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Bless This House: Blood Is Thicker Than Water (1973)
The Mafia enter Suburbia
On arriving home from work, Sid is told his cousin Tony from America is coming to stay, in desperate need for a room. Sid knows little about Tony, only that his Father, Uncle Fred, died in a gang related murder some years before. When it is discovered that Tony's mother is Italian, could it be that this desperate man has fled America for fear of being captured due to being part of the Mafia?
A very funny episode, very silly stuff. A typical 'Bless this House' episode, full of misunderstandings, full of characters digging bigger and bigger holes for themselves, full of stuff that simply wouldn't happen in real life. But it works because it is funny.
Prolific American actor David Bauer plays Tony, a character with a weak heart. In a sad bit of irony, Bauer would die of a heart-attack five months after this episode was broadcast.
It turns out that Tony's Father was a policeman who was killed by the Mafia and that Tony has followed in Fred's footsteps by being a police chief Inspector in New York. He simply needed a room at Sid's house because he quarrelled with his wife. A simple quick two minute chat would have sorted that out surely, but that was not the way of 1970's ITV sitcoms.
Not Going Out: Gay (2007)
Not Coming Out
When Lucy makes a homophobic comment to her new work colleague Guy (who she is told is gay), she uses the old 'how can I be gay, I have a gay flatmate' line. Asking Lee to pretend to be gay for one evening while Guy comes round for dinner, Lee reluctantly goes along with it, but says for one evening only. But when Guy offers Lee free corporate tickets to watch England, will he be willing to be gay for a bit longer...
This was a quality episode of the excellent sitcom 'Not Going Out' full of the usual brilliant one liners and characters digging larger and larger holes for themselves. As it turns out, Guy isn't gay either and he ends up dating Lucy, appearing on a semi-regular basis for the rest of the second series.
Me and my mate pretended to be a gay couple once to get in a gay bar. The bouncer believed us.
After a fine first series where Lee's flatmate was Californian Kate (Megan Dobbs), Sally Bretton's Lucy became Lee's new flatmate and remains so as six series have now been made. Two episodes into the role and Bretton seems totally at home here. An excellent comedy with a 70's sitcom feel about it. In my view, 'Not Going Out' is Britain's best sitcom since the turn of the century.
Citizen Khan: Alia's College (2013)
Khan's return
In the Autumn of 2012, Britain's first Muslim sitcom, 'Citizen Khan' was aired. Very much a tame, family sitcom, I was surprised at the shows time-slot (10.30 on a Monday night for a family sitcom), but far more surprised by the 200+ complaints the BBC received, attacking the show for being offensive towards Muslims. This I could not understand, this could very well have been 'My Family', it just so happened the main characters happened to be Muslims. I suspect that these complaints did not come from Muslims themselves, but from middle class Daily Mail/ Guardian reading white people who are just generally anti everything. Anyway, I watched all the first series and I quite enjoyed it. The title character played by Adil Ray was a brilliant comedy creation, a wonderful, eccentric, committee busy body, nosey throat clearing man. However, it must be said that every other character in it was rather undeveloped and poor. But it succeeded in making me laugh and for the poor scheduling, it got good viewing figures. So I was not surprised and was happy to hear a second series had been commissioned, in a prime time slot on a Friday night.
The first episode kicked off last night with Mr Khan's daughter Alia failing here GCSE's, prompting Khan to get her into The Muslim Academy. Put off the price, he sees the potential of a scholarship at the Catholic Academy. With scholarships only open to minority, persecuted religions, Khan makes up a Muslim Sect. Can he get away with it and get the Scholarship?
Playing the headmaster was James Fleet, 'Vicar of Dibley' fans may remember him as Hugo.
This was a strong opener in my opinion, had me laughing a lot in places. Yet, like every episode of the first series, I concluded that Khan is top draw but nobody else is. One or two more stronger characters and this would be so much better. But Khan was at his best during the first episode of the second series, full of great energy, digging himself bigger and bigger holes. As events start to work against him, he finds himself performing the Macarena among other things, as it is part of the Sect. This has a very much 70's sitcom feel about it, full of misunderstandings that simply don't happen in real life and double entendres, for example, the headmaster proclaims 'I've always been fascinated by Muslim sects. Would you say you're quite orthodox?'. A shocked Khan replies 'Quite orthodox. Bedroom mostly'.
Despite its flaws, a very entertaining start to the second series, looking forward to the next episode.
Two in Clover: Episode #2.6 (1970)
From Lords to Fletchley
When Vic asks Sid to take part in a cricket match for the Vicar's eleven, he is reluctant. But when he hears of the booze up that follows, he's quick to get involved. At Fletchley Cricket Club, Sid is told Freddie Trueman is turning out for the opposition. When Sid accidentally hits a cricket ball through his car window, slags off his friend and knocks him unconscious with a cricket ball, it is fair to say he is not on the best of terms with the Yorkshire cricket legend. With only six runs needed to win, Sid finds himself last man in. Surely the fast bowler is not after revenge?
The final instalment of one of ITV's best sitcoms is blessed with some fine guest appearances. Graham Crowden who would be remembered for his role in the sitcom 'Waiting for God' appears as the Vicar. Sid, not knowing him to be the Vicar, talks to him about the Vicar, calling him a bible thumper. 'Are You Being Served?' star John Inman makes his very first television appearance in this episode as a very camp cricketer. And of course England cricket legend Freddie Trueman appears as himself. Sid James would not be the only comedy legend he would bowl at in 1970, later on that year he would bowl at Arthur Lowe during his guest appearance in the classic 'Dad's Army' episode 'The Test'.
A fine episode for 'Two in Clover' to bow out to. Sadly, the sitcom itself did not have a great innings, lasting only two series. A shame, because this forgotten gem may have been better remembered had it had another series. However, one year later James would reunite with scriptwriters Vince Powell and Harry Driver again in the far more memorable 'Bless this House'.
Dad's Army: The Test (1970)
Howzat
The ARP challenge the Home Guard to a game of cricket. Always up for a challenge, Mainwaring duly obliges. After some practise in the nets, the Home Guard seem all set to go, but when Hodges manages to get EC Egan (Freddie Trueman), a man who could have played for England had the war not started, a Home Guard victory seems in jeopardy.
A top class episode by a time 'Dad's Army' was reaching top form, all the characters by this point were excellently established and the scripts were peppered by first class lines. Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier were proving to be a top class partnership by this point. On telling Wilson he needs a haircut, Mainwaring dryly tells Wilson 'you're not a violin player you know'. Likewise Wilson asks Mainwaring will Mrs Mainwaring be coming to the cricket match. 'Not really, she's not really one for outdoor sports', 'More the indoor type?' 'No, I wouldn't really say that either'. In the end the Home Guard win the match thanks to an unlikely six by the ageing Godfrey.
I am really into my cricket at the minute due to The Ashes. I was at Old Trafford yesterday watching the first day of the third test. A most excellent day out, great sportsmanship and banter by all in the crowd, the kind of thing you just don't get at the scores of football matches I go to.
Playing EC Egan was England cricket legend 'Fiery' Fred Trueman. In fact, 1970 was his second appearance in a British sitcom, he also bowled against Sid James in Fletchley in the final instalment of the massively under-rated 'Two in Clover'.
Fiddlers Three: The Scapegoat (1991)
Time for someone to go
The first episode of Eric Chappell's 1991 sitcom 'Fiddlers Three', based on his 70's hit 'The Squirrels'.
As in most first episodes, this is something of a character introducing half hour. It tells the story of the stressed office worker Ralph West (Peter Davidson) who works in an office where little work is done, due to the laziness of West's colleagues Harvey (Peter Blake) and Osborne (Tyler Butterworth). The lack of work sees profits fall, leading to eccentric boss JJ Morley (Charles Kay) telling Ralph somebody has to go and it's Ralph's choice...
Having scored big in many classic sitcoms such as 'Rising Damp' 'The Bounder' and 'Only When I Laugh', it is fair to say 'Fiddlers Three' is not as fondly remembered as these previous Chappell sitcoms and it is easy to see why if this first episode is anything to go by, it is simply just not in the same league. But it was mildly entertaining all the same. These kind of sitcoms of which there have been many down the years are not thought provoking nor hilarious, but laughs are to be found throughout the episode. JJ Morley is a carbon copy of CJ from 'The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin', eccentric and power-mad (instead of CJ it was JJ).
Having watched only the first episode, I will watch the second. However, whether I will have the patience to watch all fourteen episodes will remain to be seen, at the minute, I see it unlikely. However, some funny moments are there and it is much better than the recent office/domestic based sitcom that is probably the worst sitcom I have ever seen, Ben Elton's 'The Wright Way'. Don't even get me started on that.
The Last Hangman (2005)
Psychologically Fascinating
This 2005 film stars 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' actor Timothy Spall as Britain's most efficient and prolific hangman, Albert Pierrepoint.
Grocery man Albert, married to Annie (Juliet Stevenson), lives a fairly normal life, except his Father and Uncle are hangmen. In 1932, the time comes for Albert to follow in the family footsteps. He manages his early jobs without gaining recognition, such as the execution of the murderer Dorothea Waddingham (Lizzie Hopley). By 1945, Albert has gained a reputation as the most efficient hangman in the country, leading to him being selected to fly to Germany and carry out the execution of around 200 Nazi war criminals, due to their part in the Holocaust. He becomes well known in the British press, seen by the newspapers as something of a hero. But how will the quiet Albert deal with this sudden fame and will it affect his ability to pull off capital punishment?
This was a powerful bit of cinema, very thought provoking. As expected, Spall puts in an outstanding performance as Pierrepoint. I particularly liked his moral standards, such as during the day he had to execute thirteen Nazi war criminals. Only twelve coffins were at the prison and he was told just to put the last one 'in the ground'. He refuses to do this, stating this man has paid the price for what he's done and he will be buried with dignity. As predicted, Albert can't deal with the sudden rush of fame (both positive and negative publicity) and things come to a head when he executes his friend Tish (Eddie Marsan) who murdered his ex-girlfriend. He can no longer live with being a hangman and resigns.
The film ends with a note saying Pierrepoint died an opponent of capital punishment. It didn't act as a deterrent, only a form of revenge. I have to say, I agree and am glad capital punishment was finally abolished in 1965. If one looks at the current case of Ian Brady, the Moors Murderer who clearly wants to die, then it is doing some good keeping him alive. Hanging would be way too good for him.
Last of the Summer Wine: Pâté and Chips (1973)
The Trio visit Upperdyke Hall
A great episode from the first series of 'Last of the Summer Wine'
Compo, Clegg and Cyril are off to Upperdyke Hall with Compo's nephew Chip, Chip's wife and their kids (about seven of them). Cyril as ever is moaning at the constant poor time keeping in the Simonite family. Upperdyke Hall is a stately home where behaviour is of the utmost importance. Surely Compo will behave himself won't he...
Some nice guest appearances in this episode. There is an early performance in it for Tony Haygarth playing Chip, he would go on as more of a dramatic actor, being very prolific. Playing the Guide for Upperdyke Hall is John Barrett, one of those sitcom actors who appeared in scores of British sitcoms in the 1960's and 70's.
This episode is from the first series of 'Summer Wine' which almost beggars belief when you watch one of the dire episodes from its final series which is airing now (series 31) that it is the same show. This doesn't have Russ Abbot in it. Neither does it have Howard and Marina on bikes. Neither does it have 8000 characters in it. All I can say is thank God for that.
Instead 'Pate & Chips' though not being a laugh a minute, is full of quality dialogue from the three leading players and is a joy to watch. Cyril's snobbishness really shows through in this episode, yet even he isn't above a good old booze up when the trio are finally thrown out of Upperdyke Hall. This episode really put the first series on the map and it would remain at a decent quality like this for another ten years or so.
Goodnight Sweetheart (1993)
Outstanding Time Travel Sitcom
'Goodnight Sweetheart' was one of the classic British sitcoms from the 1990's. It was on in a decade where we enjoyed 'One Foot in the Grave' 'Men Behaving Badly' and 'Father Ted' Though quite rightly, the seventies is regarded as the golden era of British sitcom, the nineties were also right up there in my opinion.
Gary Sparrow (Nicholas Lyndhurst) is just an ordinary man. He's a TV repairman. He's married to the sarcastic Yvonne (Michelle Holmes) and his best mate is Ron (Victor McGuire). One day, he is called to a place called Ducket's Passage, he goes down the road and he time travels back to 1940's London, where the Blitz is taking place. He goes into a pub called the Royal Oak. The Landlord is Eric(David Ryall) and he owns the pub with his daughter Phoebe (Dervla Kerwin). Gary begins dating Phoebe in war time London, posing as an MI5 agent. This leads to him stuck between two worlds. The second series begins with the news Eric has died in an air raid, so pub regular and policeman PC Reg Deadman (Christoper Ettridge) begins working in the pub part-time. However though it looks as though Gary's time travelling life could be over come the third series, when workmen start building on Ducket's Passage. He has to wait until the shops they are building are built and he opens a shop called 'Blitz and Pieces' where he sells War memorabilia he picks up from the 1940's for practically nothing and sells them. Series four sees Gary and Phoebe marry, so Gary in some ways becomes a bigamist and Phoebe also gives birth, so Gary has a Son named Michael. Series five sees Yvonne become a multi millionaire and Gary and Phoebe buy a flat up west and live a floor below Noel Coward (David Benson). As Gary owns the flat, Ron moves into it in the present day. The final series sees the whole saga resolved and Gary gets stuck in 1945.
The fourth series saw two major cast changes with Michelle Holmes and Dervla Kerwin leaving and being replaced by Emma Amos and Elizabeth Carling. I did prefer Holmes as Yvonne than Carling as Holmes was a bit more sarcastic. Yet it didn't really effect the series that much as without doubt the later episodes were the best. Nicholas Lyndhurst was outstanding as Gary, as was Victor McGuire as Ron and Christopher Etteridge as Reg.
The later episodes were the better ones in my opinion, as the plots became much more adventurous and led to some of the best episodes. It is little surprise therefore to see the classic episodes appearing in the latter half of the sitcom, such as 'The Leaving of Liverpool' where Gary and Phoebe visit Phoebe's Grandmother in Liverpool. A great two parter was 'We Don't Want to Lose You' followed by 'But we think we're going to have to' where Gary has to take on the Nazi's with the help of the French resistance. Another classic was 'The 'ouses' Between Us' where Gary goes through the wrong time gate and ends up in 1888 and he solves why Jack the Ripper was never caught. But the best episode for me was 'When Two World's Collide' where Phoebe ends up in the 1990's and there's a brief moment where she meets Yvonne. The episode after due to an uncontrolled time gate sees Ron in the 1940's much to Gary's annoyance.
Due to it being a romantic sitcom, not every episode was hilarious though all were well written, with wonderful plotting and many episodes were very funny and led to pain in laughter. Yet it was also full of dramatic moments as well, such as when Gary meets Reg in 1998 where he is suffering from dementia. Another very sad moment was when nobody attended Reg's Police retirement party. It was very sad for me as by that point Reg had emerged as my favourite character in the series.
'Goodnight Sweetheart' continues to get repeated on ITV3 and all the episodes can be enjoyed on DVD. It is a classic sitcom in my opinion. You also learn a lot as well from a Historical point of view. If I could be any sitcom character, I would be Gary Sparrow, being able to time travel with two women on the go would be awesome.
Goodnight Sweetheart: ...The 'Ouses in Between (1999)
So that's why Jack the Ripper was never caught
An outstanding episode from the final series of 'Goodnight Sweetheart'
On one of his many visits to the 1940's, Gary gets a taxi back to Ducket's Passage in order for him to get to the present day. Yet the taxi drives him to the wrong end. He goes through another time gate where he ends up in 1888. He obviously looks out of place in the pub he goes to. Yet a singer in this pub is someone who is the spitting image of Yvonne. During the time of Gary's visit to 1888, the Jack the Ripper murders were taking place. Will Gary be able to solve the mystery that has been subject to much speculation over the years...
This is one of the classic episodes of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' For me, it was a sitcom that became more bolder in its story lines as it went along making it a much more interesting and better show, this episode being another highly interesting storyline, wonderfully combining time travel and comedy.
It is fair to say that most Ripperologists don't take much notice of this episode as being an official line of enquiry, the fact Jack the Ripper was never caught because he was a time traveller, yet it is more plausible than some of the bizarre theories which have been the work of literature over the years, such as the one where author Lewis Carroll was a suspect due to Ripper themed anagrams in his books. This episode was a fantastic idea.
Goodnight Sweetheart: Accentuate the Positive (1999)
A Satisfying Conclusion
An excellent send off to the fine sitcom 'Goodnight Sweetheart'
The war is coming towards its end in Europe. Hitler is dead and VE night is a matter of a week away. In modern times, Yvonne is getting suspicious of Gary as she finds a photograph of him and Phoebe in Gary's wallet. He tells her it is his Grandfather. She also sees him with the help of a crane walking through the time gate and disappearing. He tells her she's been working too hard. In 1945, Reg is very excited about meeting Clement Atlee as he's giving a speech at his club, as Atlee helped set it up. Reg had a game of ping pong with Atlee when the club opened and they have a game again. Gary notices an attempt on the future Prime Minister's life during the ping pong and saves Atlee's life. Has Gary done his mission now and will he manage to get back to 1999...
At last we find out what had happened to Gary. The wonderful final series deserved a great send off and it got one (rather like the more recent third series of 'Ashes to Ashes'). I was left very satisfied and thought it was a great idea for Gary to write what had happened on the wall of his West End Flat knowing Ron was re-papering. I'm sure it was for the best Gary to be with Phoebe than Yvonne. Yvonne was a multi millionaire who cared more about her job than her marriage as Ron pointed out to her. Phoebe was much more interdependent on Gary as he was her main source of income and of course, he had a Son to her.
Playing Reg's mate Kenneth was Tony Millan. Fans of the classic seventies sitcom 'Citizen Smith' may remember him as the wonderfully dull Tucker.
Having finished all my studies, I've had a lot of time on my hands, so I have prolifically been watching episodes of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' over the last couple of weeks. This is the second time I've watched it all the way through and it is such a wonderful sitcom, where the later episodes for me were better than the early ones, as it got more adventurous in its story lines. My favourite character is undoubtedly Reg Deadman.
This is a highly satisfying conclusion which deservedly ends a fine show. The only thing I'm not too sure about is was there ever an attempt on the life of Clement Atlee? If not, why did Gary prevent an assassination on someone who never was victim of an assassination attempt. That said though, it was a great send off.
The Fosters: New Year with the Fosters (1977)
The Fosters go barking up the wrong tree
An excellent New Years special of 'The Fosters'
The Fosters are shopping for a New Years party the day before New Years Eve. Samuel has brought three bottles of rum and a box of cigars. To Samuel's disbelief, the family spend £45 on food and sweets for the party. In the supermarket, the family see an elderly neighbour Mrs Draper, a strange woman who is buying nothing but dog food. Back at the flat, Vilma tells Pearl that Mrs Draper has lost all her savings. The Foster's put two and two together and think Mrs Draper is eating the dog food herself. Feeling sorry for her, they invite her for dinner that night. Mrs Draper brings some food with her, a meat loaf. What meat is it made of...
This episode is top class, brilliantly funny. Reason, a fantastic guest appearance from the adorable old lady Irene Handl as Mrs Draper, famous for her role in the Thames sitcom 'For the Love of Ada' She's brilliant from start to finish. In the supermarket, she asks the Foster's if they are celebrating New Year. She explains how a Chinese man lived next door to her once and he celebrated New Year in the middle of March. 'Oh yes, heavy drinking, music and fireworks in the early hours of the morning. I didn't get very far complaining, the poor fellow could only speak a couple of words of English' 'What words were they Mrs Draper?' 'Bugger Off'. She goes on with confused anecdotes like this throughout the episode. When Samuel goes mad in the supermarket because his family have spent £45, she looks in his bag and sees the three bottles of rum and she thinks he's going mad because he's got a drink problem. At the end because she's such a sweet old lady, Samuel asks Mrs Draper if she'll come to the New Years Eve party at the flat the following night. She says she'd love to. Samuel says 'I hope you like Reggae?' to which she replies 'I'll eat anything'
A great special. I've recently watched the first series of 'The Fosters' due to another great Network release, and despite taking a couple of episodes to get into, I really enjoyed it. This episode was the last on the DVD and was the best yet, nicely rounding off the set. Role on Series two I say.
The Fosters: Buy Now, Pay Later (1976)
It has it all. From slavery to 'Don't talk to me like that Eddie Booth'
Another fine episode from the impressive opening series of 'The Fosters'
A blind man named Andrew Henderson turns up at the Foster's front door trying to sell them encyclopedia's on black history. As ever Benjamin is very keen, as our Sonny and Shirley. Pearl isn't so sure. They are in enough debt as it is. Henderson tells them they are £62 for all ten volumes and they put a down payment of £3 and then from there £1 a week. She decides to ask Samuel who returns from work. Samuel is persuaded in going along with it. Henderson says he'll drop the books off that evening. Samuel signs. When Henderson goes, Samuel reads the small print. It seems they have been heavily ripped off with so many clauses in the contract. Could it be that Andrew Henderson is really a confidence trickster... And is he really blind...
Andrew Henderson is played by Rudolph Walker. It is great having the fine Walker in an episode of 'The Fosters' The reason for this is that Rudolph Walker had the first starring role for a black actor in a sitcom, in the highly controversial 'Love thy Neighbour' The year 'Neighbour' ended, 'The Fosters' began and 'The Fosters' was Britains first exclusive black sitcom. Despite 'Neighbour' being dated and heavily criticised today due to its highly casual use of racist language which today quite rightly would be an absolute no no, you have to realise that 'Neighbour' paved the way to 'The Fosters' being made and Rudolph Walker has to be addressed as a highly important figure to black actors in British sitcom, so it is great he appears in such a landmark series as 'The Fosters'. What is highly interesting though is when Sonny tells Samuel what is in the encyclopedia's. He says 'It has all the information on black history. From slavery to (in an impression of Bill Reynolds played by Walker) don't talk to me like that Eddie Booth' This is strange, considering Rudolph Walker is in this scene playing somebody else. I wonder if Jon Watkins knew Rudolph Walker would be in the scene when adapting the script.
This is a fine episode again. Having now watched the majority of the first series, despite a slightly slow start, I'm really getting into this sitcom now. All the characters are really starting to grow on me. I'm a big fan of Norman Beaton's Samuel Foster as he has so many setbacks in his life, yet he keeps going. He is such a likable. Even Lenny Henry's Sonny Foster, his constant use of the word 'Dy-na-mite' annoyed me something rotten when I first started watching this, yet despite it still being annoying, it isn't as bad as it once was.
The Fosters: Situations Vacant (1976)
I didn't get where I am today by appearing in episodes of The Fosters
Another very good episode from the first series of 'The Fosters'
Samuel has applied for a job at a top end West End firm as Sales Manager. He believes his charm towards his would be boss Mrs Dale has made him beat the other fifty hopefuls. It will be a much better job than his current one in a car wash. He goes to hear the decision and takes Pearl along with him to, with the hope of getting her a job in the firm. They both arrive. However, Mrs Dale's boss Mr Hudd makes her give Pearl the job to get the government off their back due to gender equality. Will Pearl take her husbands much wanted job...
This is a very funny episode, with great misfortune for Samuel. As he says 'I must be the only man in the country to lose his job to his wife' It shows what a good man Samuel is as well. He tells Pearl to take the job, despite the humiliation of knowing she has taken his job, she will be the breadwinner in the family and that he will have to return to his poor job as a car wash attendant. It is also nice to get away from the flat a bit in this episode as well, as the vast majority of the show to this point had been filmed in the Fosters flat.
There's a fine guest appearance in this episode as well, John Barron playing Mr Hudd. He is most famous for playing the wonderful CJ in 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'. He'd all ready played him in the opening series when this episode was made. Hence my summary of this review. Also the late Anne Jameson puts in a solid performance as Mrs Dale, being over-impressed by Samuel's corny charm. He says something corny when he arrives in the office, she laughs hysterically and then she says to Pearl 'You know Mrs Foster, it must be sheer heaven living with such an amusing man' Priceless.
The Fosters: God's Business Is Good Business (1976)
Honest Foster gets a proposition from Smiling Steve
A fine episode from the first episode of 'The Fosters'
The Foster household are thrilled to a black man on the telly, it is Reverand Steve 'Smiling' Smith spreading the word. Samuel remembers this fellow as they were friends when they lived in Guyana. Pearl also remembers him as being a terrible man and can't believe he is a man of the cloth. To the Foster's surprise, Smiling Steve turns up on their door step. First he impresses neighbour Vilma, taking her out on a date. He then offers Samuel a job, as he remembered Samuel from Guyana and was so impressed with his honesty, he called him 'Honest Foster'. The Reverand offers Sam £50 a day to work for him. It is a lot of money, yet with the Reverand being such a rogue, it can hardly be through legitimate means. Will Honest Foster go through with it...
This is a very funny episode where after an okay opening two episodes, you really see the show taking shape here. This whole episode was repeated in 1992 as part of ITV's great 'TV Heaven' series to represent 1976, a good choice and it is still a very good episode twenty-four years on in my opinion.
The Foster's fascination at seeing a black man on the television shows the lack of representation black people must have had on television in the 1970's. It is satisfying to know that in some ways, 'The Fosters' was changing this.
The Fosters: Black Jesus (1976)
Good luck hits the Foster household
A fine episode from the first series of 'The Fosters'
Sonny has painted picture of Jesus, making him black. Benjamin is in awe of it and puts it up in the flat, much to Pearl's annoyance. Samuel comes home with a tax refund from the Inland Revenue. Then Samuel wins £60 on a horse, Vilma gets a date, Shirley gets taken to a Barry White concert and Benjamin gets given £5 by a cyclist who accidentally runs him over. Could it be Black Jesus is actually bringing this much luck...
A decent episode this, predictable yes, but funny at the same time. I'm a few episodes into this sitcom now and am starting to enjoy it quite a bit, it is a little dated, but does deliver the laughs. Norman Beaton in particular is great as Samuel. One thing for sure though, I'm sure Lenny Henry watches this show and cringes quite a bit as he painfully overacts many times throughout an episode. I do wish he'd stop saying 'Dy-na-mite' as well, it's bloody annoying. Nearly as annoying as Craig Cash continually saying 'Tremendo' in 'Mrs Merton and Malcolm'
The Fosters: Sex and the Black Community (1976)
Filthy Literature in the Foster household
The opening episode to Britain's first black sitcom 'The Fosters' based on the American sitcom 'Good Times'
In the opening episode, Sonny and Shirley both have dates. Shirley's date is giving parents Samuel and Pearl the most concern as she is sixteen dating a twenty-one year old named Matthew. Shirley assures her parents though, Matthew is an intellectual. Pearl finds a book on the sofa titled 'Sex in the Black Community' This leads her to instantly think it is Sonny's and she is furious he has brought such literature into their flat. Samuel on the other hand thinks it is great his Son is reading this kind of stuff. But then it is revealed it is in fact Shirley's. Will Samuel be as happy now his sixteen year old daughter is reading such material...
I've watched so many sitcoms now to realise don't expect too much in the opening episode of a sitcom. Opening episodes are about introducing characters, not trying to be funny. It is difficult to do both in a twenty-five minute time slot. This opener is not brilliant by any stretch of the imagination. There seems to be a bit too much over-acting taking place and the audience laughter track is also annoying. The former is easily sorted out as you start to get used to the characters as the series goes on. However, the latter can be very annoying at times. Simple jokes being greeted by a round of applause is very annoying. At times I thought I was watching the opening episode of 'The Nineteenth Hole' Yet there are some good lines to be enjoyed, you get to know the characters and there is a decent plot, so it is fairly decent for an opening episode.
There is little surprise to see this episode being broadcast first. As a new sitcom, you don't know how it is going to go, so if you bear in mind this is from the seventies, if you title your opening episode 'Sex in the Black Community' to a 1970's British public, you're going to get viewers. This is a landmark sitcom, the first sitcom to star an exclusive black cast. Norman Beaton is particularly impressive as the put upon father Samuel. I'm viewing this for the first time properly and one episode in, though a lot of improvement is needed, I think it will improve as it has great potential.
Goodnight Sweetheart: The Leaving of Liverpool (1997)
His son could right a better song than that and he's only one. Isn't that right Mr Lennon
One of the very best episodes of 'Goodnight Sweetheart'
With Yvonne away in Korea, Gary is going to war torn Liverpool with Phoebe to see her Gran. With Ron being a Liverpudlian, he is quick to tell Gary that this week during 1942, his Grandad, Albert Wheatcroft, saved a baby in a burning building that was hit during an air raid. Gary and Phoebe go to Liverpool and Phoebe introduces her new fiancé to her Gran, yet doesn't yet tell her about the baby. Then in a pub, Gary meets Albert Wheatcroft, just days before he is to become a hero. Yet he is no 'hero' he steals Gary's wallet and gets arrested for it. Is this messing about with history going to have a dangerous effect for Gary...
This is an excellent episode which has everything going for it. The change of scene to Liverpool was a great idea. It was also great seeing Victor McGuire appearing in the 1940's (McGuire being the same actor who plays Ron, played Ron's Grandad Albert). Was also great at the fact it showed that if Albert Wheatcroft hadn't saved the child, how History would be different- Gary wouldn't be married to Yvonne (though interestingly, Yvonne would have still lived in the same house) and Ron would be a Vicar. It was a good step, showing how history would be changed for one small difference. Added a more science fiction quality to the production.
Great guest cast as well in this episode. Carmal McSharry played Phoebe's Irish Grandma. McSharry played Mrs Hollinbury in 'In Sickness and in Health' Her character brought back nice memories for me personally, both my Grand-mothers were Irish, sadly they are no longer with us, but when you'd go to there house, it'd be tea and cake before you could sit down, so the Irish Grandmother was nicely represented. Playing a pub landlord in Liverpool was the fine Liverpudlian actor Kenneth Cope, famous for his role in 'Randall & Hopkirk Desc' He played Jed Stone in 'Coronation Street' during the 1960's, a character which the 'Coronation Street' writing team decided to bring back after all them years two years ago. A great idea in my opinion, it was good to see him with Ken Barlow and Emily Bishop after all them years.
Kenneth Cope's landlord also has the best line in the episode. When Gary is asked to play a song about Liverpool on the pub piano, he plays the classic Beatles hit 'Penny Lane' The landlord is clearly unimpressed and says 'That man there, his Son could right a better song than that and he's only one. Isn't that right Mr Lennon' Classic.
Two in Clover (1969)
Sid James fancies a bit of The Good Life
In 1966, the writing team of Vince Powell and Harry Driver penned a successful sitcom for Sid James called 'George and the Dragon' for ATV. It achieved fine viewing figures and lasted for four series. Sid James then contacted the writers telling them ATV have ordered a fifth and sixth series of 'George and the Dragon' Powell & Driver though informed James they would have to decline as they'd just signed an exclusive contract with Thames Television. Sid James then told the writing duo he's moving to Thames. Imagine the compliment that must have been for the two writers.
So Powell & Driver had to come up with an idea for Sid James. This was proving incredibly difficult for them. Day after day they just couldn't think of anything. One lunchtime they went to the local pub for lunch, when there was a party going on. It was in aid of a car mechanic the duo knew called Ted. Ted was fed up of coming home from work every night in oil and dirt, so he'd brought a small holding farm in the country. He knew nothing about farming, it would be a new experience. Powell got some beer mats from behind the bar and they both started writing what it'd be like having Sid James in Ted's situation. 'Two in Clover' was born.
In 'Two in Clover' Sid Turner (Sidney James) and Vic Evans (Victor Spinetti) are fed up of their nine to five job, so they buy a holding farm in Finchley. They call it Clover Farm. They know nothing about farming and find the country locals unwelcoming to the townies, especially from the local Policeman Cecil Armitage (Bill Pertwee) and the local pub landlord who is called Dan in the first series and Tom in the second (Victor Platt, a bit of a balls up here). Farming adventures occur, such as the stress of Fanny the Cow being made pregnant, financial problems occur and as Sid James is in it, problems occur when Sid has had one too many beers and again because Sid's in it, there is some fun with the birds as well (not just the feathered variety). Sid James and Victor Spinetti both put in great performances with great comic rapport.
The scripts were very good and funny, great performances by James, yet there were also some fine guest appearances throughout the series. There was a bit of a 'Dad's Army' theme occurring throughout the first series as Bill Pertwee who played Hodges in 'Dad's Army' had a semi-regular role as the local policeman. His 'Dad's Army' colleagues John Le Mesurier and James Beck turned up in the first series. As did JG Devlin and appearing in two episodes as their grumpy farmer neighbour who is particularly unwelcoming to Sid and Vic was Gerald Flood as Gerald Bromley-Jones. The Second Series brought equally fine guest appearances with Jack Woolger, Tim Barrett, Garfield Morgan, John Savident (a pre Fred Elliot appearance) and in the final episode there was two significant guest appearances. Freddie Trueman played himself in the ending episode and also appearing in his first TV role was John Inman, who later went on to play Mr Humphries in 'Are you Being Served' In one episode, Victor Spinetti was unable to appear, so he was replaced by fellow Welshman and 'Please Sir' star Richard Davies, who played Victor's brother David Evans.
The first series was shot in monochrome and the second was shot in colour. Their was problems with both series though. The first was shot mainly in a studio, which led to chickens attacking members of the audience and other animals doing their business on the studio floor. The second series as a result then was mainly shot on location, which was too expensive for Thames Television and as a result was dropped. A shame as perhaps another series would have made the sitcom more memorable to this day. In my view it is a forgotten gem. But James, Powell & Driver would carry on working together in the sitcom 'Bless this House' which started a year later. 'House' is much better remembered, but in my view 'Clover' was superior in every respect.
Six years after 'Clover' began, the much more remembered self sufficiency sitcom 'The Good Life' came to our screens. 'The Good Life' is a classic sitcom in my opinion, yet I preferred 'Clover' I wonder how much inspiration John Esmonde and Bob Lareby got from 'Two in Clover'? 'Life' lasted for four series, double which 'Clover' did.
'Two in Clover' is for me one of the forgotten gems of British sitcom and such a shame it didn't extend beyond two series. A DVD was released of the complete series but sadly has now been deleted. But I recommend that if you can get a copy of it, do, you won't be disappointed.
Goodnight Sweetheart: You're Driving Me Crazy (1997)
Gary struggles coping with a double pregnancy
The opening episode to the fourth series of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' which brought the beginning to two key cast changes (see below).
As series 3 concluded, Gary discovered Phoebe is pregnant in 1942 and Yvonne is pregnant in 1996. Gary is feeling the strain at the beginning of the fourth series so much, he has started smoking. Yvonne is driving him mad as she desperately wants him to leave his shop and be and get a good position at the Korean firm she works for. Yvonne has also stated she will leave her job to concentrate on the pregnancy. This will also lead to money problems as Ron states, Gary will be the main source of income for four people once the babies are born. In 1943, Phoebe won't have sex with Gary because she thinks it will damage the baby. To get Yvonne off his back and to prove the shop can make a lot of money, Gary decides to buy some expensive Swiss watches from 1943 and sell them in the present day, which sees disastrous events unfold...
This is the first episode which saw major cast changes to the show. Michelle Holmes and Dervla Kerwin both left the series, so a new Phoebe and Yvonne were needed. The roles went to Emma Amos and Elizabeth Carling. The writers thought they could just about get away with the cast changes, yet many in the cast and crew must have felt that it was the end of the show come these departures. Amos and Carling though good, were never as good as the originals. Michelle Holmes in particular was wonderfully sarcastic to Gary in the first three series. Though Elizabeth Carling continued to put him down, she was never quite the same somehow. That said though, the story lines and the scripts got better as the series went on, so the cast changes hardly had any influence on the show.
Nick Stringer played the Scotland Yard detective Tommy Kingdom in this episode and it is a great scene when Reg uncovers him as he is doing undercover work in the pub, revealing his identity to the watch thief. 'Only Fools and Horses' fans may remember Nick during two appearances in the show, firstly as the Aussie man who Del and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst who stars in this show) sell him a dodgy car in the episode 'Go West Young Man' and then later he played Jumbo Mills in the episode 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'
'You're Driving Me Crazy' is low on laughs, yet this is understandable as what is happening you feel is that the idea of the episode was to show the situation Gary was in and to secretly introduce the two new actors taking over playing Yvonne and Phoebe.
One Foot in the Grave (1990)
What in the name of Bloody Hell
1990 was a great year for Britain. Margaret Thatcher finally left 10 Downing Street, that was great, but perhaps even greater was the debut for Victor Meldrew in 'One Foot in the Grave' a sitcom which in my view will rank as one of Britains very best.
In the opening episode, Victor Meldrew (Richard Wilson) is made redundant from his job having reached sixty. He lives at home with his wife (Annette Crosbie) and he has way too much spare time on his hands to moan about things (though mostly he is right to). He is also unbelievably unlucky with life.
Having wrote this sitcom David Renwick had no doubt who he wanted to play Victor Meldrew, Richard Wilson. This was hardly surprising, considering the wonderful job Wilson did during the second series of Renwick's 'Hot Metal' In it, he played Dicky Lipton, a man with a lot to complain about, yet hardly surprising considering the work-force he had. So as Victor was a man who had a lot to complain about and Richard Wilson was a master of complaining, with a hilarious high pitched voice when he is in shock, Renwick practically wrote the scripts for Richard Wilson. However at first, Wilson wasn't so keen seeing the character as a bit too old for him. He declined. So someone else was needed. Les Dawson nearly got the role, but eventually Wilson decided to accept. You couldn't imagine anyone else in the role. I'm sure Dawson would have done a funny job, but it wouldn't have had that great realism to it had he played Meldrew. Richard Wilson was simply superb in the role, a performance which is up there with some of the best in British television.
Playing Victor's wife Margaret was Annette Crosbie. She to was wonderful in her performance, showing great patience at times, yet also not above the odd cracking up moment. Hilda Braid was one of the many actresses considered for the role originally. I loved Hilda Braid as a comic actress, she was wonderful as Florence in 'Citizen Smith' yet rather like Les Dawson as Victor, she would have struggled to get across the great realism as Margaret and would probably have been too nice to have been hard-line like Margaret had to be sometimes.
There was also other great characters in 'One Foot in the Grave' Doreen Mantle was perfect as Margaret's friend Jean Warboys. For example, in one episode, she has to go to the dry cleaners to pick up Victor's suit. She comes back with a gorillas costume. She genuinely thinks Victor has a gorilla costume and doesn't consider the thought that they may have given her the wrong suit. The way she doesn't seem this odd is comic acting at its very best. Also great in the cast were the neighbours Owen Bremman as Nick Swainey appeared in the opening episode 'Alive and Buried' as a man working for age concern. He put in a fantastic performance, so when the Meldrew's moved into their new house in series 2, David Renwick had the great idea to make him Victor's next door neighbour. He was a great character, again with many odd traits about him, such as him hosting a 'Dixon of Dock Green' evening at his house in one episode. In the penultimate episode 'The Dawn of Man' he is given a wonderful dramatic moment with Margaret where he reflects on his rather sad life. It was such a nice moment, here's a man people had laughed at due to being so odd on so many occasions, yet it was shown he had a personal sensitive side as well. On the other side of Victor's fence was Patrick and Pippa (Angus Deayton and Janine Duvitski). Both played their parts extremely well with Victor and Patrick constantly at war with each other. As is the case in UK sitcoms, when you get two couples living next door to each other, the husbands dislike each other whereas the wives get along like a house on fire.
Yet having a great cast is one thing, but the writing in 'One Foot in the Grave' was also top rate. David Renwick's scripts had a bit of everything in them, thus showing why it appeals to so many people. It was firstly incredibly funny. Excellently structured story lines were the norm, with great misunderstandings occurring. Examples of which being Victors pubic hair being shaved off by a madman. Renwick also broke sitcom norms, with whole episodes taking place in the same location such as a traffic jam. In fact in one episode, it only consisted of Victor in the house on his own moaning. Yet the greatest thing about Renwick's writing was the pathos. There were so many dramatic moments, such as in one episode a blind man was murdered in his own house. And of course in the final instalment, Victor himself was killed due to a hit and run driver. At first it looked like David Renwick had wrote a suburban sitcom, with the sofa etc. However once you watch a few episodes you realise it isn't like this, it shows the dark side of life and does so greatly. One of the best episodes for this was 'Hearts of Darkness' which starts off with a very funny day in the countryside by Victor and co. but ends with Victor discovering disgusting abuse given to old people in an old folks home.
'One Foot in the Grave' will hopefully live on for many years due to repeats and the complete series being released on DVD. Victor Meldrew is one of the greatest sitcom characters and for me he is right up there with Captain Mainwaring, Norman Stanley Fletcher and Basil Fawlty. Such a wonderful show and in my opinion, the only sitcom that can rival it is 'Dad's Army'
Goodnight Sweetheart: There's Something About a Soldier (1996)
Donald's Return
A very good episode of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' from the fine third series.
Phoebe's husband Donald (Ralph Ineson) has escaped from his Prisoner of War Camp and is back at the Royal Oak. What with this and the fact in the present day, Yvonne wants Gary to sell his shop and get a 'proper' job in the Korean company she works for. It looks like the time travelling experience is over for Gary. He goes back to 1942 to say goodbye to Phoebe. But will events unfold that will see Gary rather than Donald being Phoebe's lover...
This is a very emotional episode with the comedy taking a back seat to the drama. Yet it is all very necessary and very well written and performed.
Donald is played by Ralph Ineson who today is famous for playing mans man Chris Finch in 'The Office' Donald is a very different character to Finchey, he is very sensitive. He is a good man, yet he and Phoebe weren't meant to be husband and wife, they were almost forced into the marriage by their respective families. There's a beautiful scene near the end where Gary and Donald discuss the situation together, great rapport by Ineson and Nicholas Lyndhurst here.
It was inevitable this episode was going to be made eventually and with Donald now out of the way and by not attending the interview for the job in Yvonne's Korean firm, Gary's relationship and opportunity with Phoebe was back on track again.
Be Big! (1931)
How long can a boot gag go on for?
One of the weaker Laurel and Hardy shorts from 1931.
Stan, Ollie and their wives (Anita Garvin and Isabelle Keith) are off on a vacation. They are almost ready to go when Ollie gets a phone call from his friend Cookie (Baldwin Cook) saying the lads down his club are giving a party in Stan and Ollie's honour. He reluctantly agrees to go along. He feigns illness, tells his wife he'll be fine in a day, Stan will look after him, then they will meet them on vacation. They somehow agree to this. Stan and Ollie get their outfits ready for the party, but due to a mix up of boots, Ollie can't get Stan's boot off. And will the wives get to their train on time...
This is a great situation which worked so well in the previous short 'Blotto', lie to the wives to go out with the lads. 'Be Big' is in someways a forerunner to 'Sons of the Desert' which is probably Laurel & Hardy's greatest ever film together. Here was a similar situation, lie to the wives and using illness as an excuse. Also, the club Stan and Ollie are in during 'Be Big' is similar to that of 'The Sons of the Desert' and the Sons of the Desert theme tune also plays during whilst they are getting their costumes on.
Yet the problem with 'Be Big' is that the gag of Stan trying to get the boot off Ollie lasts way too long. It takes up about half of the film and it's a three wheeler. This would have been a much better film had it had been a two wheeler. How many laughs can you possibly get from Stan trying to take a boot off Ollie? Apparently in some foreign language editions of this film, the boot gag goes on longer. That must have been borderline torture to watch.
'Be Big' had a great situation, but the over-use of material spoilt the effort. There was no need for it to be a three wheeler. It is little wonder when watching this film Stan Laurel was reluctant to make a 'Laurel & Hardy' feature film. 'Be Big' is a case of the Stan & Ollie resting on their laurels (ba dumb tish).
Get Him to the Greek (2010)
The Fury Wall
A very funny film starring Russell Brand and Jonah Hill.
Aldous Snow (Brand) was a sober and highly popular rock star. He became concerned by poverty to African children, so went to Africa to try and help the problems with starving children there. He released a single titled 'African Child' and according to critics, it was the worst thing to happen to Africa since the apartheid. So he loses his great reputation, his girlfriend Jackie (Rose Byrne) leaves him so he starts to use drugs and alcohol to the excess. He goes off the radar. However though, head of Pinnacle records Sergio Roma (P Diddy) needs new ideas as his company is in dire straits. One of his employees Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) suggests that his one time hero Aldous Snow should play at the Greek theatre in LA to commemorate a highly famous performance there ten years previously. This could earn a load of money due to the release of a CD, DVD etc. and great commercial interest from sponsors. Sergio agrees to this and Aldous agrees. Aaron is given the task of going to London and taking Aldous to LA and making sure he is ready to perform at the Greek Theatre on the given day. Aaron is also told to agree and do everything Aldous says. Yet with Aldious living this excessive Sex, Drugs, Alcohol and Rock & Roll lifestyle, will Aaron really do everything Aldous tells him and will he get him to the Greek on time...
This is a good film, with some great comic performances. Russell Brand was great as Aldous really living the excessive rock stars lifestyle to the hill and P Diddy was great as Sergio, how I laughed when he has everyone in his household singing 'Daddy's favourite TV show' (even his wife) when his TV show comes on. Yet the greatest performance in it came from Jonas Hill as Aaron. He was the one you had to identify with. He was the man whose own welfare didn't matter and he had to put himself last all the time, being exploited to the limit by Aldous and Pedro. How much exploitation could he handle. Being forced to drink excessively (absinthe) and take drugs (Jeff) was one thing. Being made to smuggle Aldous's drugs out of an airport (heroin) and being raped by a woman in a nightclub at Sergio's request was another thing and what's more being made to have a threesome with his girlfriend Daphne(Elisabeth Moss) and Aldous was a different thing all together. He was excellently exploited.
'Get him to the Greek' is not one of the 'classics'. I have seen better films and I will see better films, yet it succeeds in being very funny and when I say very funny, I mean belly laughs. If you want to be entertained and you want to find yourself laughing, then I strongly recommend this picture.
Perfect Day (1929)
Goodbye. Goodbye
An excellent short featuring Laurel and Hardy during their first year of doing 'talkies'
Stan, Ollie, their wives (Kays Deslys and Isabella Keith) and their Uncle Edgar (Edgar Kennedy) are off for a family picnic. Uncle Edgar has terrible gout in his foot which isn't what you want with Stan and Ollie around. In the house Stan and Ollie drop all the sandwiches on the floor. Yet they all get in the car and get ready to set off. But then there is a puncture, followed by a fracas with a neighbour. Will they ever get away...
This is a great film I think, with so many good routines. Uncle Edgar's gout created the best comedy in it for me. In the house, Stan just takes the chair Edgar is resting his leg on, which causes the dog to put his teeth into Edgar's very painful foot. Then there are several more incidents in the car, the funniest being when the car runs over Edgar's foot. Also great is the way they keep saying goodbye to the neighbours when they are ready to leave, yet something keeps cropping up, so they are repeatedly saying goodbye to their neighbours.
Based on an idea by Stan Laurel inspired by some of Laurel's neighbours who attempted to also go on a picnic, but failed to get away, the end sequence to 'Perfect Day' where they drive into a ditch was actually done full on in filming, with the cast having to be under water for a few seconds. A great short.