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Desmond's

  • TV Series
  • 1989–1994
  • TV-14
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Desmond's (1989)
SitcomComedy

Meet Desmond, his non-conforming family, and the regulars of his hairdresser salon in Peckham, London.Meet Desmond, his non-conforming family, and the regulars of his hairdresser salon in Peckham, London.Meet Desmond, his non-conforming family, and the regulars of his hairdresser salon in Peckham, London.

  • Creator
    • Trix Worrell
  • Stars
    • Norman Beaton
    • Carmen Munroe
    • Ram John Holder
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Trix Worrell
    • Stars
      • Norman Beaton
      • Carmen Munroe
      • Ram John Holder
    • 8User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Episodes71

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Norman Beaton
    • Desmond Ambrose
    • 1989–1994
    Carmen Munroe
    • Shirley Ambrose
    • 1989–1994
    Ram John Holder
    Ram John Holder
    • Augustus 'Porkpie' Grant
    • 1989–1994
    Gyearbuor Asante
    Gyearbuor Asante
    • Matthew
    • 1989–1994
    Kim Walker
    • Gloria Ambrose
    • 1989–1994
    Geff Francis
    Geff Francis
    • Michael Ambrose
    • 1989–1994
    Robbie Gee
    Robbie Gee
    • Lee Stanley
    • 1989–1994
    Justin Pickett
    • Sean Ambrose
    • 1989–1994
    Dominic Keating
    Dominic Keating
    • Tony
    • 1989–1993
    Matilda Thorpe
    Matilda Thorpe
    • Mandy Mosgrove
    • 1989–1994
    Lisa Geoghan
    • Louise Dixon
    • 1989–1992
    Count Prince Miller
    • Vince
    • 1989–1994
    Joan Ann Maynard
    • Beverley McIntosh
    • 1989–1994
    Dean Gatiss
    • Ricky Flaxman
    • 1994
    Sol Raye
    • Bert
    • 1989–1994
    Chris Tummings
    Chris Tummings
    • Alex Reynolds
    • 1992–1994
    Robert McKewley
    • Spider Webb
    • 1991–1994
    Alphonsia Emmanuel
    • Patricia Robeson
    • 1990–1992
    • Creator
      • Trix Worrell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    7.81.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10MaltaDoctor

    Fabulous . . . Absolutely Fabulous !

    Title : Desmond's (TV Show)

    Date of Review : 24th of April 2014

    Reviewer : Malta Doctor

    Score : 10 Out of 10

    Would I Recommend the Series to a Friend ? : Yes

    Would I Personally Pay for a DVD Box Set of the Series ? : Yes

    Would I (Really) Want There to be a Total Remake of the Series , complete with a Brand New Set of Characters and a Totally Fresh Cast ? : MOST DEFINITELY NOT !

    Additional Suggestions : None At Present

    Source : www.MaltaDoctor.com
    9netty1968

    Blast from the past...

    Have just finished watching what, to me, epitomised black British comedy in the '90s. This comedy is laugh out loud hilarious, without being patronising and has managed to stand the test of time, even by today's standards.

    Norman Beaton (may he rest in peace) was a comedic genius and it made me cry just recalling the fact that he is no longer with us. The remaining supporting cast were equally funny, making a series basically focusing on the day to day events in a barbers in Peckham, very realistic.

    A lot of the humour resonates with my own childhood, with the loud banter, constant ribbing and no one safe from the butt of a joke. I hope other people get hooked on this programme as you will not regret spending half an hour with the Ambroses...
    hillari

    Black Humor From Across The Pond

    I was surprised to come across this predominately Black sitcom from the UK. BET used to show episodes of it in the early 1990s. It is a very funny show about a barber and his family, employees and friends. Much of the humor came from Desmond's inability to adapt to changing times and ideas. Desmond's oldest son, Michael, was sort of a mirror image of his father, a stuffed shirt banker who always had to do things by the book. Michael's younger sister and brother, were typical teens, prone to the ups and downs of growing up. One of the best characters was Porkpie, one of Desmond's old friends; a guy like him can be found in any barber shop anywhere in the world. Another good character was Auntie Suzu, Demond's wild sister-in-law. There are other British sitcoms out on video now; I hope this one comes out on video, as well.
    smiley-32

    Desmond's..? A comedy classic for black people..

    Desmond's 1989 was when the new comedy branched its way from the TV station of Channel 4. Thus, this was one of the funniest and most classic comedies for black people that has ever been produced.

    From the other characters that I remember like Porkpie for instance, has certainly made audiences laugh from time to time.

    Mind you, I would rate this as one of the best and still will be for a long time.
    paoguy118

    What a great show!

    We used to watch this show on BET and laughed ourselves silly every time. Apparently this show ended with the lead actor's death. However, I wish it would come to DVD or VHS. I would be standing in line to buy the first copies.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Desmond's long-held dream throughout the show was to retire to his homeland of Guyana, which is how the series ended - ironically, because actor Norman Beaton had decided to do the same. On 13 December 1994 - six days before the final episode of the show aired - Beaton flew to Guyana, collapsed with a heart attack at Georgetown Airport and died just hours later, aged 60.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Porkpie: Yeah mon.

    • Crazy credits
      The series 1 - 4 theme tune was the original recording of the theme tune "Dont Scratch My Soca" and a video montage of life in and around Peckham, people arriving on ships and an exterior shot of Shirley and Desmond outside the barbershop was used.
    • Connections
      Featured in What's Up Doc?: Episode #3.9 (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Don't Scratch My Soca
      Music by John Collins

      Lyrics by Trix Worrell

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does Desmond's have?Powered by Alexa
    • Is there likely to be a showing on TV again?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 5, 1989 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Channel 4 Television Corporation
      • Channel 4 Television
      • Channel 4
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • 70 mm 6-Track
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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