Series 8 Episode 9
Whilst at the barbers, Arthur reminisces with friends about old entertainment acts, recalling a ventriloquist act, Tommy Pickford and Mystic Mickey. Ray is playing pool and drinking with a friend Barry, in his club. Barry offers Ray a business opportunity, supplying 'in pub entertainment', especially karaoke machines. Later Arthur asks Ray what he does for evening entertainment. Ray mentions he is going to a karaoke night. That evening Ray takes Gloria to the karaoke. Arthur arrives and is impressed at how busy it is. Next day Arthur tries to sell the idea of a karaoke night at the Winchester to Dave, who declines. Arthur asks a friend, Monty, to find Tommy Pickford.
Arthur sets up a karaoke night at the Rose and Crown pub run by Dermot. He rents karaoke equipment from Mrs Gabadini. Arthur and Monty go see Tommy Pickford and, though he's unsure, convince him to perform his act again at the karaoke night. Tommy is nervous before his performance, the crowd don't react and he is heckled but his humorous response wins the crowd over. Gloria tells Ray she has doubts about Barry, but Ray defends him and his self-made success.
Due to his success Arthur tells Tommy he has a regular gig. Ray's attempts to rent out entertainment machines don't go well. At Barry's club he and his employee, Trevor, notice they are light on customers. Tommy complains of feeling unwell after another performance and is taken home.
Arthur sees Mystic Mickey's box has been left behind. He takes it back to the lock-up and sits talking with Mystic Mickey, reflecting on getting older. Monty tells Arthur that Tommy can't perform every night so they (unsuccessfully) hold auditions for new acts.
Leaving the auditions, Arthur and Ray discover their van has been broken into and their karaoke machine has been stolen. Ray tells Arthur they are worth £10,000, money Arthur doesn't have. Dave then tells Arthur that Mrs Gabadini will be attending that evenings karaoke night. Ray goes to Barry to rent a karaoke machine. Barry refuses as his business has been affected by Arthur's competing karaoke nights. Ray promises that he will end Arthur's karaoke evenings if Barry will rent him a machine. Plus, Ray will owe Barry a favour. Barry agrees.
Mrs Gabadini attends the karaoke evening. She joins Arthur and Tommy for a drink and wonders where her karaoke machine is, noting Arthur used a different model. Arthur claims hers had a small fault. Mrs Gabadini insists Arthur bring it to her on Friday for repair, unless there is a reason he can't. Barry calls in his favour with Ray, transporting equipment to Luton with Trevor. Arthur worries where he will get £10,000 for a karaoke machine. As Ray and Trevor prepare to travel to Luton, Ray begins to suspect Barry and Trevor of the robbery. He confronts Barry, discovering Mrs Gabadini's karaoke machine in Barry's office. Ray plays it cool, telling Barry he wants them to sell the machine and split the profit. He even knows of a buyer.
Ray, Barry and Trevor are about to leave with the machine but Gloria arrives and confronts Ray about their relationship. Ray hasn't time to talk and Gloria storms off. Ray drives to Mrs Gabadini's.
Barry tries to sell her her own karaoke machine. Arthur steps out of her office and says her machine is returned as promised. Arthur and Ray leave. Barry and Trevor attempt to follow but Mrs Gabadini's sons stop them.
Arthur ends his karaoke evenings. Tommy says it is for the best, but is thankful for one last chance. In the barbers, Arthur reflects on the experience.
Whilst at the barbers, Arthur reminisces with friends about old entertainment acts, recalling a ventriloquist act, Tommy Pickford and Mystic Mickey. Ray is playing pool and drinking with a friend Barry, in his club. Barry offers Ray a business opportunity, supplying 'in pub entertainment', especially karaoke machines. Later Arthur asks Ray what he does for evening entertainment. Ray mentions he is going to a karaoke night. That evening Ray takes Gloria to the karaoke. Arthur arrives and is impressed at how busy it is. Next day Arthur tries to sell the idea of a karaoke night at the Winchester to Dave, who declines. Arthur asks a friend, Monty, to find Tommy Pickford.
Arthur sets up a karaoke night at the Rose and Crown pub run by Dermot. He rents karaoke equipment from Mrs Gabadini. Arthur and Monty go see Tommy Pickford and, though he's unsure, convince him to perform his act again at the karaoke night. Tommy is nervous before his performance, the crowd don't react and he is heckled but his humorous response wins the crowd over. Gloria tells Ray she has doubts about Barry, but Ray defends him and his self-made success.
Due to his success Arthur tells Tommy he has a regular gig. Ray's attempts to rent out entertainment machines don't go well. At Barry's club he and his employee, Trevor, notice they are light on customers. Tommy complains of feeling unwell after another performance and is taken home.
Arthur sees Mystic Mickey's box has been left behind. He takes it back to the lock-up and sits talking with Mystic Mickey, reflecting on getting older. Monty tells Arthur that Tommy can't perform every night so they (unsuccessfully) hold auditions for new acts.
Leaving the auditions, Arthur and Ray discover their van has been broken into and their karaoke machine has been stolen. Ray tells Arthur they are worth £10,000, money Arthur doesn't have. Dave then tells Arthur that Mrs Gabadini will be attending that evenings karaoke night. Ray goes to Barry to rent a karaoke machine. Barry refuses as his business has been affected by Arthur's competing karaoke nights. Ray promises that he will end Arthur's karaoke evenings if Barry will rent him a machine. Plus, Ray will owe Barry a favour. Barry agrees.
Mrs Gabadini attends the karaoke evening. She joins Arthur and Tommy for a drink and wonders where her karaoke machine is, noting Arthur used a different model. Arthur claims hers had a small fault. Mrs Gabadini insists Arthur bring it to her on Friday for repair, unless there is a reason he can't. Barry calls in his favour with Ray, transporting equipment to Luton with Trevor. Arthur worries where he will get £10,000 for a karaoke machine. As Ray and Trevor prepare to travel to Luton, Ray begins to suspect Barry and Trevor of the robbery. He confronts Barry, discovering Mrs Gabadini's karaoke machine in Barry's office. Ray plays it cool, telling Barry he wants them to sell the machine and split the profit. He even knows of a buyer.
Ray, Barry and Trevor are about to leave with the machine but Gloria arrives and confronts Ray about their relationship. Ray hasn't time to talk and Gloria storms off. Ray drives to Mrs Gabadini's.
Barry tries to sell her her own karaoke machine. Arthur steps out of her office and says her machine is returned as promised. Arthur and Ray leave. Barry and Trevor attempt to follow but Mrs Gabadini's sons stop them.
Arthur ends his karaoke evenings. Tommy says it is for the best, but is thankful for one last chance. In the barbers, Arthur reflects on the experience.