Created by Simon Nye of 'Men Behaving Badly' fame, 'Frank Stubbs Promotes' was a starring vehicle for Timothy Spall, intended to capitalise on his popularity in 'Auf Wiedershen Pet' in which he played boring electrician Barry 'The Radish' Taylor. When he first meet Frank he is working as a ticket tout. After a run-in with the police, he decides to go straight and become a promoter. Australian businessman 'Peter Dagenham' ( John Turner ) wants Frank to make a star out of his daughter - a country and western singer called 'Candy' ( Maria Friedman ). Frank borrows money from his married sister 'Petra Dillon' ( Lesley Sharp ) and soon, thanks to Frank, London's buses are carrying advertisements for Candy's first gig, brazenly hyping her as an Australian Dolly Parton. Can Frank make Candy a star?
When first broadcast, this series was inevitably compared to 'Minder', but I think a more favourable comparison would be with Adam Faith's 'Budgie'. Like Budgie Bird, Frank Stubbs dreams of fame and riches and is prepared to exploit people along the way. Frank is a more assertive and confidant character than Barry, and more successful with the ladies ( it is implied he and Candy are lovers ).
Interestingly, when 'Auf Pet' returned in 2002, Barry was now a millionaire, inheriting some of Stubbs' characteristics. 'Frank Stubbs Promotes' never goes for laugh-out loud humour, but keeps one smiling throughout. There would be two series in all. To date, there has been no DVD release, and I find that very strange.
When first broadcast, this series was inevitably compared to 'Minder', but I think a more favourable comparison would be with Adam Faith's 'Budgie'. Like Budgie Bird, Frank Stubbs dreams of fame and riches and is prepared to exploit people along the way. Frank is a more assertive and confidant character than Barry, and more successful with the ladies ( it is implied he and Candy are lovers ).
Interestingly, when 'Auf Pet' returned in 2002, Barry was now a millionaire, inheriting some of Stubbs' characteristics. 'Frank Stubbs Promotes' never goes for laugh-out loud humour, but keeps one smiling throughout. There would be two series in all. To date, there has been no DVD release, and I find that very strange.