This certainly was one of the best sitcoms but somehow remains underrated and largely forgotten.
Unlike some of the more outrageous characters in other sitcoms written by the same hands (most of the characters in the wonderful Are You Being Served? for example) this had more realism going for it.
Based on such shows as Upstairs Downstairs this series deals with 'them upstairs' and 'those down below'. With a cast of actors culled mainly from previous sitcom hits (notably Hi De Hi and You Ain't Half Hot Mum) laughs were assured.
After all, in which other sitcom do you get:
Lord Meldrum (having an affair with Lady Agatha) Teddy Meldrum (having many affairs with housemaids - and getting 5 of them pregnant) Poppy Meldrum (wanting to have an affair with James, the footman) and Cissy Meldrum (having a lesbian affair with Penelope)
While Poppy's character gets less and less likable as the series goes on, the other three family members become more endearing, and the distress of Lord Meldrum when Lady Agatha dumps him in the last episode is quite upsetting. Comedy is woven round it of course.
And downstairs there are gentle touches amongst the comedy too - such as when Alf invites the charlady, Mabel, to the staff ball.
And much of the comedy is held together by the innocence of the maid, Ivy (played superbly by Su Pollard) and her attempts to stop the butler Alf Stokes (her father, played by Paul Shane) getting his hands on money, and trying to get some attention from James, the footman, who she has fallen in love with.
I loved all the characters and there are some treasurable comedic moments, played out as period drama.
If you missed it then look it out, now that it is on DVD.
Any chance of a cup of your most excellent tea, Mrs Lipton?
Unlike some of the more outrageous characters in other sitcoms written by the same hands (most of the characters in the wonderful Are You Being Served? for example) this had more realism going for it.
Based on such shows as Upstairs Downstairs this series deals with 'them upstairs' and 'those down below'. With a cast of actors culled mainly from previous sitcom hits (notably Hi De Hi and You Ain't Half Hot Mum) laughs were assured.
After all, in which other sitcom do you get:
Lord Meldrum (having an affair with Lady Agatha) Teddy Meldrum (having many affairs with housemaids - and getting 5 of them pregnant) Poppy Meldrum (wanting to have an affair with James, the footman) and Cissy Meldrum (having a lesbian affair with Penelope)
While Poppy's character gets less and less likable as the series goes on, the other three family members become more endearing, and the distress of Lord Meldrum when Lady Agatha dumps him in the last episode is quite upsetting. Comedy is woven round it of course.
And downstairs there are gentle touches amongst the comedy too - such as when Alf invites the charlady, Mabel, to the staff ball.
And much of the comedy is held together by the innocence of the maid, Ivy (played superbly by Su Pollard) and her attempts to stop the butler Alf Stokes (her father, played by Paul Shane) getting his hands on money, and trying to get some attention from James, the footman, who she has fallen in love with.
I loved all the characters and there are some treasurable comedic moments, played out as period drama.
If you missed it then look it out, now that it is on DVD.
Any chance of a cup of your most excellent tea, Mrs Lipton?