Carry On Laughing which - by contrast - are broadcast regularly on British television. It is also considered much less successful at transferring the established formula to the small screen than the "Carry On Christmas specials". The series was conceived after the departures of two long-serving "Carry On" contributors: writer Talbot Rothwell and actor Charles Hawtrey. Furthermore, Kenneth Williams declined to appear in the series. Other "Carry On" regulars only appeared in a minority of episodes: Sid James in only the first four, Hattie Jacques in only one; and Bernard Bresslaw appeared only in the second series. In the absence of Rothwell, other
Hancock's Half Hour broadcast during the autumn season. Only Sid James transferred from the radio series, although Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques each made a couple of appearances. The television version drew on a stock company of actors, who played different supporting characters in each episode. Semi-regulars included Liz Fraser, John Le Mesurier, Hugh Lloyd, Arthur Mullard and John Vyvyan. The final television series, broadcast in 1961, was retitled "Hancock", as it was shortened from a half-hour to 25 minutes. For this final series Sid James was no longer in the cast, as Hancock had become frustrated with the format. Some of the