, respectively on the comedy show ''Saturday Night Live'' and alongside [[Ruby Wax]] in a regular role on her series, ''Don't Miss Wax'' (1987). He also appeared in ''Happy Families'' (1987), a comedy penned by [[Ben Elton]] and produced for [[BBC Manchester]] by [[Paul Jackson]]. Jackson would later bring together many of the final cast of ''Red Dwarf''.<ref>''Comedy Connections''; [[BBC Scotland]] programme tracing the history of ''Red Dwarf'' (2004). Producer: Angus McIntyre.</ref>
| |
| | |
| ===''Red Dwarf''===
| |
| Lovett originally auditioned for a ''Red Dwarf'' role which would have seen him on-screen as more than a head, as occurred once he landed the role of Holly, a futuristic [[computer]] with a less-than-spectacular [[intelligence quotient|IQ]]; Lovett's face comprised Holly's original [[avatar]]. Originally, the role had been a voiceover only, but Lovett insisted he be seen; he puts this down to "ego". On moving to [[Edinburgh]] two years later, Lovett relinquished the role to [[Hattie Hayridge]], a fellow stand-up comedian known as 'the female Norman Lovett'.<ref>''Comedy Connections''.</ref> He was able to reprise the role some years later, both on television and in a 2006 interactive game, ''Beat the Geek''.
| |
| | |
| ===Other work===
| |
| In [[1989]], he was given his own [[BBC Two]] sitcom called ''[[I, Lovett]]'', which was surreal, but failed to catch the public's consciousness. He played a character called Norman, an in [[invention|inventor]] living with a [[dog]]. Seven years later, he played Dr Lovett in the equally short-lived sitcom ''[[Asylum (TV series)|Asylum]]'', which spawned many other successful careers.
| |
| | |
| He has made a number of acting appearances, such as The Ghost of Christmas Past in a TV adaptation of ''[[A Christmas Carol]]''; Mr Follett in ''[[The History Of Tom Jones]]'', and two films - ''The Criminal'' and ''Evil Aliens''. On television, he appeared in the BBC sitcom ''[[Keeping up Appearances]]'', and more recently was rumoured to be involved in the new series of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', but this turned out to be a [[hoax]]. He is said to be involved in the forthcoming ''Red Dwarf'' film, which is yet to win financial backing.
| |
| | |
| ==Personal life==
| |
| Lovett has two daughters, Lily and Kitty, with his wife Fi.<ref>''[http://www.normanlovett.co.uk/family.htm The Official Norman Lovett Website - Family]''.</ref> He says that the best moment of his career was supporting the [[rock (music)|rock]] group [[The Clash]] on stage. He continues to work the UK stand-up circuit.
| |
| | |
| ==Footnotes==
| |
| <div class="references-2column">
| |
| <references/>
| |
| </div>
| |
| | |
| ==External links==
| |
| *[http://www.normanlovett.co.uk normanlovett.co.uk] - Lovett's official website, including a biography
| |
| *[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0522686 Norman Lovett] - Internet Movie Database
| |
| *[http://www.myspace.com/normanlovett Norman Lovett] - Myspace
| |
| | |
| ==See also==
| |
| *[[Red Dwarf (science fiction series)]]
| |
