Goodnight Sweetheart was a clever idea and the original series was great fun. The writing was excellent, the acting likewise and the overall atmosphere created as Gary Sparrow shifted from the 1940s to the 1990s really well handled. It was a shame when it came to an end. That it was to be revisited 17 years after its end filled me with both dread and anticipation; would it be as good as the original or would it be the usual dire modern take on an old classic ?
Thankfully, and unlike most revivals, this one really works. With the original writers and cast in place, Gary's rediscovery of his time travelling abilities through an encounter with his new-born self kicks off a new adventure which is full of great humour. Gary's bemusement when he first encounters a modern day street scene is palpable and the discovery that he has a daughter suggests all manor of possible future story lines. Might his son from the past meet his daughter from the present, for instance ? Perhaps they might have inherited his time travelling powers with who knows what results.
Sadly, it seems that we are unlikely to ever see the possibilities developed as the BBC, quite unaccountably in my view, has chosen not to pursue the offer of a new series but has, instead, opted for follow ups to Porridge and Open All Hours, both of which were brilliant as originals but pretty dire in their modern incarnations.
This revival of Goodnight Sweetheart is in an altogether different league and I found myself laughing out loud at the oh-so welcome good clean humour, beautifully presented. Great stuff and truly deserving of a new series.
Thankfully, and unlike most revivals, this one really works. With the original writers and cast in place, Gary's rediscovery of his time travelling abilities through an encounter with his new-born self kicks off a new adventure which is full of great humour. Gary's bemusement when he first encounters a modern day street scene is palpable and the discovery that he has a daughter suggests all manor of possible future story lines. Might his son from the past meet his daughter from the present, for instance ? Perhaps they might have inherited his time travelling powers with who knows what results.
Sadly, it seems that we are unlikely to ever see the possibilities developed as the BBC, quite unaccountably in my view, has chosen not to pursue the offer of a new series but has, instead, opted for follow ups to Porridge and Open All Hours, both of which were brilliant as originals but pretty dire in their modern incarnations.
This revival of Goodnight Sweetheart is in an altogether different league and I found myself laughing out loud at the oh-so welcome good clean humour, beautifully presented. Great stuff and truly deserving of a new series.
