I couldn't resist this book as I passed the second hand shop this morning. Looks like a corker of a "sparkling new comedy from Thames TV" (1980). The write-up on the back tells us:He's a highly-qualified, lightning witted, ultra-bright freelance layabout. His girlfriend Fran wants him to settle down to the pursuit of fame and fortune but Shelley's too buy for that.
He's sending up the labour exchange, running rings around the bank manager, running an urban guerilla war where his brains are a secret weapon.
Sounds hilarious...no?
But wait there's more...it's got a wikipedia entry and apparently was produced through to 1992.
Posts
2 comments:
Actually, that sounds rather interesting. Wikipedia is a little vague on starting and ending dates, but it looks like the original three series ran 1979-1984, right into the heart of Thatcher's period in power.
Which makes the blurb sound a lot more interesting and potentially subversive. (Plus, some of the writers went on to do Drop the Dead Donkey, which I adored.)
I've also only just realised that that's Hywel Bennett, who's been in everything, including Doctor Who (in 1965), a handful of Denis Potter pieces, and (as a creeeeeepy villain) in Neil Gaiman's truly excellent Neverwhere.
Yes i didn't recognise him on the book cover...but he's been around. interesting that writers went on to Drop the Dead Donkey...I actually started reading it last night...very critical of unemployment system etc in the opening chapter...so maybe thatcherism looms large...i don't remember ever seeing it here in Australia though so not sure whether it got an airing
Post a Comment