Mike and Angelo
An alien and a boy navigate life together.
Mike and Angelo is a British children's television sci-fi sitcom that aired on CITV from 1989 to 2000. It is ITV's longest-running sitcom by series count. The show follows an American boy who befriends an alien discovered in a wardrobe.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Sitcom
- Creator
- Grant Cathro; Lee Pressman
- Writer
- Grant Cathro
- Lee Pressman
- Alex Bartlette
- Starring
- Shelley Thompson
- Matt Wright
- Tyler Butterworth
- Tim Whitnall
- Michael Benz
- Katy Murphy
- Gemma Gregory
- Steven Geller
- Composer
- Alan Coates; Kim Goody
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Series
- 12
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The series initially centred on Mike King and his mother Rita moving to London from the United States after her divorce. In their new house, Mike discovers a mysterious wardrobe that bursts open containing Angelo, an alien from another world. Angelo has no knowledge of life on Earth, so relies on Mike to understand the world he has crashed on, while Mike is helped by Angelo to integrate into London life. Together they have adventures within the house, with Angelo inventing things, walking on ceilings, and misunderstanding human behaviour. The series frequently featured guest actors including Ron Moody, John Savident, Christopher Ryan, Brian Murphy and Anthony O'Donnell.
History
The title is a play on the name of the painter Michelangelo. Creators Grant Cathro and Lee Pressman had toyed with making Angelo a guardian angel towards Mike, inspired by Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam, but that idea was ultimately unutilised. They set the series in Cricklewood, London, which later became the setting of their series Spatz. The first two series had a comedy-drama tone, with early episodes billed as a drama, and featured a flute-led theme tune by Jim Parker. When the first two series were repeated in 1990, the theme tune was replaced by a version written by David Stafford, a new opening narration by Matt Zimmerman was added, and a laugh track was dubbed on. These changes were partly to make the series more uniform for potential sale to American stations, which never fully happened. Series 3 saw Tim Whitnall replace Tyler Butterworth as Angelo, with the character regenerating after falling ill. The tone shifted toward the fantastical and farcical, with Angelo creating inventions that run out of control and occasionally summoning historical figures. Mike King moved back to the US at the beginning of Series 4, and Ellie, a young neighbour, filled the gap for the rest of that series.
Cast and characters
Angelo, a goofy but kind-hearted alien from the planet Ptarg, was played by Tyler Butterworth from 1989 to 1990 and by Tim Whitnall from 1990 to 2000. Mike King, the original American teenager who discovers Angelo, was played by Matt Wright from 1989 to 1991. Rita King, Mike's mother and the house owner, was played by Shelley Thompson from 1989 to 1994. Mike Mason, Rita's nephew and the second Mike, was played by Michael Benz from 1993 to 1998. Katy Andrews, the Scottish housekeeper, was played by Katy Murphy from 1995 to 2000. Michaela 'Mickey' Fawkes-Bentley, niece of neighbour Daphne, was played by Gemma Gregory in 1999. The final Mike, Katy's nephew, was played by Steven Geller in 2000. Cyril Pinner, a nosey neighbour, was played by John Levitt from 1989 to 1994. Philippa Fraser, a snooty neighbour, was played by Alessia Gwyther from 1989 to 1991. Brett Douglas, Rita's friend, was played by Gavin Richards from 1989 to 1993. Nancy Mancini, Rita's mother, was played by Libby Morris from 1989 to 1991. Tony King, Rita's former husband, was played by Jeff Harding from 1989 to 1991. Ellie was played by Jade Magri in 1991. Melanie Pinner, Mr Pinner's niece, was played by Alexandra Milman from 1993 to 1994. Uncle Bob was played by Ron Berglas in 1995. Sam, Mike Mason's girlfriend, was played by Katie Pearson in 1995. Daphne Fawkes-Bentley, the stuck-up neighbour, was played by Elizabeth Estensen from 1995 to 2000, with her character referencing the T-Bag character from the creators' earlier show.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Mike and Angelo are there?
Mike and Angelo has 123 episodes across 12 seasons.
When did Mike and Angelo first air?
Mike and Angelo first aired on 16 March 1989.
When did Mike and Angelo end?
Mike and Angelo last aired on 7 March 2000.
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