CHAPPELL OF LOSS
Playwright and sitcom writer Eric Chappell has died aged 88. The first play he wrote, The Banana Box, ended up as a prototype for his most enduring success, hit ITV sitcom Rising Damp. One of the channel’s most popular sitcoms to this day, Chappell’s scripts were credited with giving depth to the programme’s tackling of class and race issues with prejudiced landlord Rigsby undergoing character development throughout the series. He remained active writing ITV sitcoms until the early 90s, with Only When I Laugh and The Bounder among his further successes. Two comedy-oriented theme teams seize this year’s continued rough spell for Britcom figures.
Eric Chappell
25 September 1933 – 21 April 2022, aged 88
2 TEAMS (💀💀💀💀💀💀 6 POINTS)