The Cuckoo Waltz (1975–1977)

Creator:

Geoffrey Lancashire

Stars:

Diane Keen, David Roper, Clare Kelly

Cast

Series cast summary:
Diane Keen	...	Fliss Hawthorne (26 episodes, 1975-1980)
David Roper	...	Chris Hawthorne (26 episodes, 1975-1980)
Clare Kelly	...	Connie Wagstaffe (20 episodes, 1975-1980)
Lewis Collins	...	Gavin Rumsey (19 episodes, 1975-1977)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Gökvalsen"
(uncredited)
("The Cuckoo Waltz")
Composed by Johann Emanuel Jonasson
Arranged by Derek Hilton
(Theme tune)

User Reviews

Cuckoo in the nest

Quite a few sitcoms over the years have featured plots in which a friend or relative moves in with the main characters, and generally makes a nuisance of him/herself. This Granada sitcom was based on that idea, and gave Lewis Collins his first taste of television stardom. He played wealthy 'Gavin Rumsey', on the rebound from a failed marriage with 'Carol' ( Rachel Davies ), with whom he broke up because she 'walked on my humpback bridge' ( Gavin is a massive Scalextrix fan ). He moves in with best friend Chris Hawthorne ( David Roper ), a northern news reporter, and wife 'Felicity' - known to all and sundry as 'Fliss' ( the lovely Diane Keen ). I used to wonder why, with his money, he did not simply get a place of his own. He probably fancied Fliss and who can blame him? His presence disrupts the smooth day-to-day running of the house; 'dolly birds' are soon flitting about, and expensive gadgetry installed. It was like 'Man About The House' only with two men ( instead of one ) flat sharing with an attractive female.

David Roper' Chris was so smug one wondered why Fliss didn't ditch him and run off with the better-looking Gavin. Beautiful Diane Keen did her best with a role which gave her nothing to do other than push a pram and look bewildered. Collins' played Gavin more or less straight. John McKelvey got a lot of the laughs as the eccentric neighbour 'Austen Tweedale'. The Hawthornes also had to face Fliss's interfering mother 'Connie Wagstaffe'.

'Waltz' shot to top of the ratings when it debuted in 1975 - in I.T.V.'s legendary Monday 8 P.M. slot. The late Geoffrey Lancashire - who took over 'The Lovers' following Jack Rosenthal's departure - created the show, and while his scripts are hardly classics, he came up with some good lines. I treasure the memory of John Barrett saying in one episode: "You could never have a D-Day for this generation. They'd sail past Normandy and invade Skegness!".

After three seasons, it ended. Collins went off to become action man 'Bodie' in 'The Professionals', Roper moved on to 'Leave It To Charlie', while Keen teamed up with Martin Jarvis for 'Rings On Their Fingers'.

In 1980, the show was briefly revived, with Ian Saynor's 'Adrian Lockett' replacing Collins, who made no secret whatever of his interest with Fliss.