This show has long been one of my son Jamie's absolute favourite TV comedy shows, while I have constantly dismissed it without giving it a first let alone second chance.
I finally decided that perhaps I hadn't given it a fair shot, having simply discarded it after the merest glimps.
I have now watched every episode of the show from series 3 to series 7, and the special seasonal episodes.
Possibly because I am getting much older I found myself taking more initial notice of, the two people working in the office of the security equipment firm. Although I am still older at 73 than George and Anthea, I am still much nearer both their ages and general temperament, than Gary, Tony, Dorothy and Deborah.
While I imagine that my son being nearer to the age and possible temperament off the younger members, could have something to do with why he relates to them rather than to George and Anthea.
The main problem that I previously had towards this show is the general manic behaviour of the two young blokes, principally to Tony though somewhat less to Gary.
Having now watched so many episodes I would say that Gary having a regular job makes some difference, as he has to somehow try and balance his natural exuberance with managing to remain employable. He is in many ways a typical bloke that struggles, with any consideration of having to grow up and settle down.
Tony on the other hand remains as my son, so aptly describes him "like a toddler with special needs".
Though ironically even he manages to eventually morph into a totally different personality, when he two finally succumbs to the world of work.
Dorothy is she would like to suppose much more together than Gary, and an all round better human being.
She most definitely assumes that she could do much better, and probably feels annoyed with herself with her decision to settle for so little in a bloke.
Dorothy is to some extent the Ying to Tony's Yang, though they are not exactly the mirror opposites of one another.
Deborah is young and vivacious and anyone would, consider themselves especially lucky that she even knew that they existed. So why I have to ask myself does she settle into such an environment, why on earth would she decide to stay there especially after she gets to know them?
The actors for all of the shows characters seem to be perfect for their respective rolls, and both fit the parts like the proverbial glove. But they also bring their parts to life as believable fully rounded people, that you could easily imagine knowing in your own lives.
I have seen Martin Clunes in so many differing roles now, and I think that possibly the earliest occasion was in a Harry Enfield TV show. Interestingly for me I found myself noticing for what felt like the first time his lug holes, quite why I hadn't noticed them before I can't now imagine.
Neil Morrissey is still someone I am yet to see in much else, but he fills his role of Tony to overflowing so I must keep an eye out for his other stuff.
Caroline Quentin I have only really seen to any extent in one other TV show Jonathan Creek, and she fills both the role of Madeleine and that of Dorothy perfectly.
Leslie Ash is an actress that I have not seen that much of, certainly no other TV comedy that I can recall.
The only other thing that I can remember seeing her in is the film Quadrophenia by the rock group The Who, where she plays an incredibly young woman Steph.
I finally decided that perhaps I hadn't given it a fair shot, having simply discarded it after the merest glimps.
I have now watched every episode of the show from series 3 to series 7, and the special seasonal episodes.
Possibly because I am getting much older I found myself taking more initial notice of, the two people working in the office of the security equipment firm. Although I am still older at 73 than George and Anthea, I am still much nearer both their ages and general temperament, than Gary, Tony, Dorothy and Deborah.
While I imagine that my son being nearer to the age and possible temperament off the younger members, could have something to do with why he relates to them rather than to George and Anthea.
The main problem that I previously had towards this show is the general manic behaviour of the two young blokes, principally to Tony though somewhat less to Gary.
Having now watched so many episodes I would say that Gary having a regular job makes some difference, as he has to somehow try and balance his natural exuberance with managing to remain employable. He is in many ways a typical bloke that struggles, with any consideration of having to grow up and settle down.
Tony on the other hand remains as my son, so aptly describes him "like a toddler with special needs".
Though ironically even he manages to eventually morph into a totally different personality, when he two finally succumbs to the world of work.
Dorothy is she would like to suppose much more together than Gary, and an all round better human being.
She most definitely assumes that she could do much better, and probably feels annoyed with herself with her decision to settle for so little in a bloke.
Dorothy is to some extent the Ying to Tony's Yang, though they are not exactly the mirror opposites of one another.
Deborah is young and vivacious and anyone would, consider themselves especially lucky that she even knew that they existed. So why I have to ask myself does she settle into such an environment, why on earth would she decide to stay there especially after she gets to know them?
The actors for all of the shows characters seem to be perfect for their respective rolls, and both fit the parts like the proverbial glove. But they also bring their parts to life as believable fully rounded people, that you could easily imagine knowing in your own lives.
I have seen Martin Clunes in so many differing roles now, and I think that possibly the earliest occasion was in a Harry Enfield TV show. Interestingly for me I found myself noticing for what felt like the first time his lug holes, quite why I hadn't noticed them before I can't now imagine.
Neil Morrissey is still someone I am yet to see in much else, but he fills his role of Tony to overflowing so I must keep an eye out for his other stuff.
Caroline Quentin I have only really seen to any extent in one other TV show Jonathan Creek, and she fills both the role of Madeleine and that of Dorothy perfectly.
Leslie Ash is an actress that I have not seen that much of, certainly no other TV comedy that I can recall.
The only other thing that I can remember seeing her in is the film Quadrophenia by the rock group The Who, where she plays an incredibly young woman Steph.