Missing Hen

Vote for the next sketch

2011-06-04T09:40:00.002+01:00

Okay, so I'm finding it a bit difficult to get started on making new video sketches. Which would you like me to focus on first:

1) A sketch abut birdwatching?
2) A sketch set in the gallery of the Doctor Who TV studio in 1963?
3) A sketch about supermarket checkouts?
4) Re-open nominations.

Comments here please, or on the Facebook page or on Twitter @missinghen

Our new podcast - An Ear on the Wall

2011-05-09T22:45:00.005+01:00

Tonight sees the start of our new podcast, An Ear on the Wall.

In this episode, we join Phil and Nigel as community radio station Excalibur FM profiles the people of Hunter's House Hotel in Effam. From the manager to the chef, you're assured of a warm welcome. Just make sure it doesn't get too warm...

You can listen to the podcast through the player below, or visit our podcast hosts to download or subscribe.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Sketch - Minor Demons

2010-11-06T14:46:00.002Z

Our Halloween season of sketches reaches its climax as Satan addresses a news conference. Some minor demons have become trapped. Oh dear.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or Subscribe to the shows with iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do fly at 'cha, hotly.

Seance sketch

2010-10-26T23:08:00.003+01:00

Be careful when you contact the spirit world, as our Halloween countdown continues.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do knock three times on your iPod every single week.

TV Licence Inspector

2010-10-18T22:17:00.002+01:00

Our Halloween countdown continues with this scary sketch.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do ask your iPod if it has a TV licence every single week.

Sketch - Tick or Teat

2010-10-18T19:20:00.002+01:00

Do you want Tick or Teat? You're stood on the doorstep, so you decide, as Missing Hen begins the countdown to Halloween.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do knock annoyingly on the door of your iPod week by week.

Sketch - The Invention of Lightbulbs

2010-10-10T21:54:00.003+01:00

Thomas Edison invents the lightbulb.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do float out of your iPod week by week, or recorded to a 78 rpm disk for your gramophone.

mementoo do you think you are?

2010-10-01T19:55:00.003+01:00

Leonard Shelby attempts to trace his family.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do float out of your iPod week by week, possibly in the right order if you're lucky.

Bloopers 2010

2010-10-01T19:49:00.003+01:00

Yes, we're not perfect. So here are some of our recent mistakes.

See the bloopers here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do float out of your iPod week by week, like a big mistake.

Sketch - Space Pranks

2010-09-13T18:30:00.002+01:00

Don't misbehave on the International Space Station. You naughty space people.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do float out of your iPod week by week, like a passing orbital platform.

Sketch - Phone Genie

2010-09-06T13:15:00.003+01:00

There's a Genie trapped in this phone. Release him and you'll get... well, you'll find out.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do float out of your iPod week by week, like a crazy genie.

Monochrome TV doctor social networking sketch

2010-08-30T14:43:00.002+01:00

Yes, they had social networking in the past. Get over it.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do drop into your iPod week by week, like a repeat prescription.

Every sketch we've ever done

2010-08-26T22:21:00.004+01:00

Yes, in shameless attempt to encourage you to take a look at the archive through the show player at www.missinghen.co.uk, Phil shows you how young we all used to look in a compilation of clips from every sketch we've ever done, in order.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have every sketch we're going to do drop into your iPod week by week, like some mad part-work.

I'd also like to thank the US comedy group These People, who gave me the idea for doing a compilation of every sketch we've ever done, and believed me when I said it was a tribute to their Every Sketch sketch, and not a rip-off.

Sketch - So it's not an iPad...

2010-08-16T21:30:00.003+01:00

Happy birthday! Okay, so it's not an iPad, but...

Our latest sketch guest stars Jo Cummins and Ben Fuller.

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to automatically download sketches to your iPod or other enchanted viewing device.

Sketch - Selling time travel on the doorstep

2010-08-10T12:45:00.003+01:00

Who's that knocking on the front door? Do you have time to answer?

See the sketch here on YouTube, here on Blip.TV, join our Facebook page for sketches and behind the scenes material or subscribe through iTunes to have a constant flow of sketches knocking on the front door of your iPod.

Sketch - Death Star insurance claim

2010-08-03T21:24:00.002+01:00

That's the second Death Star they've lost. Better call the insurers.

This sketch was written collectively through comments on our Facebook page, so thanks to Richard Gnosill, Stefan Sawynok, Pete Foltz, Simon Meddings and Brock Lagan.

See the sketch here on Blip.tv, here on YouTube, join our Facebook group for sketches and extra behind the scenes stuff, or subscribe via iTunes for an automatic flow of sketches to your computer or mobile viewing device, like it's coming from some call centre or something.

Sketch - Kindred of Glack

2010-08-03T09:28:00.003+01:00

I rushed away on holiday last week, so forgot to upload this to the blog (but it was on Facebook, YouTube, iTunes and blip.tv so don't shout at me).

It's a quickie, featuring our guest star Richard Gnosill as Mike Ledgewood, Kindred of Glack.

Sketch - Pottery in the kitchen

2010-07-20T12:57:00.003+01:00

How do you get young people interested in pottery? A bit of quick editing and a beat should do it. Meds demonstrates how he does pottery on the cheap.

See the sketch here on Blip.tv, here on YouTube, join our Facebook group for sketches and extra behind the scenes stuff, or subscribe via iTunes to have sketches repeatedly seep into your computer or ipod like some kind of comedic damp. Icky.

Sketch - Pirates

2010-07-12T23:01:00.002+01:00

Pirates go looking for buried treasure. It's what they like to do.

See the sketch here on Blip.tv, here on YouTube, join our Facebook group for sketches and extra behind the scenes stuff, or subscribe via iTunes to have a constant tide of sketches wash up to to your computer or favourite evil mirror.

Sketch - New satnav, new danger

2010-07-08T00:02:00.002+01:00

A new sketch, warning you to beware of some of the more exotic locations on your satnav.

See the sketch here on Blip.tv, here on YouTube, join our Facebook group for sketches and extra behind the scenes stuff, or subscribe via iTunes to have a constant tide of sketches wash up to to your computer or ipod/ipad/ipud.

Sketch - Mastermind (with a crying baby)

2010-06-28T19:26:00.003+01:00

You may have done well at your specialist subject, but how will you cope up against the crying baby? Extra joke for Latin scholars: Matermind. Sorry, Latin scholars.

See the sketch here on Blip.tv, here on YouTube, join our Facebook group for sketches and extra behind the scenes stuff, or subscribe via iTunes for an automatic magical flow of sketches to your computer or mobile viewing device.

Thanks to Natalie at pdsounds for the baby sound effects.

Sketch - Got a job on the Death Star

2010-06-20T19:52:00.003+01:00

A Star Wars sketch, in which a new job offer may not be as good as it first sounds. Missing Hen looks at the perils of working for the Empire.

See the sketch here on blip.tv, here on YouTube or on our Facebook page.

Or subscribe to our iTunes feed and get 'em sent to you automagically.

Arts and Crafts

2010-06-14T21:01:00.002+01:00

We're back from a bit of a break, as Missing Hen looks at arts, crafts, hotel rooms, philanthropy with Bruce Wayne and a topical gag. Yes, a topical gag. Sort of.

See the sketches http://blip.tv/file/3754337, or here on YouTube, or here on Facebook.

Or subscribe to our iTunes feed.

It's called the Death Star...

2010-04-21T23:09:00.001+01:00

IMG_4226
Originally uploaded by missinghen

A busy week of filming so far. At the start of the week we buried Simon alive in a coffin with an iphone and a fake moustache. We allowed enough time at the end of filming to dig him up again. It's in his rider.

And then tonight Phil and Peter got together to film a sketch set a long time ago, in a beer garden far, far away. While surrounded by cats. Who won't make it into the sketch. And the noise of planes overhead - looks like we missed the volcano window there.

We'll be editing all this and more for a set of sketches coming some time in late April/early May.

Estate Agent Hell

2010-04-04T21:21:00.002+01:00

Who'd have thought that buying a house could be on of the most terrifying experiences of your life? Phil from Missing Hen introduces this sketch that we shot in 2006, but only just finished.

You can watch the sketch at blip.tv, YouTube, on Facebook, or subscribe to our iTunes feed or our Facebook fanpage.

Science and that

2010-03-21T20:46:00.002Z

Here's a set of new sketches from Missing Hen, as we look at science - what is it? What's it all about? From the work of Albert Einstein to Alexander Graham Bell, join us as we put science under the microscope*.

* please note, this does not imply science is very small and hard to see.

Watch the sketch on YouTube or Blip.tv, download it to your portable device through iTunes or find us on Facebook, where we've been uploading lots of extra behind the scenes material.

Motivational Posters vs. Numbskulls

2010-02-26T07:19:00.002Z

Remember the old DC Thomson comics like The Beano and The Dandy? Remember how they used to hand out free motivational posters to put up in the office? No, we don't either.

It's a new sketch from Missing Hen - see it on YouTube, Blip.tv or stick it on your iPod with our iTunes feed.

Locum Who

2010-02-18T22:44:00.002Z

A new sketch from Missing Hen - what happens when your planet is invaded on a bank holiday and you call for Doctor Who?

You can see the sketch on YouTube, Blip.tv or through our iTunes feed. Or on our Facebook fan page here

Is that A Bell I can hear?

2009-12-26T22:43:00.001Z

IMG_3989
Originally uploaded by missinghen

Strategic shaving has helped Phil to transform himself into Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. We're having a burst of filming activity this Christmas holiday, all the better to bring you more Danger Signs and News@Then in the new year...

Danger Signs series 2 continues: TV Graphics

2009-12-04T17:35:00.002Z

The Danger Signs is back with a good hard look at TV graphics. Featuring very little violence and no cusswords. But lots of graphics and the Open University. Which, I suppose is a bit graphic.

Watch it on YouTube, Blip or subscribe using our iTunes feed.

It's been a bit quiet...

2009-11-10T22:39:00.003Z

...but it'll get noisy and objectionable again soon enough. A good writing evening this evening as Peter and Phil got their heads together to bash out a few ideas for new Danger Signs sketches.

And there's the bulk of a new episode done - so expect some action soon. Regarding toast.

There will be blood

2009-09-02T00:27:00.002+01:00

IMG_3584
Originally uploaded by missinghen

Fun evening's filming with Peter and the stage blood. Well, fun for me, Peter doesn't look so happy. Don't know what he's got to complain about. He's only covered with blood-soaked cotton wool pads and air hoses underneath that shirt. Perfectly normal.

And the sketch is nowhere near as sadistic as it looks, honest. Although the blood does taste horrid. I'm told.

Radio>TV>Radio?

2009-09-01T11:00:00.003+01:00

There's a longstanding progression route in comedy that includes a leap from radio to TV. Just like the "Fawlty Towers two series" rule, it's seems to be an immutable law with familiar examples trotted out from Hitch Hiker's Guide to Little Britain.

Mitchell and Webb are currently bucking that trend. After three TV series, they've not written off the radio version, which is back on Radio 4 for a new series. That pleases me, as I think they work well - and differently - in both media. I'd love to see it to inspire other comedians to give radio another go without seeing it as step back. In particular, much as I love the Mighty Boosh on TV, there were some moments of fantasy on the radio show that they've never reached since. I'm talking about you, Tommy Nookah.

We've been writing!

2009-08-28T10:37:00.001+01:00

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Originally uploaded by missinghen

We had a very successful meeting of the whole team to work on scripts for the next batch of the News@Then. It's the first time all five of us have been in the same room for about 18 months, so it was well worth all the diary wrangling.

It was a real boost to throw ideas around in the same room - especially given that most of the production process (even the filming, with greenscreen) can now be an almost solitary affair.

I guess you need a good balance between logistics and creativity. We'd gone for the greenscreen approach on the principle that it's getting tougher to get people together. This seems to be a good balance - a couple of hours covering half a dozen sketches followed by shooting spread out over the coming weeks.

We're going to have proper rehearsals next. Yeah, us.

Danger Signs series 2 starts today

2009-07-05T18:45:00.002+01:00

The new consumer-friendly series of The Danger Signs starts today as we join Jack Bauer in 1924 and investigate Streaker - the bacon-flavoured soft drink. All this and some some more on The Danger Signs - watching out for the consumer.

Watch on YouTube, or Blip.tv or subscribe using our iTunes feed.

Einstein-a-go-go

2009-06-23T19:41:00.002+01:00

IMG_3378
Originally uploaded by missinghen

So, you're based in Birmingham, filming a sketch featuring Albert Einstein. Who do you turn to who can properly convey the serious/comic vibe of this scientific genius? None other than Stephen Jackson, Solihull's finest Einstein impersonator and cartoonist. Here's a link to his site, Chuckletown.

A special prize for anyone who can work out what he's up to with those Russian dolls...

New podcast, new danger

2009-06-20T12:55:00.001+01:00

Tonight, as it says in our very exciting Twitter feed, we're recording our first podcast (I've described the shows as video podcasts in the past, but I don't think they really are).

I've held off from recording a podcast for Missing Hen before now because I wanted to make sure it did something different from the shows - I didn't want it to just be a radio version of The News@Then or The Danger Signs (mind you, there are plenty of unused sketches for TDS that have no visual component to the jokes).

No, instead I wanted to look at how we shift Missing Hen from being a body of work that's just distributed via the Internet into something that could only be produced by using the Internet. A big task with lots of possibilities and this podcast is just the first babysteps towards opening up a bit - publishing more than just the final product.

In practical terms, we're going to use the podcast as a kind of side channel. It might be funny, but that's not its main function. It'll have more of a behind the scenes/newsy role.

That's the plan anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works. Which I guess is very appropriate for the Internet - being the start of the question, rather than the closed complete answer...

Posted with LifeCast

Extracurricular Hens

2009-06-13T19:19:00.007+01:00

By complete coincidence two of the Missing Hen team are contributing to video projects tonight - in Birmingham and Dusseldorf.

Firstly, Peter's shot and edited a film of the Goodwood Revival, to be screened tonight at Stan's Cafe's 24 Hour Scalextric in a warehouse in Birmingham. The event's designed to tie into the 24 hour Le Mans driving race that takes place this weekend and films are being curated by 7inch Cinema. Brum, brum.

UPDATE: Here are some rather groovy "Through The Viewfinder" pics of the event, from Pete Ashton's blog.

Then, by way of explanation of what Phil was doing in a carpark wearing a long black ladies' evening glove a couple of week's ago (see pics), here's details of Cafe Continental, a cabaret show Phil helped film at the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath as part of a recreation of vintage German Television for an arts festival currently running in Dusseldorf. This page has details of what's on, but it's in German, so here's the relevant paragraph from it (translated badly by Google):

21:15
The best-known entertainment television broadcast of the English is the first time by all television channels over Europe. Alexandra Taylor (Birmingham) & guests.

I trust that makes it all very clear. Thank you.

News@Then: Plague

2009-06-12T08:23:00.002+01:00

Bring out your dead - but only once a fortnight. Council causes corpse chaos as they cut cadaver collections. In a new episode of The News@Then, we report live from the 14th century as the Black Death takes a turn for the worse.

See the episode on blip.tv, YouTube or download from iTunes.

N@T: The Apprentice

2009-06-07T09:48:00.001+01:00

Just in time for today's final of the Apprentice - see, we can do topical gags on an historical news show - it's Lord Sir Alan Sugar in the 16th century, seeking out the finest business brains of the era.

See the sketch on YouTube, Blip.tv or download from iTunes.

Filming the Mayor of London

2009-06-01T22:28:00.001+01:00

IMG_3285
Originally uploaded by missinghen

It's hot outside in Spring 2009, but it's also a bit too hot in Summer 1348 as Mayor of London Richard Whittington announces controversial changes to refuse collection services. From the new episode of The News@Then, likely to be posted in the next week.

It's amazing what you can do with Brylcreem. Hair can go down as well as up.

New Danger Signs coming soon

2009-05-28T21:58:00.001+01:00

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Originally uploaded by missinghen

Yes, we promised it quite a time ago now, but we are busy working on new episodes of The Danger Signs to run alongside The News@Then.

Expect consumer-based chaos as we leap out from the greenscreen and actually do some filming on location. Some time in June.

In the meantime, here's a picture of Jack Bauer leaping into action...

Filming Alan Sugar

2009-03-31T22:34:00.003+01:00

Crack out the hats with buckles on it - it's time for Puritan Alan Sugar, brought to life tonight in the studio by Meds. He also slapped on a bit of futuristic make-up (think Blake's 7) as James "Horny Pony" Jackson. All will become clear. Possibly.

News@Then: Attack The Moon

2009-03-13T22:38:00.002Z

More News@Then as Kerry uncovers a Victorian plot to pop the moon.

Click here to see it on blip.tv and here to see it on YouTube.

News@Then: Werewolves

2009-02-01T14:17:00.002Z

A new segment from the News@Then for you, as Kerry reports from the 17th century on scientists planning to reintroduce werewolves to the wild.

Click here to see it on YouTube.

News@Then: Kicking the Habit

2009-01-17T21:52:00.004Z

It's here. The first episode of the new show, in which we report on Henry VIII's abolition of the monasteries.

Here's the YouTube link - Kicking the Habit

iPod-friendly versions to follow through blip.tv and the iTunes feed later tonight.

News@Then wallpaper

2009-01-10T11:40:00.002Z

The first episode of the News@Then is almost ready and will be uploaded next weekend. In the meantime, here's some desktop wallpaper.

So, if you fancy having us all staring out of your computer at you, download this!

From Wallpaper

Don't look down in the mouth

2009-01-08T14:29:00.002Z

More filming for the new episode of the Danger Signs, this time with the greenscreen. Featuring Kerry as an errant dentist and Peter as her boss. We also managed to shoot a new testcard using his jacket.

And finally, just to scare the carp out of the pond, we gave Kerry a crossbow for another sketch.

Click the picture for the full gallery.

Danger Signs filming - dentists and crossbows

Time and Relative Drinks in Space

2009-01-06T13:45:00.003Z

Fresh from his disappointment at not being named the next Doctor Who, Ranulph joined us for a bit of filming for the Danger Signs. Ranulph enjoyed swigging a whole range of exciting beverages - even if at times he couldn't keep all of them in his mouth. With the sight of Ranulph back in his alleyway you know that whatever happens to the economy, some things never change.

The campaign for the 12th Doctor's Tardis starts here!

Click on the pic for the full gallery.

Danger Signs filming - Ranulph

New year - new show

2009-01-04T21:49:00.004Z

Hello - we've been away for a bit, but we've not been resting on our laurels. We've been working on new sketches for the Danger Signs - expect a new episode soon - as well as shooting a new show called The News@Then. It's set in the future and is all about the past.

We've just uploaded a new year mini episode of The Danger Signs that will make everything a little bit more clear - and also includes bloopers from the last three years of the show.

Here's the link.

We'll also be uploading more material on a regular basis - we plan on a busy 2009!

Sketch - Ranulph's new job

2008-03-30T22:06:00.003+01:00

Another sketch featuring our favourite gentleman of the road, Ranulph. He's moved to Birmingham, to get a new job...

Click to see the sketch on Youtube

Sketch - Ranulph's Handle

2008-03-13T18:51:00.003Z

Ranulph has a very important job. And he uses a handle to do it. A sketch from DS4, written by and featuring Simon Meddings as Ranulph.

Click here for the sketch.

Sketch - Vader's Bathroom

2008-03-03T09:53:00.003Z

A long time ago, in a bathroom far, far, away... A sketch from episode 5 of The Danger Signs.

Click here for the sketch.

New episode - Danger Signs 5

2008-02-20T23:19:00.005Z

It's cold outside, so here's a new episode to keep you warm. This time we visit Vader's bathroom, look at the work of celebrity medium Doris Stokes and listen to one of Richard's Tales from the Crapt. You have been warned...

Click here for the show

Sketch - Dining Alone

2007-10-21T18:32:00.000+01:00

Peter used to travel around Europe. He wrote this sketch from the personal experience of what it's like to go into a restaurant and ask for a table for one. And a chair.

click here for the sketch

Sketch - Fighting planes

2007-10-07T23:15:00.000+01:00

A sketch from Danger Signs 4, as the Red Baron takes to the skies in black and white to shoot down our hero and his kite... pip pip.

Click here for the sketch.

Sketch - Apocalypse Now! Apocalypse When?

2007-09-28T01:31:00.001+01:00

A sketch from The Danger Signs 1, as Richard embodies Francis Ford Coppola in a very enthusiastic fashion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElqQr42S9yQ

Sketch - Lifting the Lid on Film with Mark Commode

2007-08-20T22:31:00.000+01:00

This week's sketch features Mark Commode delivering a passionate tribute to a fine Scandinavian film-maker. From The Danger Signs 3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itmEe7OPNDw

Cartoon concerning child poverty

2007-08-14T23:33:00.000+01:00

Mopisode - Dalek hangover

2007-08-12T16:47:00.000+01:00

What's a mopisode? It's a composite word, implying both mobile (as in phone) and episode (as in fit). In this case, it's Phil reflecting on what the YouTube stats really mean. What's so interesting about our most popular sketch so far? Find out in this mopisode.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZYMfVj0qyQ

Sketch - Dalek hangover

2007-08-12T11:13:00.001+01:00

A new sketch on the sidebar - from Danger Signs 3, it's the Dalek hangover. Filmed in Meds' kitchen, which I'm sure has never seen a real hangover.

Link for RSS readers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWdXG2wGogg

DS4 is go, go go...

2007-08-06T22:59:00.000+01:00

It's a hot and steamy night out there - just right for another episode of The Danger Signs. For those of you reading this through RSS readers, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QhmwiI9Bwg

Enjoy!

Mystic Phil says...

2007-08-04T16:37:00.000+01:00

I've seen the immediate future, and it's got a new episode of The Danger Signs in it. Honestly. This picture of me comes from the final sketch for ep4, wot that we've just filmed, so it must be ready soon.

We've got a bear with us...

2007-08-04T00:50:00.000+01:00

...and it's been growling for another episode. Which is on the way. Hence the redesign around here. We'll be posting the next episode in a couple of days. Thanks for your patience!