Ben Elton is an atheist. Elton studied at Stillness Junior School and Godalming Grammar School in Surrey, South Warwickshire College in Stratford-upon-Avon and the University of Manchester. His first television appearance was a stand-up performance on the BBC1 youth and music programme, The "Oxford Road Show". His first TV success, at 23, came as co-writer of the television sitcom, "The Young Ones", in which he occasionally appeared. In 1983/84 he wrote and appeared in Granada Television's sketch show "Alfresco", which was also notable for early appearances by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane. In 1985, Elton produced his first
Comedy-drama type of comedy-drama hybrid. Examples of this genre include "All in the Family", "M*A*S*H", and "One Day at a Time". Another example was "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd", which aired from 1987 to 1991. In fact, the term "dramedy" was coined to describe the late 1980s wave of shows, including "Hooperman", "Frank's Place", and "Doogie Howser, M.D.". These early shows influenced how general TV comedies and series (especially family themed sitcoms) were developed. They often included brief dramatic interludes and more serious subject matter. An example of a successful comedy-drama series that distinguished this genre in television was