Peter Harris (director)
Peter Harris (1933 – 23 February 2021) was an English television director, best known for his work on The Muppet Show, Spitting Image and Bullseye.
Life and career
Harris was one of just two directors on the original The Muppet Show, working on the first 73 episodes.[1]
In 1984, Harris became the director of the British satirical television puppet show Spitting Image. He was chosen for the role due to his previous work on The Muppet Show.[2]
During the 1980s, Harris also directed the British game show Bullseye, and coined several of the catchphrases of presenter Jim Bowen, including "Stay out of the black and in the red, there's nothing in this game for two in a bed".[3] Behind the scenes, Harris was also tasked with finding the prizes for the show, which included a range of speedboats.[4]
He died from COVID-19 in a nursing home in Ferndown, Dorset, on 23 February 2021, at the age of 88.[5][6][7]
References
- Muppets Director Peter Harris Passes Away at 88
- 30 facts for 30 years – The truth about 'Spitting Image'
- BBC Sport: You can't beat a bit a' bully!
- Bully's star prize that was made in the Midlands – and the catchphrase that Jim Bowen never said
- Funeral of Muppet Show director Peter Harris held in Poole
- RIP Muppet Show Director Peter Harris
- Tributes to Peter Harris, one of TV's best loved directors, behind Tiswas and Spitting Image