View source for Down the 'Gate (partially found ITV comedy series; 1975-1976)

{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>Down the 'Gate</center>
|image=Downthegate1.jpg
|imagecaption=DVD cover for ''Down the 'Gate'''s second series.
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> 
}}
'''''Down the 'Gate''''' is a British comedy series broadcast on ITV that ran for two series from 1975 to 1976. It was a sitcom starring Reg Varney as Reg Furnell, a fish porter within London's Billingsgate fish market.

==Background==
Most known for starring in ''On the Buses'' as bus driver Stan Butler, Reg Varney ultimately left the show midway in its final series to focus on new cabaret shows.<ref name="buses">[https://google.co.uk/books/edition/On_The_Buses/VR25BAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1967&printsec=frontcover ''On the Buses: The Complete Story'' detailing Varney leaving ''On the Buses'' and appearing in shows like ''Down the 'Gate''.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="dvd">[https://dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s4260lee.html ''DVD Talk'''s review of ''Down the 'Gate''.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="mirror">[https://google.co.uk/books/edition/Sunday_Mirror/hwOv_A8q900C?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA19&printsec=frontcover ''The Sunday Mirror'' reporting on Varney starring in ''Down the 'Gate'' following ''On the Buses''.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref> After starring in a sketch show of his own name from 1973 to 1974, Varney successfully pitched the creation of ''Down the 'Gate'' to ATV.<ref name="heaven">[https://televisionheaven.co.uk/reviews/down-the-gate ''Television Heaven'' detailing the show, its conception, and providing a summary of its content.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="dvd"/> This was his first sitcom since ''On the Buses'', but would also prove to be his last.<ref name="classic">[https://britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/down-the-gate-1975 ''British Classic Comedy'' summarising the show and noting ITV assumed it would be a hit.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="network">[https://networkonair.com/all-products/1751-down-the-gate ''Network'' summarising the show and noting the recordings Varney provided that are now sold on DVD.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="heaven"/><ref name="buses"/><ref name="dvd"/>

''Down the 'Gate'' followed the life and misadventures of Reg Furnell, a fish porter for Preston & Davies situated within London's Billingsgate fish market.<ref name="heaven"/><ref name="dvd"/><ref name="classic"/><ref name="network"/> Alongside recurring characters such as Old Wol and Harry, Furnell would also be in continual conflict with his aggressive and demanding boss Mr Preston, with him generally attempting to bunk off work.<ref name="dvd"/><ref name="heaven"/> Additionally, Furnell would engage in challenges and battles with Harry, as well as his brother-in-law Clive.<ref name="dvd"/> He is also married to Irene, but generally engages in risqué interactions with other women at work, much to Irene's dismay.<ref name="dvd"/> Written by Roy Tuvey and Maurice Sellar, who also wrote sketches for Varney's sketch show, the show was described by ''Television Heaven'' as a "typical mid 70s fare", with many comparisons to ''On the Buses''.<ref name="heaven"/><ref name="dvd"/> Aside from the aforementioned authoritarian conflict, ''Down the 'Gate'' also contained jokes of its era, including corny humour and women in somewhat revealing clothing.<ref name="heaven"/><ref name="dvd"/>

Because of ''On the Buses''' success, Varney was deemed a valuable asset for ITV, who were keen to broadcast ''Down the 'Gate'' in prime-time Wednesday night slots.<ref name="classic"/><ref name="heaven"/> Its first episode aired on 23rd July 1975.<ref name="series1">[https://comedy.co.uk/tv/down_the_gate/episodes/1/ ''British Comedy Guide'' listing all episodes of Series 1.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="brain">[https://tvbrain.info/tv-archive?showname=down+the+gate&type=lostshow ''Kaleidoscope'' noting that Series 1 is completely missing, and that the broadcast tapes for Series 2 are lost.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref> Ultimately, the show was not especially regarded from a critical or rating standpoint, as despite the comparisons to ''On the Buses'', it suffered with poor characterisation.<ref name="heaven"/><ref name="classic"/> Additionally, ''DVD Talk'' criticised the show for its over-reliance on slapstick humour that fails to fully deliver.<ref name="dvd"/> ATV produced another series in 1976, imposing several character changes, but unremarkable ratings resulted in the show's cancellation, following its final episode on 29th August 1976.<ref name="heaven"/><ref name="classic"/><ref name="network"/> In total, 12 episodes were produced; this consisted of five for the first series, and seven for the second.<ref name="series1"/><ref name="series2">[https://comedy.co.uk/tv/down_the_gate/episodes/2/ ''British Comedy Guide'' listing all episodes of Series 2.] Retrieved 22nd Aug '22</ref><ref name="brain"/><ref name="dvd"/>

==Availability==
Because of the show's failure, ATV opted not to archive it.<ref name="classic"/><ref name="dvd"/> Thus, no broadcast copies of either series are known to have survived.<ref name="brain"/><ref name="classic"/><ref name="network"/><ref name="dvd"/> However, when it appeared that ''Down the 'Gate'' would become another completely missing British television show, it was revealed that Varney had made home recordings of the entirety of Series 2.<ref name="network"/><ref name="classic"/><ref name="dvd"/><ref name="brain"/> These would all be made publicly available as part of a DVD set, where they were deemed of good quality by ''DVD Talk'' considering they were recorded back in 1976.<ref name="network"/><ref name="dvd"/> No episodes of the first series have resurfaced since.<ref name="network"/><ref name="classic"/><ref name="brain"/>

==External Link==
*[https://imdb.com/title/tt0162074/ IMDB page for ''Down the 'Gate''.]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]