Mike and Angelo


Mike and Angelo is a British sci-fi TV sitcom series, that ran on CITV between 16 March 1989 and 7 March 2000.

Plot

The show's initial premise centres on Mike King, and his mother Rita moving to London from the United States after she divorces Mike's father. In their new house, Mike discovers a mysterious wardrobe. It bursts open containing Angelo, an alien who came from another world; the portal being the wardrobe. Angelo has no knowledge of life on Earth or of his own - so relies on the help of Mike to understand the world he has crashed on. At the same time, Mike is in turn helped by Angelo to integrate into life in London.
Together, Mike and Angelo get up to all kinds of crazy adventures - all within the vicinity of the house that they live in. Angelo is always inventing something crazy, or walking on the ceiling, or summoning up historical figures from the past.
The first of the show's many cast changes occurs at the beginning of Series 3, with Tim Whitnall replacing Tyler Butterworth as Angelo - after the character 'regenerated', a concept first used in Doctor Who in the first episode of the series. Tim Whitnall would remain the character for the next 9 years of the show's run.
Mike King moves back to the US at the beginning of Series 4 to be with his dad. Ellie, a neighbour would fill the gap left by the character for the rest of the series.
Series 5 marks the noticeable beginning of the show's shift away from its original Drama/Comedy roots to farcical Sitcom. This was also the first series to be produced by Tetra Films, and to feature the shows "iconic" theme composed by Kim Goody and Alan Coates. Rita's nephew Mike Mason is introduced - eventually becoming the longest running "Mike" character by featuring in 5 of the 12 series'.
Katy Andrews is introduced in Series 7 as the new housekeeper - replacing Rita who has gone back to the USA.
Series 11 began with Angelo and Katy reading a postcard explaining that Mike was having a good time in America. In his place, Daphne Fawkes-Bentley's niece Mickey became Angelo's sidekick.
For the final series, Katy's nephew, also called Mike, joined. The final series was shown in 2000. Sadly, Geller died in 2015 aged 30.
Writers Lee Pressman and Grant Cathro set Mike & Angelo in Cricklewood, London. Their later series Spatz was set in the same area.

Cast and Characters

Main

Angelo is a goofy alien from the planet of Ptarg. He has the ability to make crazy inventions for his friends and among other things, is able to on the ceiling.
The original Mike, Mike King discovers Angelo and helps him accustom to life on Earth - all while ensuring no-one finds out his secret.
Rita is the owner of the house and Mike's mother. She is aware of Angelo and helps her son keep him a secret from visitors to the house.
The second and longest-appearing Mike, Mike Mason is the nephew of Rita.
The quick-tempered housekeeper who takes over looking after the house.
The niece of neighbour Daphne, Mickey is more fun-loving than her aunt.
The final Mike, he is snarky and intended to act as a Straight man to Angelo.

Supporting

A nosey neighbour, Mr Pinner is suspicious of the events happening next door.
A young snooty neighbour who attempts to befriend Mike King.
Rita's friend who is suspicious of Angelo.
Sassy and a gossip, she stays occasionally in the house.
Father of Mike King who has a strained relationship with Rita.
Neighbourhood girl who helps Angelo in Series 4.
Mike Mason's girlfriend in Series 5 and 6, niece of Mr Pinner.
Uncle of Mike Mason who checks in on Mike, Angelo and Katy regularly in Series 7.
Mike Mason's girlfriend in Series 7.
The stuck-up neighbour and aunt of Mickey. Played by Elizabeth Estensen, who portrayed the first T-Bag in fellow Lee Pressman and Grant Cathro show T-Bag. As a result, much of her character is in reference to the character of T-Bag.
Mike Mason's girlfriend in Series 9 and 10.

Old Skool Weekend

In 2013, two episodes of Mike & Angelo were repeated on CITV as part of its 30th anniversary Old Skool Weekend: