Like his 'Are You Being Served?' co star Mollie Sugden, John Inman got his own show in 1977. Whilst Sugden's show, 'Come Back Mrs. Noah', was scripted by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, Inman's vehicle 'Odd Man Out' was written by 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Nearest & Dearest' creator Vince Powell.
Inman played to the hilt Neville Sutcliffe, the owner of a fish and chip shop in Blackpool. After learning that his father, who owned a seaside rock factory, has died, Neville leaves his beloved shop in charge of his friend Bobby ( who was never seen ) and moves to Littlehampton to take half responsibility of the factory along with his snobbish sister Dorothy.
The foreman of the factory is Wilf, of whom Neville always asked ''how's your rock, cock?''. Other workers in the factory included Percy ( Jan Harding ), West Indian Clio ( Glenna Forster Jones ), big chested Marilyn ( Vivienne Johnson ) and charlady Ma ( Avril Angers ).
Inman had high hopes for the show, as did its writer Vince Powell, who clearly tried making it into another 'Nearest & Dearest', however viewer apathy ensured that 'Odd Man Out' closed for business after only seven episodes. A pity as it wasn't actually bad. Most of the time it was rather funny. I think one possible explanation for the show's failure is the broadening of Inman's sexuality. Mr. Humphries from 'Are You Being Served?' was only implied to have been gay whereas here it was glaringly obvious.
Josephine Tewson was wonderful as Neville's sister Dorothy. This woman has comedy in her blood. It is also easy to forget just how attractive a woman she once was in those days. 'Carry On' star Peter Butterworth also made a fine supporting character and foil for Neville and Dorothy. The rest of the cast also were impressive, particularly the stunning Vivienne Johnson, whose big boobs were even more impressive.
''Odd Man Out' is anything but a vintage classic but Inman and the rest of the cast made it watchable. Inman returned to the BBC to do a few more 'Are You Being Served?' before moving onto his next solo vehicle in 1981, Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney's 'Take A Letter Mr. Jones'.
Inman played to the hilt Neville Sutcliffe, the owner of a fish and chip shop in Blackpool. After learning that his father, who owned a seaside rock factory, has died, Neville leaves his beloved shop in charge of his friend Bobby ( who was never seen ) and moves to Littlehampton to take half responsibility of the factory along with his snobbish sister Dorothy.
The foreman of the factory is Wilf, of whom Neville always asked ''how's your rock, cock?''. Other workers in the factory included Percy ( Jan Harding ), West Indian Clio ( Glenna Forster Jones ), big chested Marilyn ( Vivienne Johnson ) and charlady Ma ( Avril Angers ).
Inman had high hopes for the show, as did its writer Vince Powell, who clearly tried making it into another 'Nearest & Dearest', however viewer apathy ensured that 'Odd Man Out' closed for business after only seven episodes. A pity as it wasn't actually bad. Most of the time it was rather funny. I think one possible explanation for the show's failure is the broadening of Inman's sexuality. Mr. Humphries from 'Are You Being Served?' was only implied to have been gay whereas here it was glaringly obvious.
Josephine Tewson was wonderful as Neville's sister Dorothy. This woman has comedy in her blood. It is also easy to forget just how attractive a woman she once was in those days. 'Carry On' star Peter Butterworth also made a fine supporting character and foil for Neville and Dorothy. The rest of the cast also were impressive, particularly the stunning Vivienne Johnson, whose big boobs were even more impressive.
''Odd Man Out' is anything but a vintage classic but Inman and the rest of the cast made it watchable. Inman returned to the BBC to do a few more 'Are You Being Served?' before moving onto his next solo vehicle in 1981, Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney's 'Take A Letter Mr. Jones'.