"As Time Goes By" and other British Comedies

[NikkiGreen]

Speaking of Jean Pargeter, any other fans of this fabulous series and Lionel & Jean?

I just purchased the whole series on DVD last month.

I'm either a huge fan or just plain nuts! ;D

[Edited to add "and other British Comedies" to the thread title]

[Sirenna]

Is that the one where they are in a home and they have supercillious home director and a downtrodden nurse who has a big crush on the home director guy?

I love that show! I plan to be the crusty old lady when I grow up.

[NikkiGreen]

I think that's Tom and Diana from "Waiting for God".

ATGB is with Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

[filmnoir5]

nikkigreen said:

I think that's Tom and Diana from "Waiting for God".

ATGB is with Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

Both were wonderful comedies. The early to mid nineties were great for comedies in the UK. I also liked One Foot In The Grave and Keeping Up Appearances. I have a mixed collection of As Time Goes By since I started collecting episodes with the VHS releases and then continued with the DVDs for seasons 4 and the rest of the series and the specials. The first season of Waiting For God is available on DVD and I would like to have most of those as well.

[NikkiGreen]

I was thinking about this on my drive (I get quite a few answers when I'm driving).

Sirenna, her crustiness was Diana. The elder gentleman is Tom (the one with the hat). The director and nurse were Harvey and Jane, if I'm remembering correctly.

Another one I really liked was "Butterflies". Whenever I see a mini car, I remember the constant zipping in and out of the driveway. And I loved "May to December"; the first May more than the second one.

ETA: Gee...then there was also To the Manor Born; Yes, Prime Minister (which I have on DVD); Good Neighbours... All of the things to be weary of as far as politicians are concerned I learned from Sir Humphrey.

[Sirenna]

I loved Butterflies especially the theme song. I saw that one when I was in my teens and I never clued in it was a comedy even though it was funny. A love triangle is a serious thing when you're a teenager! Last of the Summer Wine was another one I liked. Crusty old men.

I have two novels of Yes, Prime Minister. I see As Time goes by on PBS but I have to admit it's not something I watch regularly. I'll give it another go after reading your posts.

So what was it particularlyabout this show (ATGB) that had you overspending on the DVDs?

[NikkiGreen]

My favourite episode of Yes, Prime Minister has got to The Key. Still can get ROFL from me. It was good to see Sir Humphrey get his come-uppance from Bernard, the 'lovely lady' and PM Jim. ;D

What made me 'overspend' on ATGB? I had toyed with idea of getting the individual series sets for the last few years, but couldn't really see spending $30-$35 on a set when it has like 6 to 8 whole episodes. But, I waited to see how long before all seasons were released. I'm glad I waited because the series came on the one set I've linked to.

It's hard to really pinpoint why I like this show so and I'll have to really think about that.

I love the subtle humour, the 'dynamics' of the Lionel & Jean love affair, the incomparable acting, the chemistry of the whole cast from Mrs. Veil's weather charts, the coolness that was Rocky, Alastair and this endless supply of contacts and always being in 'warp drive', Lionel's gallantry (and he'd the first to deny it!)... Let's face it, couldn't we all use an Alastair in our lives, one who can get the most difficult of tasks accomplished with a "hey, no probs".

From Series 9, after Harry's finally got the nerve and asked Sandy to marry him, but he's leaving in what seems like minutes for his posting in Canada:

Harry: "I've just thought. I've only got one ticket!"
Jean: "Lionel, what do we do?"
Lionel: "Well, there's always standby."
Alistair (already on his cel phone): "Hello? Gary Pearson please. Yes, I'm sure he is, just say the word Xanadu to him."
Alistair: "Gary, hi. Alistair Deacon here. Listen, I'm in warp drive. Your 6 o'clock flight to Calgary, fully booked? Do I have to say Xanadu again? Yeah, two. First class of course. One's an upgrade and the other? She's always been first class. OK, at the desk, great. So long, cowboy."
(hanging up)Alistair: "No probs. I mean it. No probs."

I've used Alastair's favourite line 'no probs' on quite a few occasions.

ETA: Overspend? Nah. Considering the way it brings a sense of calm, it's been money well spent.

[Patcat]

I liked BUTTERFLIES, but I must confess I found the husband (played by the wonderful Geoffrey Palmer) and the youngest son to be far more interesting that the wife/mother who was supposed to be the central character.

YES MINISTER and YES PRIME MINISTER are wonderful. Although I would point out that Sir Humphrey (brilliantly played by Nigel Hawthorne) was a bureaucrat and not an elected official.

And AS TIME GOES BY is a wonderful show. It occasionally stretches belief, but Palmer is wonderful and if Judi Dench has ever done anything less than great I've not and don't want to see it.

And there's FAWLTY TOWERS...

Patcat

[Sirenna]

You can listen to a lot of British comedies on
BBC Radio 7 over the internet. They have the "The Whiskey Priest", an episode of Yes Minister. It's a great selection of stuff; books, plays, tv episodes all done in old style radio city hall form with a live audience.

Change /thursday to another day of the week to see more listing or use their A-Z listings link at the top of the page

[filmnoir5]

I have not had the pleasure to see Prime Minister. If I find it on sale at Amazon, I might get the DVD. Does this show hold up well today? I liked the other actor on Good Neighbors when he played Penelope Keith's husband.

Is Butterflies as good in the second season as the first? I have the first season on DVD. I like Geoffrey Palmer-- he is in everything!!!!!He even appeared in an episode of Fawlty Towers.

Thank you for the link now I can hear what it is like. I wish they would have some of these on one of the streaming video sites.

[Sirenna]

welcome

Yes Prime Minister is terrific. Very witty. I think it does hold up in today's climate. Its humour pokes a lot of fun at bureaucracy. The episode I'm listening to right now is "The Whiskey Priest" about news that a foreign country with ties with Britain maybe making nuclear weapons and how can the government continue economic ties while still doing the right thing. (sounds familiar).

[maherjunkie]

I've enjoyed "Keeping Up Appearances" but I can see how you would love Hyacinth or she would really get on your nerves. You could argue the surrounding characters are funnier.

[filmnoir5]

maherjunkie said:

I've enjoyed "Keeping Up Appearances" but I can see how you would love Hyacinth or she would really get on your nerves. You could argue the surrounding characters are funnier.

The best episode is the hour episode called "Sea Fever" where Hyacinth goes on the QE2 and runs into Onslow and Daisy who won the cruise as part of a contest. Hyacinth dances with Onslow at the end. Funny stuff all around.

[NikkiGreen]

I much preferred Daisy and Onslow.

Mrs. BUCKET ( ). Her husband is one patient man.

[NikkiGreen]

Rest in Peace, Mr. Humphries