HOWARD'S WAY From Start - Drama Channel

[mum2jakie]

Starting today - Howard's Way is showing every week day at 2pm on the Drama Channel.

That theme tune takes me right back to the eighties and Sunday evenings!!! I grew up in the Midlands so had no idea about half of the terms but loved it!

[Treetrim]

@marmiteadict And Tom then makes an issue of Jan working and not looking after the home when he is bringing no money in. Tom is a bit of an arse

[mum2jakie]

Yeah Tom isn't coming across well on a second viewing as an adult. Can't believe how old all the cast seem too. Must be the hair styles!

[marmiteadict]

Tom

Where has going going safe got me ?

Erm a really nice house in Burseldon.

[newnamethanks]

Crikey! I think I've grown up in the intervening years? I've definitely changed. Gave up half way through episode 1, reminded me of Crossroads. Feel quite disappointed.

[Treetrim]

@newnamethanks Same , it just didn’t age well at all

[piffle123]

Forgotten what a total arse Tom was

[Elodie09]

I loved this show! We retired to the south coast in 2020 and live near where this was filmed so I really must watch it.

[mum2jakie]

Today's episode had a very young looking Anthony Head in it!

[DramaAlpaca]

It hasn't aged well, I agree, but I'm loving revisiting this.

[red4321]

I'm horrified that Ken Master, who seemed a slimy creep to teenage me, is actually one of the better options. Which doesn't say a lot for the rest of the men but I feel slightly dirty for admitting it.

I can't believe how much gender stereotyping there was and not all that long ago really. Jan works late so her mum has to go round to cook dinner?! Because two adult men couldn't possibly cater for themselves. It's quite an eye-opener although you realise how much progress has been made on that front.

[mum2jakie]

I've watched up to episode four and Ken Masters is pretty vile to his girlfriend!

Yes, the difference in attitudes towards women from then and now feels shocking. Has to have the mother in law round to cook his tea!

[RaraRachael]

I have had a rethink and started watching again. Some of the fashions are hideous - the yellow number that Polly wore to the art exhibition was a howler!

Yes, the difference in attitudes towards women from then and now feels shocking. Has to have the mother in law round to cook his tea!

This is very true but also the idea that walking a girl home or taking her sailing meant you were entitled to try it on with her. Poor Lynne had to fight them both off as they weren't going to take no for an answer and then ended up blaming her.

I'd forgotten how gorgeous Tony Anholt was - shame he died at at a relatively young age.

[Iamthewombat]

Ooooh thanks for starting this thread OP! I have been watching it. It’s my guilty post-work pleasure.

In answer to a PP, yes, it was supposed to be a British version of Dallas/Dynasty. I’m 51 so I remember the big fuss when it launched in 1985. We only had four channels then so y’know, we were easily pleased.

I agree that the acting is terrible. The only convincing characters are Jack &Avril Rolfe and the dreaded Ken Masters. Despite his penchant for white polo necks and action slacks I reckon that if you shaved his head and gave him a makeover he wouldn’t be too bad. His girlfriend, Dawn, later became notorious for having a long affair with Jeffrey Archer (well, the actress anyway).

Despite the series being quite old I wouldn’t mind living in Howards’ Way world. I’d wear Lynne’s wardrobe and live her life. Sailing with Tony Head and working in the yacht club, yes please.

[lieselotte]

The best thing about Howard's Way was the theme tune.

Tony Anholt was gorgeous, but I could never understand why Charles Frere needed to take his lawyer everywhere with him. But when I grew up and became a lawyer myself I realised how much some people need lawyers to hold their hands. Not the extent that Charles did though.

[mum2jakie]

Ken Masters was a nasty piece of work in today's episode. Had his hands around his girlfriend's face and yet another incident with Lynn having to fight off unwanted advances.

Looking at Leo Howard, I can only see Freddie Highmore's face now I know he's his son!

[Riverlee]

Don’t know why, but I remember his name as Charles De Frere.

[Iamthewombat]

Doesn’t Polly’s husband Gerald turn out to be gay and she’s his beard or something?

I celebrated when I heard the magic word ‘syndicate’ spoken by Gerald to Ken Masters. It will be ‘consortium’ all the way from now on.

Yeah the old fashioned attitudes! When Tom was griping, “at least somebody cares about the home” when Jan had the temerity to, er, go to work and her mother got them a takeaway. Then tonight when Lynne asked Tom what was for dinner he said, “don’t ask me, ask her” (Jan again). Beware, Avril! If you get off with him it will be dinner on the table for 6.30 pm sharp while he wanks on about fibreglass displacement boats!

[mum2jakie]

We should play Howards' Way Bingo! Marina, boatyard, consortium, syndicate, catamaran....😁

[Iamthewombat]

I’m making a bingo card tomorrow! Poly says ‘darling’ at least once per episode so I’ll add that.

[RomanMum]

Polly is a terrible character (and not a great actor).

How about trying to match Jack Rolfe drink for drink? You'd be comatose by the end.

[RaraRachael]

I was ill yesterday so binge watched the whole series. My bingo card is now full!
I hope Drama are not just going to show series one.

Jan's boutique is such an odd idea. Who would set up a high end shop selling French designer clothes in a ship chandler's? At the grand opening, I didn't see anybody but Polly and let's face it, she'd go to anything if there was a free drink in it.

[Iamthewombat]

It’s for the gin and tonic set, darling!

I’m waiting for Clod to appear (Claude the French in-house designer for the implausible boutique). I’ll celebrate with a GnT when ca se passe!

[january123]

@Iamthewombat

It’s for the gin and tonic set, darling!

I’m waiting for Clod to appear (Claude the French in-house designer for the implausible boutique). I’ll celebrate with a GnT when ca se passe!

"Claude" aka Malcom Jamieson!

[Iamthewombat]

Polly sporting another terrible yellow dress today but on the plus side I think we may get Charles Frere in this episode. Consortium, syndicate blah blah

[lifeissweet]

I'm absolutely bloody loving it in all its shitness. I've laughed out loud a few times (at the odd Acorn Antiques bits of terrible dialogue or an intense look past the camera for a little too long).

Is it just me or are those 80s short, but huge hairstyles massively aging? I think Jan's supposed to be my age (as Tom said he's 44 and I'm assuming she is about the same age). Both she and Polly seem older. Mind you, I would put Tom squarely in his 50s too.

Also, there was a lovely long shot of Leo's precision pressed jeans with the crease down the front. Yum. He gives me the colossal ick in so many ways.