We Brits, particularly in the 80s and earlier 90s produced a lot of this kind of sitcom - middle class and cosy. We don't do it so much now.
I vaguely remember this during its original run. I was a child so it wasn't really something I watched, more that my parents would be watching it and I would happen to be in the same room.
The setup is fairly straightforward - Julia Mackenzie plays Hester and Anton Rodgers plays William. They're a middle aged, middle class couple of 'empty nesters' living in a very middle class part of London. She is bored and he wants to relax. Much of the comedy comes from Hester's taking up of various hobbies - painting, keep fit, DIY etc. Whilst William just wants a quiet life. Of course this ends up with mild conflict and disaster - comedy and chaos ensues.
Alongside this there are supporting characters - the 'nutty neighbour' Sonya who barges into their kitchen uninvited and announces "It's only Sonya" every time which is met by rapturous laughter and applause from the studio audience. There's also Hester's estranged parents who also provide yet more of the clichéd comedy.. The acting is very "studio-based sitcom" with lines delivered between laughter and applause from the audience. French & Saunders once parodied these kinds of cosy domestic sitcoms with perfect accuracy. This isn't to say the show doesn't have its charms - it is warm and mildly funny, but it is so utterly cosy, safe and British as to be almost a parody itself. It isn't to say the cast aren't talented, because they are all very talented performers.
It's not a bad sitcom if you compare it to others of almost the exact same style and premise. In fact it's one of the better examples of this genre. Worth a look but don't expect any surprises. You can see the jokes a mile off, but will find yourself raising the odd smile.
I vaguely remember this during its original run. I was a child so it wasn't really something I watched, more that my parents would be watching it and I would happen to be in the same room.
The setup is fairly straightforward - Julia Mackenzie plays Hester and Anton Rodgers plays William. They're a middle aged, middle class couple of 'empty nesters' living in a very middle class part of London. She is bored and he wants to relax. Much of the comedy comes from Hester's taking up of various hobbies - painting, keep fit, DIY etc. Whilst William just wants a quiet life. Of course this ends up with mild conflict and disaster - comedy and chaos ensues.
Alongside this there are supporting characters - the 'nutty neighbour' Sonya who barges into their kitchen uninvited and announces "It's only Sonya" every time which is met by rapturous laughter and applause from the studio audience. There's also Hester's estranged parents who also provide yet more of the clichéd comedy.. The acting is very "studio-based sitcom" with lines delivered between laughter and applause from the audience. French & Saunders once parodied these kinds of cosy domestic sitcoms with perfect accuracy. This isn't to say the show doesn't have its charms - it is warm and mildly funny, but it is so utterly cosy, safe and British as to be almost a parody itself. It isn't to say the cast aren't talented, because they are all very talented performers.
It's not a bad sitcom if you compare it to others of almost the exact same style and premise. In fact it's one of the better examples of this genre. Worth a look but don't expect any surprises. You can see the jokes a mile off, but will find yourself raising the odd smile.