The Sum Awards

## Bio

The **Sum Awards** is a British television awards show that recognizes the best of television. Interspersed with public interviews with people from the street giving their opinions on the programming they appreciate. It is hosted by Dickie Davies joined by a lovely co-presenter (Jenny Lee-Wright in brunette wig).

Filmed at the Eureka Hotel, the program includes interstitial shots of people in the street trying to promote their favorite TV shows. One man (Benny) shares his preference for the "Black and White Minstrels" while another man (Henry McGee leans to promote "Quest." In an second spot, a housewife (Benny} says she prefers romantic programs and describes a scene from one of them. In the third, an old Jewish man describing his favorite television series as another man (Eddie Buchanan) leans in and mentions "Crossroads."

In the Best Candidate Category, Davis announces the winner is Patrick MacNee for his work in "The New Avengers." In the clip, MacNee (Benny) as John Steed gets a job from Black Fox and starts getting tips from a patient (Suzy Mandel?) at the hospital. He meets his contact (Jenny Lee Wright) at the library where he, Miss Purdy and Gambit (Jackie Wright) fight a spy (Eddie Buchanan).

The Male Personality of the Year is Mangus Magnusson (Benny) of "Mastermind." In a clip, he tests a male model named Sydney Bottocks (Jackie Wright]), who is married, has fifteen children and likes flying his kite. His category choice is the Arts. Magnusson stoically tests Buttocks with a straight face, but he misses every single question, getting the lowest score on the show and suddenly disappearing in a puff of smoke after Magnusson hits a button.

Dennis Roussous (Eddie Buchanan appears to give the Critic's Choice award to "I, Claudius." In the clip, Antonia (Rita Webb) and Quantus (Henry McGee) plot to poison the constantly stammering Claudius (Benny) when he won't abdicate. After failing to sacrifice a slave (Jackie Wright), he finally decides to give himself up to several young maidens. (Jenny Lee-Wright, Diana Darvey, Linda Robinson, Sue Upton, Suzy Mandel).

Davies then wraps the show surrounded by the girls from the show.

## Trivia

* The Sum Awards doesn't seem to be based on any actual movie or television awards show. The name could possibly a pun on "some awards."
* Spencer Shires is the location reporter getting opinions of the people in the street.
	+ The by-standers in the first interview are Rita Webb, Eddie Buchanan, Linda Robinson, Marie Hill, Henry McGee and possibly Jenny Westbrook with her back to the camera.
	+ The second set of by-standers include John Gallant, Linda Robinson (obscured), Eddie Buchanan and Marie Hill
	+ The third set includes John Gallant (obscured), Donny Hill, Linda Robinson and Eddie Buchanan.
* Linda Robinson plays the wardrobe lady caught on camera.
* The candidates for Best Actor are Patrick McNee, Neils and Tiddles the Wonder Cat.
* In "The New Avengers," the cast includes Linda Robinson (Miss Purdy), Henry McGee (doctor), Rita Webb (nurse), Suzy Mandel? (patient), Spencer Shires (library patron #1), Diana Darvey (library patron #2), Jenny Lee Wright (brunette spy), Eddie Buchanan (foreign spy), John Gallant (stunt man), Jackie Wright (Gambit) and Henry McGee (Skipper/Black Fox).
	+ William Brown of "Benny's Place" guesses the stockings and cleavage shots are that of Linda Robinson and Jenny Lee-Wright. The legs behind Benny at the start are probably Diana Darvey.
* The hospital in "The New Avengers" spoof is St. John Thomas Hospital which is also the location of the tag on April 25, 1984.
* In "Mastermind," Benny and Jackie are joined by Marie Hill. Linda Robinson, Eddie Buchanan and Spencer Shires.
* Benny also parodied "Mastermind" as Master Braine on March 14, 1979.
* When Eddie Buchanan appears as Dennis Roussous, Jackie Wright and Rita Webb are playing extra female presenters. He previously played Roussous on April 21, 1976.
* Jenny Lee-Wright ("Please don't stand there!") and Diana Darvey play Royal Attendants in "I, Claudius." Eddie Buchanan plays the Roman guard.
* In the close, Benny is surrounded by Jenny Westbrook, Suzy Mandel, Rita Webb, Diana Darvey and Sue Upton(?) along with Henry McGee, Donny Hill, Bob Todd and Spencer Shires in drag.

## Gallery

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