First watched : September 1976
This extremely popular sitcom was into its third series by the time we caught up with it in the 8.30 pm slot on a Friday night. Written by Esmonde and Larbey the team behind Please Sir , it concerned a 40 year old man Tom Good ( Richard Briers ) deciding to quit his job as a draughtsman and live a self-sufficient lifestyle in the heart of Surbiton with long-suffering wife Barbara ( Felicity Kendal ). The prospect of animals roaming around the garden next door appalls stroppy social climbing neighbour Margot ( Penelope Keith ) to the secret delight of henpecked husband Jerry ( Paul Eddington ) .
There were four series between 1975 and 1978 with two specials, the last a Royal Command Performance in front of the Queen. Only Briers was well known beforehand but all four became stars and went on to starring roles in subsequent sitcoms.
The series has had its knockers. It was resolutely middle class with none of the characters' little dilemmas very important in the overall scheme of things and the lovey-dovey relations between and across the couples now appear too saccharin. More specifically Keith's character has been accused of softening up the nation for Thatcher. See here for instance ( I'm right about the number of series btw) or here. Which is all good fun like the programme itself.
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