Wednesday, 13 July 2016

442 The Other 'Arf





First viewed :  Spring  1980

As  far  as  ITV  sitcoms  go  this  was  a  reasonably  engaging  show  about  class  conflict  which provided  another TV vehicle  for  former  model  Lorraine  Chase  beside  her  regular  occupancy   of   "bimbo  corner "  on  Blankety  Blank.  Chase   made  her  name   in  ads  for  Campari   in  the late seventies  which  made  effective  use  of  the  contrast  between  her  exotic  looks  and  Deptford accent. Terence  Howard,  who  scripted  those  ads,  pitched  extending   the  idea  to  a  comedy series  to  the  Likely  Lads  duo  Dick  Clement  and  Ian  La  Frenais  who  agreed  to  come  on board.

Chase , who  had  little  acting  experience  other  than  the  ads, played  Lorraine  Watts  (  to  help her  with  her  cues ), a  Cockney  model  who  becomes  involved  with  a  benign  Tory  MP  Charles Latimer  ( John  Standing )  and   they  start  moving  in  each  other's  circles. It  was  basically  an update  of  Pygmalion   with  the  Alf  Dolittle  role  performed  by  John  Cater  as  Lorraine's  dad George.

It  was  OK  I  suppose. I  never  watched  it  with  full  attention  but  it  ran  for  four  seasons  so  it must  have  held  its  own  in  the  ratings.

 

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