A few years ago, an ITV programme about black entertainers ( narrated by Craig Charles ) lumped in the sitcom 'Mixed Blessings' with the likes of 'Love Thy Neighbour' as an example of 'unacceptable' racist comedy. Which was strange. Back in the day ( 1978 - 1980 ), Sid Green's sitcom earned praise for dealing with the race issue in a more subtle way than had been the case with Vince Powell and Harry Driver's show. There was no name calling, for one thing. 'Thomas Simpson' ( the late Christopher Blake ) marries 'Susan Lambert' ( the late Muriel Odunton ). He is white and she is black. How to explain this to their parents?
Edward and Annie Simpson ( George Waring and Sylvia Kay ) are not happy with the situation, but we are spared any bad-tempered fireworks. Luckily, Thomas' aunt 'Dorothy' ( Joan Sanderson ) is fairly liberal-minded, and soon things settle down. Edward tells Susan "if Tom loves you, then we love you too!". His comment earns him a kiss. Next up is a visit to Susan's parents - 'William and Matilda' ( Carmen Munroe and Stefan Kalipha ) are they are equally aghast at the thought of their children entering into a mixed marriage.
Gregory Munro, who plays 'Winston', Susan's brother, was the real-life son of Carmen Munroe ( although he spelt his surname differently ).
Sid Green's script is funny, the cast are good and the show was sold to The West Indies. I can only assume its inclusion in the ITV programme about black entertainers was down to lazy journalism. No-one was offended by it at the time and I cannot imagine anyone being offended by it now. Not unless they want to be.
Funniest moment - the Simpson and Lambert families are introduced to each other. Realising they are unintentionally segregated, they change positions, and become segregated a second time!
Edward and Annie Simpson ( George Waring and Sylvia Kay ) are not happy with the situation, but we are spared any bad-tempered fireworks. Luckily, Thomas' aunt 'Dorothy' ( Joan Sanderson ) is fairly liberal-minded, and soon things settle down. Edward tells Susan "if Tom loves you, then we love you too!". His comment earns him a kiss. Next up is a visit to Susan's parents - 'William and Matilda' ( Carmen Munroe and Stefan Kalipha ) are they are equally aghast at the thought of their children entering into a mixed marriage.
Gregory Munro, who plays 'Winston', Susan's brother, was the real-life son of Carmen Munroe ( although he spelt his surname differently ).
Sid Green's script is funny, the cast are good and the show was sold to The West Indies. I can only assume its inclusion in the ITV programme about black entertainers was down to lazy journalism. No-one was offended by it at the time and I cannot imagine anyone being offended by it now. Not unless they want to be.
Funniest moment - the Simpson and Lambert families are introduced to each other. Realising they are unintentionally segregated, they change positions, and become segregated a second time!