I enjoyed the first series, but never really returned because Lang always seemed miscast. The cut glass RP ENglish accents of her and Rona? I don't know.
Now that I can see that the show was a virtual UK translation of 'Roseanne' I can see 'Bill' being better played by Margi Clarke or Hattie Hayridge - two extremes, I realise.
Belinda was perfect in the role, I thought. Shame she doesn't do more TV. Her accent is slightly 'posher' in real life than as Bill - in the show, she just sounded 'normal': not too posh, not too common. Jenny actually sounded posher! I think the show maybe started out similar to Roseanne, but as it came into its own, it took a much darker and more surreal complexion. At times it almost felt more like One Foot In The Grave. I can't see Roseanne having a scene in which the family beat a giant inflatable Pope with bats, or in which the family become addicted to experimental chocolate bars, or end up killing the neighbours' pets in a variety of increasingly bizarre ways. Also, it *usually* managed to avoid the schmaltz which the Americans pile on in spades.
Your name is of no importance and you live in the pipe in the upstairs water closet.
And as I constantly seem to have to state, the pilot was written before Roseanne, although it was transmitted after.
shareGood to know - I guess any similarities (and there weren't many) were coincidental. I think people see comparisons just because they were both working class family sitcoms of the same era. That's where any similarity ends, really (although I suppose you could push it and say the fathers were similar physical types).
Your name is of no importance and you live in the pipe in the upstairs water closet.
The OFITG connection is partly becuase Andrew and David Renwick had worked together in the past, shame so few comedies have the spark that Andrew and David could put into things.
shareTotally disagree Belinda was brilliant in the role, not sure why she doesn't do much TV thse days maybe fewer roles for women her age (60 this year)
UNbelievable really to think that.
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I thought Lang was fine as they were supposed to be an upwardly mobile family.
Its that man again!!
Lang never seemed right for comedies but she did rather well at it.
Its that man again!!
Belinda Lang was great...she gave a fully rounded performance. All actors were well cast.
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