Richard Briers became a household name with viewers as likeable self sufficiency fanatic Tom Good in the delightful 'The Good Life', written by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey. In 1977, they devised another show for Briers which has him cast as a much different character altogether - as lying braggart Ralph Tanner in 'The Other One', casting alongside him the wonderful Michael Gambon as shy and reserved Brian Bryant. Sadly, the change in character styles for Briers was too much for many viewers to handle and consequently 'The Other One' did not find the audience it deserved. A great pity in my opinion as 'The Other One' was an excellent piece of work, far more deserving of recognition than some drivel that's out there now ( i.e anything that has Ricky Gervais in it! ).
'The Other One' starts off like this - divorcee Brian Bryant is flying to Spain for a package holiday and in the airport bar strikes up a conversation with Ralph Tanner, who claims to have been everywhere, done everything and has bought the T-shirt to prove it, whereas in reality he is little more than a big headed, lying fantasist. Brian is fascinated by Ralph's confidence whereas Ralph finds Brian about as interesting as watching paint dry. Ralph classes himself as a 'lone wolf', which is true as none of the other wolves in the pack want to run with him!
Ralph has no friends and so therefore values any kind of friendship, no matter who the person is and so latches onto Brian throughout the course of their holiday. The second series sees the two back on terra firma after their holiday, where Ralph trains Brian as a sales rep.
This is my favourite Esmonde/Larbey & Briers show, partly for its occassional foray into darker areas but mostly because of the chemistry between the two leads. Both men evoke sympathy, Ralph because he is lonely and friendless and Brian because he is so well meaning but lacking in self confidence. Brian later susses out Ralph but still accepts him as a friend and even manages to get him to own up that he is not who he says he is. In the final episode, Ralph's eagerness to portray himself as something he isn't becomes abundantly clear. He is ashamed of his family ( and when you see them, can you blame him? ).
Both series were as good as each other and should have been a hit but sadly it was not and that was it for 'The Other One'. Richard Briers later regarded it as one of the points of his career that best ought to have been forgotten.
The first series was made available on DVD by Metrodome in 2007 but the poor sales ensured that the second series would not follow suit, a great pity.
'The Other One' starts off like this - divorcee Brian Bryant is flying to Spain for a package holiday and in the airport bar strikes up a conversation with Ralph Tanner, who claims to have been everywhere, done everything and has bought the T-shirt to prove it, whereas in reality he is little more than a big headed, lying fantasist. Brian is fascinated by Ralph's confidence whereas Ralph finds Brian about as interesting as watching paint dry. Ralph classes himself as a 'lone wolf', which is true as none of the other wolves in the pack want to run with him!
Ralph has no friends and so therefore values any kind of friendship, no matter who the person is and so latches onto Brian throughout the course of their holiday. The second series sees the two back on terra firma after their holiday, where Ralph trains Brian as a sales rep.
This is my favourite Esmonde/Larbey & Briers show, partly for its occassional foray into darker areas but mostly because of the chemistry between the two leads. Both men evoke sympathy, Ralph because he is lonely and friendless and Brian because he is so well meaning but lacking in self confidence. Brian later susses out Ralph but still accepts him as a friend and even manages to get him to own up that he is not who he says he is. In the final episode, Ralph's eagerness to portray himself as something he isn't becomes abundantly clear. He is ashamed of his family ( and when you see them, can you blame him? ).
Both series were as good as each other and should have been a hit but sadly it was not and that was it for 'The Other One'. Richard Briers later regarded it as one of the points of his career that best ought to have been forgotten.
The first series was made available on DVD by Metrodome in 2007 but the poor sales ensured that the second series would not follow suit, a great pity.