Original title
Stella Street
Released
12/22/1997
Origin country
GB
Genre
Comedy
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
4
Number of episodes
39
Stella Street is a British television comedy programme, originally screened in four series on BBC Two between 1997 and 2001. It takes the form of a mockumentary filmed on a camcorder, based on the fantastical premise that a group of British and American celebrities who have all decided to move into Stella Street in Surbiton. The show was conceived and written by John Sessions, Phil Cornwell and Peter Richardson. The main characters are played by Sessions, Cornwell and Ronni Ancona. The characters themselves are impressions of famous celebrities such as Marlon Brando, Michael Caine, Jack Nicholson and, idiosyncratically, UK football pundit Jimmy Hill.
We are introduced to most of the characters (Dirk, David, Jimmy, Mick, Keith, Joe, Jack) by Michael Caine, who is buying a birthday present for Mrs Huggett.
Michael has a script he's interested in (Bongo in the Congo), that he feels will be just right for Joe Pesci. However, after a less than enthusiastic response, he takes it to Al Pacino. Dean also makes his first appearance.
Mick finds God and decides to dedicate his life to the Lord's work. Meanwhile, Joe finds out that his mum and stepfather are coming. He asks Roger Moore for advice on how to redecorate his house.
Mick annoys the residents by preaching in the streets. Len's first appearance comes in this episode. Dirk Bogarde tips the police off about Jimmy Hill's supposed drug hoard.
The continually pissed John Hurt arrives in Stella Street. Whilst Michael is out of town, Joe saves time and bother changing his house by pretending Michael's house is his own for his mother and stepfather's arrival. However, Michael's trip is cancelled and he returns early.
To celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Zulu, Michael has a fancy dress party at his house. Rows erupt over a game of Monopoly, Mick and Keith DJ at the party and inadvertantly cause Mrs Hugett to pass out. As the ambulance arrives, arguments rage over which poor sod should give her mouth-to-mouth.
The street rallys round to help whilst Mrs Hugett recuperates from a bout of alcoholic poisoning. However, Dirk is convinced Len the Gardener is trying to murder him.
As Dirk's paranoia grows over Len's attempts to kill him, he seeks solace in Jack's house, but finds it seriously lacking. Meanwhile, Jimmy finds himself in huge amounts of debt to Mick and keith as his drink problem grows.
Following Joe's breakdown at the close of the previous episode, he returns to Stella Street after having had a labotomy. He is a changed character much to the shock of the residents. As Christmas gets closer, residents leave for warmer climates. Mrs Hugett tries to con Jack out of money before he leaves - and succeeds.
Christmas is a depressing time for the more lonely members of Stella Street. Roger and David Bowie find company with each other whilst Jimmy finds himself spending quality time with the still passive Joe. As Mrs Hugett leaves for a holiday, John Hurt collapses in the street and inadvertantly causes Joe to revert to horrific form.
Mrs Huggett returns to Stella Street having been in priosn following a sex and drugs scandal in Spain. Dirk leaves Stella Street stating his hatred for the fellow residents as the main catalyst for his departure. We meet the Slureys (Pam & Graham) for the first time as they move into Dirk's house.
Mrs Huggett returns to the street after her time in prison to a rousing Stella Street welcome. However, her happiness turns sour when she discovers the residents of the street have turned to a new cleaner to replace Mrs Huggett - Vera Chuff. Meanwhile, Al hurts his neck and has to be attended by a nurse - Kirsty MacFadden - who he becomes besotted with.
A 40-minute rehash of the Series Three clips on location as Mrs Hugett recuperates from her 'illness' and - after a sexual rendezvous with Des Lynam - runs into a long lost 'friend'.
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