tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post3073992138025373185..comments2024-03-26T13:44:31.435+00:00Comments on Curious British Telly: 50 British TV Comedies From the 1980s You Forgot AboutBen Rickettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01749284122022718064noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-89022039187614258582023-11-08T06:18:50.829+00:002023-11-08T06:18:50.829+00:00I recall a sitcom from between 1987 and 1989, I th...I recall a sitcom from between 1987 and 1989, I think about two mechanics in a Northern garage, either Liverpool or Manchester, with one as the main character but both mundane everyday Joe types. First episode a young blond woman shows up to hide out there and gets involved with the main mechanic, she was the daughter of a seedy local politician (or maybe just rich businessman) and the opposite of him in every way. The rich politician/businessman becomes the villain of the show and tries to buy the garage or build a motorway on their site or something. He had a gormless dogsbody assistant like a henchman. episodes deal with the rich guy's dodgy schemes and the mechanics and his daughter set out to stop them. One episode the rich guy falls in love with a woman, there are romantic sequences of him tossing roses to her in a park. his assistant is dressed like cupid and follows behind, shoots rubber-tipped arrows at his back so he slowly turns around and just looks at the guy like an idiot, to which the cupid guy reacts cheerfully. it reminded me of Only Fools and Horses a bit. Anyone remember this?random cenobitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-17138856855248954462023-08-11T14:26:49.995+01:002023-08-11T14:26:49.995+01:00Robin's Nest. Me & My Gal - Richard O'...Robin's Nest. Me & My Gal - Richard O'SullivanSome Onenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-70094069706615996292023-08-11T14:26:17.303+01:002023-08-11T14:26:17.303+01:00Don't Wait Up - Dr Toby Latimer (Tony Britton)...Don't Wait Up - Dr Toby Latimer (Tony Britton) and his son, Tom (Nigel Havers)Some Onenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-76041356643581810872023-04-23T10:02:38.950+01:002023-04-23T10:02:38.950+01:00Over The Rainbow maybe?Over The Rainbow maybe?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-76699643996160173992023-03-08T01:04:24.407+00:002023-03-08T01:04:24.407+00:00Thanks so much for this, was desperately trying to...Thanks so much for this, was desperately trying to remember the name of Prospects and a Google search brought me here. I could remember the two lads and was sure one of them was called Bill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-90991857669920553062022-06-05T11:10:49.427+01:002022-06-05T11:10:49.427+01:00Have you found out any more..? I can`t find out an...Have you found out any more..? I can`t find out anything about this programme. Can`t even remember which channel it was on.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-67154267789377716402022-04-06T21:53:17.475+01:002022-04-06T21:53:17.475+01:00Dead Ernest with Andrew SachsDead Ernest with Andrew Sachscoughin'davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06688824684265007770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-60806594368946533422021-12-13T18:57:53.709+00:002021-12-13T18:57:53.709+00:00Been trying to remember a series with 2 young Iris...Been trying to remember a series with 2 young Irish girls, think one was called Roisin. It was very funny. Loved watching it every week. Can't find it anywhere!!Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05691629526900447696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-45225601955709414282021-11-10T19:34:01.726+00:002021-11-10T19:34:01.726+00:00I have spent years trying to remember the name of ...I have spent years trying to remember the name of the series Dream Stuffing. Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-51818307063515673532021-06-10T17:53:20.819+01:002021-06-10T17:53:20.819+01:00'The Further Adventures Of Lucky Jim' star...'The Further Adventures Of Lucky Jim' starring Enn Reitel was a decent show from the pens of Clement and La Frenais. 'Bootle Saddles' poked fun at British Wild West enthusiasts and featured Gordon Rollings in his last sitcom role.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-90481227423326041012021-05-30T11:48:56.874+01:002021-05-30T11:48:56.874+01:00'Colin's Sandwich' still the daddy of ...'Colin's Sandwich' still the daddy of forgotten sitcoms. I've mentioned this before but it still baffles me it didn't get a single mention in the BBC's Mel Smith tribute. Geoffrey Palmer's recent death also prompted me to finally check out the Reggie Perrin (sort-of) spin-off 'Fairly Secret Army'.<br /><br />Rik Mayall's first mentions in the BBC Genome are for alternative-comedy revue 'Boom Boom Out Go the Lights' and benefit concert Fundamental Frolics. Then the Kevin Turvey special which came shortly ahead of 'The Young Ones' starting. And about the only reason anyone mentions Ben Elton's 'Happy Families' these days is its role in the story of Red Dwarf's difficult birth.<br /><br />Also, nobody ever seems to recall Ronnie Corbett's initial attempts to keep a 'Two Ronnies'-style show going after Barker retired. First solo and then the Boxing Day special with Brucie.kisbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16809685647885503821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-60070574168365577852021-05-27T22:59:36.138+01:002021-05-27T22:59:36.138+01:00I'm not sure how much these comedies show on p...I'm not sure how much these comedies show on people's radars but there were two shows starring the brilliant Tony Haygarth, Rosie where he plays a police Sargent and the very odd Kinvig, a story of a bloke who meets a beautiful alien who appears as a mannequin to everyone else. There was also the slightly surreal Chance in a Million starring Simon Callow as the titular Tom Chance and Brenda Blethyn as his long suffering girlfriend. I think Chance in a Million is currently on forces TV, Channel 96 on freeview which by the way is great for vintage UK comedy shows. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-3209752309583118412021-05-27T00:59:21.200+01:002021-05-27T00:59:21.200+01:00...although an audio recording of the first episod......although an audio recording of the first episode is also available on YT.Jonathannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-23262536162277032482021-05-26T19:20:04.150+01:002021-05-26T19:20:04.150+01:00"Hells Bells" a sitcom which featured De..."Hells Bells" a sitcom which featured Derek Nimmo in yet another one of his clerical guises, after "Oh Brother!", "Oh Father!" and "All Gas and Gaiters" in the 1970's. This was the last and least known of Nimmo's performances as a man of the cloth, supported this time by classical actor Robert Stephens, which came and went in the summer of 1986 with very few people noticing. The only footage available online is a BBC1 trailer for the series about a minute long that has turned up on YouTube, but sadly nothing more.Jonathannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-45710628782448559232021-05-24T03:51:10.939+01:002021-05-24T03:51:10.939+01:00Young,Gifted and Broke. Written by Marks and Gran ...Young,Gifted and Broke. Written by Marks and Gran for Central,1989.<br /><br />Simon O'Brien (post Brookside) and a few other YTS trainees work for James Hazeldine's company. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-25516806100939545562021-05-21T21:37:26.981+01:002021-05-21T21:37:26.981+01:00Great article! One I remember is A Kind of Loving ...Great article! One I remember is A Kind of Loving with Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour on ITV. I seem to remember watching it at my nan's house so it was probably on Friday nights!Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487871568595335230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-32631143262735117832021-05-16T03:22:32.920+01:002021-05-16T03:22:32.920+01:00A couple from BBC2 circa 1989/90
Tygo Road: Kevin...A couple from BBC2 circa 1989/90<br /><br />Tygo Road: Kevin McNally runs a community centre with 'Basil Fawlty' style ranting.<br /><br />Mornin Sarge: Police comedy written by and starring Rebecca Stevens,Tony Haase and Pete McCarthy along with Robin Driscoll and Paul Brooke as Sarge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-25147469017161880722021-05-11T21:59:21.385+01:002021-05-11T21:59:21.385+01:00Was that Troubles and Strife? It starred Stephen P...Was that Troubles and Strife? It starred Stephen Pacey as a young vicar who made all the choristers react like bitches on heat every time he was in their presence.Crazee Cat Laydeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946885957103108099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-89689988484145901942021-05-11T21:15:24.266+01:002021-05-11T21:15:24.266+01:00It Takes Worried Man is a gem. Other than that Str...It Takes Worried Man is a gem. Other than that Struggle and Prospects are the only ones I would be tempted to revisit. Sterling work putting this list together mind.Timbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09610292400283227681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-82766870423581669622021-05-11T21:09:48.996+01:002021-05-11T21:09:48.996+01:00Seconded.Seconded.Timbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09610292400283227681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-25276341020636388982021-05-09T10:26:34.776+01:002021-05-09T10:26:34.776+01:00I've heard mention of this before, but can'...I've heard mention of this before, but can't remember the name now! One to look into!Ben Rickettshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01749284122022718064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-34093402832766064632021-05-09T09:34:07.761+01:002021-05-09T09:34:07.761+01:00What was that Welsh sitcom set in a local news tv ...What was that Welsh sitcom set in a local news tv studio? (Probably from S4C) Alas, my main memory of it is when a nuclear rocket was fired, and the accompanying film was an Apollo moonrocket taking off. In some shows that would be a meta-joke, but this was just a mistake. Otherwise the stories were the usual silly men being rescued by clever women at the last minute.Peter Stanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16390996452923388766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-38002581326064406082021-05-08T20:04:56.207+01:002021-05-08T20:04:56.207+01:00wtf - I literally don't know a single one of t...wtf - I literally don't know a single one of them! Literally. I was in my 20s, watched lots of telly. Great post!Andy Rubiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508164223550516309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-30740510391388183582021-05-08T19:43:18.727+01:002021-05-08T19:43:18.727+01:00The odd thing about The Brothers McGregor was it w...The odd thing about The Brothers McGregor was it was technically a spinoff from Coronation Street, as the characters had appeared in one episode and the writers had come from the soap.<br /><br />Another sitcom to throw in is Ffizz, which got two series on ITV in 1987-89, starring Richard Griffiths and Benjamin Whitrow (Mr Bennet in the BBC Pride And Prejudice) as owners of a winery, with Felicity Montagu as its secretary.Simonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4901944301852919470.post-62358747711238884882021-05-08T10:18:28.462+01:002021-05-08T10:18:28.462+01:00I remember an ITV sitcom set around a Christian yo...I remember an ITV sitcom set around a Christian young wives choir… Anna Karen was in itEdd Hassetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02801197984205939440noreply@blogger.com