A Bit of a Do 

This series was set in a fictional Yorkshire town and based on the books by David Nobbs, the creator of Reginald Perrin and Henry Pratt. Each episode took place at a different social ... See full summary »

Stars:

David Jason, Gwen Taylor, Nicola Pagett

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
David Jason	...	Ted Simcock 13 episodes, 1989
Gwen Taylor	...	Rita Simcock / ... 13 episodes, 1989
Nicola Pagett	...	Liz Badger / ... 13 episodes, 1989
Stephanie Cole	...	Betty Sillitoe 13 episodes, 1989
Tim Wylton	...	Rodney Sillitoe 13 episodes, 1989
Sarah-Jane Holm	...	Jenny Simcock 13 episodes, 1989
Wayne Foskett	...	Elvis Simcock 13 episodes, 1989
Michael Jayston	...	Neville Badger 12 episodes, 1989
Nigel Hastings	...	Simon Rodenhurst 12 episodes, 1989
Karen Drury	...	Carol Fordingbridge 10 episodes, 1989
Malcolm Hebden	...	Alec the Barman 9 episodes, 1989
David Thewlis	...	Paul Simcock 6 episodes, 1989
Tracy Brabin	...	Sandra Pickersgill / ... 6 episodes, 1989

Storyline

This series was set in a fictional Yorkshire town and based on the books by David Nobbs, the creator of Reginald Perrin and Henry Pratt. Each episode took place at a different social function (a "do") and followed the changing lives of two families, the working-class Simcocks and the middle-class Rodenhursts, together with their respective friends, Rodney and Betty Sillitoe, and Neville Badger.

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Plot Keywords:

yorkshire | middle class | social function | working class | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 January 1989 (UK)

Also Known As:

Gremo na zabavo

Filming Locations:

Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (13 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

David Jason claimed appearing in this series paved the way for getting the lead role in The Darling Buds of May (1991) and from there, to getting cast in A Touch of Frost (1992), because although the show only lasted two series, it went down well with critics and viewers alike, and put him on Yorkshire Television's radar.

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Quotes

[recurring line]
Alec the Barman: Can do. No problem. Tickety-boo.

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Soundtracks

A Bit of a Do
(Title Theme)
Written by Ray Russell
Performed by George Melly and John Chilton's Feetwarmers

User Reviews

great entertainment

This is a magnificent programme which falls into the comedy/drama genre, there is plenty of comedy and some of the drama tends toward the serious.

Each episode begins with a cast member on the phone to a friend..."Sorry I can't make it, got a bit of a do on". Then ta-da-da-da-da-da-da George Melly leads us through the opening credits.

To set the scene: the daughter of Mrs Posh (Nicola Pagett) is marrying the son of Mr Common (David Jason). Never mind the class difference, both sets of parents are concerned that their offspring have grown up to be be wet liberals (perish the thought).

Ultimately, all that is irrelevant. The selling points of the series are Pagett and Jason but as the shows progress David Nobbs does a fine job of gradually inserting the rest of the cast into the plot. Relationships are forged, relationships fall apart, there are births, deaths and marriages. All leading to a "do".

I can't fault the first series which is close to perfect. I think Nobbs tries to do a bit much to start the second series with some questionable scenarios but it recovers. All the other characters blossom to make this a true ensemble piece.