What was the storyline reason why the great Eric Catchpole left the show?
Thank you.
My Dynamic DVD/VHS Movie List - http://www.barryskelly.co.uk
From Scotland
I'd have to watch the DVD again to be sure, but I believe the story was that Eric decided to stay and help an uncle who managed a pub; whom was first introduced in an earlier episode in the same series.
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JimK
I'm thinking that there may have been something more to Eric and Lady Jane's leaving - McShane must be a very centred person, He's certainly got a temper and I get the impression that they left because of that. I know I have heard of this, or read it somewhere.
Eric (Jury) did make other films afterwards, but not many. He has his own Production company now and may have been starting it towards the end of the Lovejoy series.
ONE thing I am glad about is that there are other folks out there doing the same as me! Watching them on TV, even though I've got the whole series!!!
Keep on keeping on!!
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JimK
That's right, I remember now, that's where I had read it; on DS's interview.
I've just seen a recent pic of Ian McShane and the lines are showing, but the hair is still black (Grecian 2000?).
All of the cast have age 21 years since the first series, so a 'reunion' would, maybe be, a disappointment as we like to think of them as they were (no doubt they do too!)
There may be an element of truth of Ian McShane's influence over the series being part of the reason they pulled out, but I don't think it was really on bitter terms or anything; I know Phyllis Logan certainly wanted to work on other projects and not be typecast.
I think they were right, especially with Eric, to not simply create clones out of their "replacements". Particularly Beth - she's no Eric, but she's a good enough character in her own right. I think if they had just gone for 'Eric mk. 2' it would have come off rather badly.
Wish we could have seen more of Eric in 'Last Tango in Lavenham'.
I was reading one of the Lovejoy novels - 'Gold from Gemini' - where I think the inspiration for Eric came from.
In 'Gold from Gemini' Lovejoy is, as usual, short on money so he takes on one of his old antique dealing friends newphew as an apprentice, in an attempt to teach him the trade. His name is Archie and like Eric is a bit of a klutz and rides around on a motorbike. However, he doesn't share Eric's talent with antiques or Eric's slightly cynical outlook on life and is a very enthusiastc geeky character with an interest in bird spotting.
An online British tv review site states that "Ian Mcshane liked the novels so much he bought the screen rights". I would suggest that having seen how popular the first tv series had been IM wanted to make even more money by being both star and producer! Hence the 5 year hiatus caused by the wrangle over rights etc.
shareThat's completely wrong; McShane bought the rights in the first place and was producer from the very beginning (through his company 'Tamariska') - he initiated the entire project. The reason for the long gap between series one and two was because the first run was only a modest success and the BBC management of the day weren't keen to produce any more - in short it was actually cancelled. Five years later McShane has additional clout from his stint on 'Dynasty', the BBC drama department are now more sympathetic to the series and it gets recommissioned and (to an extent) reformatted, this time resulting in a ratings success.
Whether or not the star/producer was a tough task-master we can't be sure but I seriously doubt Logan and Jury would have lasted as long as they did if he was that bad - they may have simply decided it was time to move and given the declining quality of the scripts later on, it's perfectly understandable if they did.
Five years later McShane has additional clout from his stint on 'Dynasty', the BBC drama department are now more sympathetic to the series and it gets recommissioned and (to an extent) reformatted, this time resulting in a ratings success.
McShane was cast in Dallas as a love interest for Sue Ellen.
My understanding is that Jury wanted to branch out into producing, directing, writing etc and that is exactly what he did. He has written for The Bill, Doctors etc and directed the main soap operas.
Its that man again!!
McShane was cast in Dallas as a love interest for Sue Ellen.
Ken Kercheval also appeared in Lovejoy as well.
The story goes that Ken was tempted to appear by the fact that Sir John Gielgud would also be appearing only to discover they have no scenes together!
Its that man again!!
The story goes that Ken was tempted to appear by the fact that Sir John Gielgud would also be appearing only to discover they have no scenes together!
"At risk of seeming incredibly pedantic (my apologies) I feel it necessary to point out Ian was on 'Dallas' rather than 'Dynasty' ;-)"
Same thing, different spelling. ;)
I think if you watch these interviews it might dispel any ideas that McShane had any problems with any of his co-stars,in fact he speaks very warmly about them all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fslj4MWUok8#t=538.649184
I was pretty sad when he left, I thought he was pretty cute and the guy from Gold from Gemini was called Algernon, not Archie
I love Philip Winchester and Scott Tracy like hell
Lovejoy wasn't quite the same after Lady Jane & Eric left. Putting Beth in the cast was a mistake !
shareWell, I saw the LAST season first, and only recently found vids of the first 5.
I prefer the later cast by a great margin. That just shows that you prefer whichever you get used to or are first indoctrinated with, not necessarily which cast is "better."
As for why Jury left? Most likely because he was fired. (duh) There could be lots of reasons.
The only explanation that DOESN'T make sense is that he was unhappy with his lines. (re the Sutton interview.) That's just absurd.
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" He mentioned that Phyllis left because she wanted to have a baby or wanted to spend time with her family - something like that."
Ah, yes that makes a lot more sense.
Thanks for the thoughts.
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He got fired, what for?
I love Philip Winchester and Scott Tracy like hell
This is an old thread but - I recently heard from Chris Jury himself that he left the show to direct his first short film (and then go on to write and direct more). He admited that it sort of killed the show from there. But hey, life takes us down different roads.
shareEvery actor makes up excuses once they are let go.
Here's a news flash: Actors ACT. If they are lucky enough to have a recurring role, no matter how small, they are in on tenth of one percent of all professional actors. They don't quit unless there's another high paying opportunity available.
Here's another news flash: No actor will ever admit they were fired or let go.
I agree with you on Lovejoy wasn't quite the same after Lady Jane & Eric left
I love Philip Winchester and Scott Tracy like hell
I dont think it as worse such,its a bit of a mixed bag really Eric`s replacement Beth was a minor downgrade but swapping Lady Jane for Charlotte i thought was a slight upgrade so it kind of evened out..
shareI was sad to see Eric and Lady Jane leave the show. One more season to go on dvd and what then????? Any suggestions of shows as appealing and fun as Lovejoy?????
shareJust started watching Lovejoy again--Jury's casting is a head scratcher. He has marginal acting skills is not attractive at all. He is the one part of the series that bothers me.
shareMarginal acting skills?
He had no at all.
Which is funny as he is now lecturing on acting.
He Eric Catchpole was not in the books one can only assume he was added as a comedy foil.
I personnel though Major/Corporal Tinker Dill filled that role nicely.
I think that Eric should've gotten his own TV show
I love Philip Winchester and Scott Tracy like hell