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PhilGlass
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« on: 30 October, 2010, 11:25:36 PM » |
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A long running sitcom, on the BBC, from 1990 to 1999 written by Andre wMarshall (exceot series 8, various writers)
It was the life and times of Bill Porter and her husband (yes Bill was a woman) Ben. and her two children David and Jenny.
The first two series was pretty dark, with obscure continuity. After this, it became more "episodic" and relied on the comedy. It only ended on a millenium special on 31st December 1999 because Gary Olsen was diagnosed with Cancer. The BBC were happy for it to continue.
Do you remember this show and what are your memories of it?
To me it is one of the most under-rated british sitcoms. It's chjristmas specials shadowed the "Only Folls and Horses" christmas specials in viewing ratings, but disappointing (bad quality) DVD sales have prevented more than series 3 being released (though I have every episode)....
Let's discuss this forgotten gem...
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rogue
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« Reply #1 on: 31 October, 2010, 05:49:04 AM » |
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I remember enjoying the first few series but, from memory, didn't it go downhill quite quickly?
Also didn't they do a Roseanne and change the daughter?
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karl
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« Reply #2 on: 31 October, 2010, 11:22:47 AM » |
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I remember this one Phil,watched it regularly first time around,wouldn't call it a classic but i did enjoy it....i didn't realise Gary Olsen is no longer with us!  |
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Stop messin' about.... Ginger snaps or Custard creams? "I'll stay on me own"......
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PhilGlass
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« Reply #3 on: 31 October, 2010, 12:19:40 PM » |
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Whether or not it went 'downhill' is a matter of eprsonal opinion, to me it didn't, but it did change - it lost the darkness and the obscurity the first two series had. yes, they changed Claire Woodgate to Claire buckfield when Woodgate thought she was better than the rest of them and quit, only to find herself out of work for a long time afterwards!
It ran for 8 series and actually made more episodes than Steptoe. However, it did become very formulaic, but there are many rumours as to why this happened - Andrew Marshall had previously written with David Renwick and Renwick's influence is definitely in the first two series, the darkness, and many say he co-scripted these episodes. Whether he did or not I do not know. Series 8 also had various credited writers, but to me it never produced a bad episode.
Gary Olsen died in 2000 after losing a batle with cancer. Thier last episode was "The Millenium Experience", a one off special. After that he moved to Australia to convelece and never returned.
Only series 1-3 are on DVD, though i have every episode and watch it regularly.
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