One Foot in the Grave is one of my all time favourite comedy programmes. I love it.I’ve seen most episodes a few times and they always make me laugh. I love this miserable character Victor Meldrew, his manic activities and his catchphrase "I don't believe it!". His way of dealing with problems is a lesson in how not to win friends and influence people. It’s also good to see programmes which are about older people but I have to say this was one character and series that were popular with all ages.
There were times when the comedy was rather black and there were some very sad parts, but I think the best comedy usually contains these elements.
All the characters in the programmes are really well drawn especially Margaret, the long suffering wife! I love the droll, sarcastic neighbour Patrick always trying to catch Victor out and also his long suffering wife Pippa, who along with Margaret was always trying to make the peace with Victor.
There are times when I feel a bit like Victor Meldrew but luckily the things that happened to him haven’t happened to me. I really couldn’t have coped.
I got an email today from the BBC Shop advertising their sale and One Foot in The Grave was one of the DVDs which has been reduced. I took a look at You Tube to remind me about the programme and ended up hooked watching the videos. I laughed so much that despite my intentions of cutting down my spending, I decided to buy the full series boxed set with all the Christmas Specials! No problems when my husband moans about there being nothing on the telly to watch now.
Here are a few of the clips I watched tonight. I couldn’t find my favourite which was the 1994 Christmas Special, when a depressed acquaintance drops in and decides to commit suicide in the nude on the roof. Never mind I'll soon have the DVD!
Anyway here's a selection. The quality isn’t brilliant and I wish they wouldn't put that laughter on the them, but I hope you enjoy them. If you do there's more on You Tube! Alternatively you could buy the DVDs.
Dog Sitting Nippy
I cried with laughter at this one, couldn't stop. I kept thinking about Alan Alda and his wonderful book Never Have Your Dog Stuffed.
The Victor Meldrew Honda Song
This was an unbelievable script. The three of them spent the whole episode in a car, stuck in a traffic jam one Bank Holiday. It was unbelievable how funny it was.
The Skip
This is typical of what happens when you order a skip. Mind I've never had a car dumped in ours.
That is very funny. I have not seen this before, I would enjoy the show.
ReplyDeletepatsy
Ha! Those were funny. I want to read Alan Alda's books. Thanks for the remninder!
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot to tell you there is an award for you at my place.
ReplyDeleteAfter nine days; it's good to see a post from you. I was afraid that table project has done you in.
ReplyDeleteLove the You Tubes. That's a great program and lots of laughs.
Our local PBS station used to play "One Foot in the Grave" every Saturday night, I loved it !
ReplyDeleteThey must have run out of episodes, because I haven't seen it in a long time, now it's re-runs of " Keeping Up Appearances", over and over.
I love the programmes too Winifred. I remember being helpless with laughter at the "Honda Song" one. Great stuff. A x
ReplyDeleteThose were so funny. I don't remember seeing them before.
ReplyDeleteBrenda - I've only read the first one but it is a lovely book. He's a very unusual "star", quite modest but very honest. His story has sadness and laughter, a worthwhile read.
ReplyDeleteThere's a strange thing about him I don't understand. He lost his faith in his twenties, before that he was quite a religious person. Yet there have been numerous occasions when he was lucky? not to die. Most people would think that someone up there was looking out for them but he firmly believes that when you die, that's it. Strange!
Frank and Cloody - You've missed me? I've been keeping up with other people's blogs but I've been trying to complete my self assessment tax form online and sitting at my extended table. It's still there. It's been a struggle but I'm nearly finished.
Last year I promised myself I wouldn't procrastinate and would do it early in the tax year. Guess what? I didn't!
I can't wait for that series to arrive. There's six series I think, as well as the Christmas Specials so I'll have lots of laughs. What I love about it is you keep thinking about it and laughing long after it's finished. Everyone at work used to watch it and we would go into work the next day and kill ourselves laughing about it.
I loved the Nippy clip. Thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDeleteI will be looking for this series, I love English humor. I will read Alan Alda's dog book. I think he is a great talent. I used to watch MASH religiously. Thanks again Winifred.
ReplyDeleteNippy?! Very amusing, thanks.
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