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No 64 in the vote for 'Britain's Best Sitcom'

posted 16 years ago by dave842_99
11 replies | jump to latest

Dear John is placed at No 64 in the vote for 'Britain's Best Sitcom' behind classics like 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' , 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps' and 'The Vicar of Dibley'.

Unbelievable I have to say. 'Dear John' had the lot when it came to sitcom comedy - strong characters, funny situations and just an outstanding script.In some ways I feel it was better than 'Fools & Horses' (also written by John Sullivan). Maybe I am going a bit far with saying that but I just think that it's the most underrated comedy you are likely to see and it makes me so angry when we have to put up with rubbish like Catherine Tate and most of the stuff Dawn French serves up( Let them eat Cake, Wild West etc..). Dear John never needed the 'f' word repeated over and over again to raise a laugh - the mark of comedy genius.

So sad Ralph Bates passed away before more series could be made - having said that maybe if it continued then it would have lost it's wonderful attraction and had a dip in standards like Fools & Horses did the moment Raquel was brought in. Still have my memories of Kirk in the xmas special and Ralphie doing his DJ bit..

All class.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] johnkelly1972 16 years ago

Dear John as a series really does rank as one of the truly great, there is nothing to fault it, Ralph Bates was a wonderful choice for the title role,the supporting cast were all sublime, the scripts had just the right amount of pathos and comedy,and some of the plotting was inspired(Especially the episode where Ralph believes he is cursed)Agree that it is cruelly overlooked and where the hell is the DVD release?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dave842_99 16 years ago

All good bits in the series you have mentioned john & miskin. My faves were:

i)The xmas special was brilliant where Kirk saw off the bikers
ii) The Ralphy curse and the caravan off the edge of the cliff story
iii) Ricky Fortune singing 'Not on my birthday'
iv) DJ Ralphy 'Do that jive'

etc etc which is why I get so frustrated with the Dawn French's of this world and Catherine Tate's

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] waspranger 16 years ago

The first series of this is one of the funniest things(series') ive ever seen.

Fantastic writing and brilliant casting.

I remember seeing the very first episode and thinking(at the time) i really wasnt going to like Kirk and he was going to get on my nerves.....boy how did i ever think that because he is one of the best comedy characters of all time(in my opinion).
Every one of the superb cast plays(fits) their character to perfection but Kirk just has you in fits of laughter(having said that , they all do).

Don't read beyond this point if you have never seen the show and are hoping to see it without it being spoilt.....

Ok now we have got rid of the sad people that never saw it when it was on originally i can talk to the proper fans that enjoyed this show :)

Here are my fav bits/lines from the show :

Kirk : Thats the kind of guy i am!

Kirk : Thats all right Mrs Boyd Peters....you have that one on me!!!! LOL

Louise : Any sexual problems!

Louise : Kirk do you have any children? - Kirk : Who knows???

Ralph : ive got a motorcycle combination :)

Ralph(Dazzling Darren) : Boogaloo

Man on desk at the disco : We've got a gay gala in the oscar wilde suite , a grab a granny night , or the divorced and desperate mob have got the main hall' lol

John : My names John.....and im in the wrong room!

Mrs Lemenski : Hello Mad Person

When Kirk is dancing and swinging his jacket around is hilarious

[–] waspranger 16 years ago

Oh i missed......

Sylvia : The cruel , cruel comments.....i'll name that tune in one.....you dont expect that sort of thing from a man of the cloth do you' LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[–] adamknox 10 years ago

Lmao you pretty much summed up all of my fave lines!! Great post

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I ate my twin in the womb. :<

[–] lk_ie 15 years ago

I really think that the show should have had at least 4 series, ending with either John or Kirk marrying Kate. But no one is too blame for poor Ralph Bates passing away when he did. But even with only 2 series this should have really been much, much higher placed, but the idiots in charge of tv want to sell DVDs of the newer inferior programs.

[–] johnkinman222 14 years ago

Totally agree......Todays so called comedies seem to be crude and foul mouthed....No style like old ones...Reason is I think no genuine comic talent....I find the funniest thing is a Comic who thinks hes funnier then really is .Check out QI......Buzzcocks...Mock The Week.Full of the same recycled so called comedians reading from a Script.....Only decent program is Have I got News For You...Where was all these so called comedians befor Paul Merton ????....They are all trying to copy his comic style.Problem is he is funny....Sorry for rant ....I will be accusing Ken Bruce of mimicing Terry Wogan next........Come on lads get a style of your own .!!!!!!

[–] Jason_Radley 14 years ago

Given that DJ has never been repeated on terrestial or satellite TV (and that we've been waiting forever for the DVD release), I'm actually suprised that it placed so highly. Evidently, many people have very fond memories of it.