To wish we had more TV like this?

[SaintlyLady]

Last night I watched The Two Ronnies Xmas Special from 1982 and Sorry! from 1988.

i literally laughed out loud at some of the sketches in the Two Ronnies -

and Sorry! is an excellent example of my VERY favourite TV genre -

Home Counties set,
middle class,
middle aged,
middle England, ‘
’middle of the road’
sitcoms 🙌

AIBU to want these programmes back on linear BBC1 and ITV?

It definitely was - it was also apparently Richard Briers’ favourite!

Surprisingly it wasn’t set in the Home Counties - it was apparently set in East Sussex I think - but very much followed the template of the early to mid 1980s Hone Counties middle class suburban sitcom.

I ADORE Not Going Out !!! Have never watched the last two you mentioned!

Not Going Out is mainly on the Dave Freeview channel - it’s my go to programme if I want to de stress!

They were different - Ronnie Barker was imo the most all-round talented.

I like the Good Life - I think it was filmed in Northwood, Middlesex so north west London but supposed to be set in south London?

but 1979 - 1986 is my sitcom era so as far as watching in ‘real time’ is concerned it was a bit before my time ! 🤣

If you live elsewhere in the country Sussex is ‘Home Counties’ - it’s not a precise descriptor. South east corner but not Essex. The bits of England where people don’t think they have an accent. <ducks>

I also raise you all -

The Cuckoo Waltz
Shelley
Rings On Their Fingers
Chintz
It Takes A Worried Man
L For Lester
The Gaffer
Home To Roost
That’s My Boy
There’s No Place Like Home
Fresh Fields
Bottle Boys
Robin’s Nest

You're not the only one. I thought the writing and delivery on TTR was far better than M&W, I always found M&W slightly creepy for some reason.

That's not to say I don't laugh at some M&W gags.

What different people find funny is so subjective. I mostly can't stand Red Dwarf but my DH loves it. Doesn't mean it doesn't have bits I find hilarious.

I love League of Gentlemen, he hates it but also laughs out loud at some bits.

Never even heard of it. Intrigued now.

I think The Two Ronnies produced better comedy, but they seemed like unpleasant people, which was quite off-putting, whereas Morcambe and Wise came across as being lovely.

Ah glad someone finally agrees with me ! Thing is I cant deny that M & W managed to get the very high profile celebs on and was perhaps considered a slightly more ‘high brow’ show!

Red Dwarf and League of Gentlemen I’m not at all familiar with ! Very much ‘after my time!’ 😭

He worked at Mole Valley Valves. The Mole valley is Surrey.

Love watching Yes Minister now - still seems pretty relevant!

Two Ronnies also classic.

Not sure about middle class white sitcoms though - sounds dull.

Since when has Essex not been home counties?

They're just the counties surrounding London?

Sorry I must’ve been getting it confused with ‘Born and Bred!’

Although I’ve not seen her in anything since Corrie - I’ve just looked her up and she’s got loads of impressive acting credits ! - I think the issue is my prime TV era was 1979 - 1986 and I’m well out of touch with TV of the last few decades!

Perception from elsewhere. Or tbh from the outer reaches of Essex where I was raised, apart from Frinton-on-Sea.

I think The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town would still be funny! Though I think that was written by Spike Milligan?

Isn't it good that there are channels that show quality tv from days past? There is some dross of course, we should not forget there were some awful programmes.

Love 2 ronnies but we are not in any way woke or offended on behalf of other people

Dear John
Just Good Friends

Not a comedy as such but Judy Dench and Geoffrey Palmer in 'As time goes by' is my go to for gentle TV viewing.

Another shudder.

1970s/1980s comedy was painful to watch.

Aw they’re great aren’t they ?

Of all the others you mention the only one I’m really familiar with is Fast Show - 90s is generally speaking ‘after my time!’

But Fast Show was gold !!

Ah I never watched that sitcom as too 90s for me 🤣 but I loved Geoffrey Palmer in Butterflies and Judi Dench from ‘A Fine Romance’

Just Good Friends was great - Desr John for some reason completely passed me by although it’s Slap Bang in my era!