Whoops Baghdad (1973)
Whoops Baghdad is a BBC television comedy programme first broadcast from 25 January to 1 March 1973. The series stars Frankie Howerd, and was similar to his earlier programme Up Pompeii!, with the setting moved from Ancient Rome to mediaeval Baghdad. However, it was significantly less successful than its predecessor, only running for six episodes and is little remembered, although all episodes survive. The original proposed title, Up Baghdad, was rejected because it was felt that it might have been seen as supportive of the then-current Iraqi regime.
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Episode 1 - The Wazir Takes a Wife
Release Date: 1973-01-25When the Wazir of Baghdad decides it is time for a new wife, Ali Oopla, his servant, begins a search for suitable candidates.
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Episode 2 - Festival of Magic
Release Date: 1973-02-01Ali is caught up in a curious case of identity confusion when Baghdad plays host to a festival of magic, and the most powerful sorcerers in the land arrive in town.
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Episode 3 - Genie of the Bottle
Release Date: 1973-02-08The Wazir hopes to marry his two daughters, Boobiana and Saccharine, off as the latest wives of the Sultan, the richest man in the world. However, he'll need to raise a dowry, and that could involve selling Ali to become a galley slave!
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Episode 4 - A Cargo of Crumpet
Release Date: 1973-02-15Ali's sent to the market to purchase a woman for his master to gift to the Caliph. Unfortunately a rival bidder is particularly wealthy, and Ali must pull some tricks out of his sleeve to avoid being roasted alive himself!
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Episode 5 - Ali and the Thieves
Release Date: 1973-02-22Ali is initially less than concerned when his master is captured for ransom or slavery by thieves operating on behalf of a foreign ruler — until, that is, he is reminded of the law decreeing the death of a slave upon the loss of his master!
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Episode 6 - Saved from the Harem
Release Date: 1973-03-01When the Caliph expresses his desire to take Saccharine as his latest wife, Ali is entasked with finding the innocent girl a new husband first.
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Episode 7 - Curtis Unglued
Release Date:Curtis becomes devastated after the loss of his necktie. When it is found again, it makes him believe he is in the year 1986, before the nuclear holocaust happened.
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Episode 8 - Dumb Love
Release Date:The group finds out Suzanne is in love, and the men clamor amongst themselves to see who is the one she has fallen for. When they find out she is in love with Jack, he is glad, but she cannot stand the fact he loves to go exploring and push his shopping cart around to collect things he finds on his expeditions. The song My Guy is the theme played all throughout this episode. Meanwhile, mutated squash has grown, which comes in all colors and makes a sound akin to "mach" when squeezed.
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Episode 9 - The Thanksgiving Show
Release Date:After a turkey is found on the farm, it grows into a gigantic turkey after eating radioactive grain.
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Episode 10 - Say It Ain't So, Santa
Release Date:Christmas is approaching, but it is not the same as the nuclear holocaust has ruined much of the world's evergreen tree population. While cleaning out the chimney, the group finds Santa Claus has visited the group, but appears depressed. He later reveals to the group that he is suffering survivor's guilt as his workshop at the North Pole had a fallout shelter, but the door slammed shut and Mrs. Claus and all the elves were unable to get inside. Stuart Pankin guest starred as Santa.