Oh dear! I watched this with an open mind, and there aren't may comedies I can't see the good in, but I barely smiled all the way through... what a let down. 
To the Manor Born is Returning! Page 2
I really enjoyed the whole show. Lovely writing, great acting and for the first time in ages I didn't feel I was watching a show recorded in front of an audience force fed laughing gas!
I'd love the BBC to commission a series, say six episodes a year.
Congratulations to Peter Spence and Christopher Bond.
I think it's fantastic when someone else can really laugh at something I don't find very funny... Isn't comedy wonderful? 
So glad you enjoyed it Mannikin Bird.
Quote: Rustle T Davis @ December 26, 2007, 6:34 PMI think it's fantastic when someone else can really laugh at something I don't find very funny... Isn't comedy wonderful?
There's hope for me then.
No David. There's no hope for you.
Quote: Aaron @ December 26, 2007, 8:45 PMNo David. There's no hope for you.
OK then. Bye!
I enjoyed it. I suppose the target audience is middle aged and above, but I'm 18 and thought it was just as good as the original series. It didn't look tired or irrelevent like when Dibley came back (2004) or As Time Goes By, or Only Fools. Having the first half hour in flashback was interesting too.
The plot was rather clever too. The original series was about getting Richard and Audrey together - this one was about them getting BACK together. And Margery couldn't really say "ohhh gosh" and swoon over Richard as it wouldn't be right now, but her being keen on Alexander Armstrong's character Adam provided her to do this.
Also, name-checking Rock festivals, Big Brother and Arctic Monkeys and actually going to a club was a good way of updating it. The way Brabinger was written out was funny and also the scene with Richard by Mrs Poo's grave when his mobile rang was very amusing. Some nice farcial touches with Audrey hiding under the stairs with the badger was quite nice - it didn't have all day to build up high-energy farce, so a quick five minute bit like that was well done. And I found Emeridge funny - or rather, his insobordination and DeVere's shock. Plus, a nice bit of slapstick when they fell into the river (the same river, incidentally, when they played "pooh sticks" in the second episode back in '79).
I know it hasn't really been 25 years since they were married - it's 26 - but the episode was set in October, not on Christmas Day, so they can do what they like, really.
Also, the opening credits served as a reminder to original series.
Having the rock festival on the estate was a good plot too.
Some cracking lines like, "I've left Richard and the party's off"/"Oh, Aud, that's wonderful!"
I laughed a fair few times - maybe ten. Amazing since I never did at After You've Gone. A sitcom which started nearly 30 years ago is more funnier than one which started last February.
Also, a nice ending with the party and the new dog - like Bertie. Intrestingly, the last shot saw everyone on the stairs. Exactly the same as the closing shot of the last episode twenty six years ago.
Three and a half/Maybe four stars out of five.
Well you're obviously an afficianado. I've only seen a few episodes. Like maybe 3 at the most.
Well that one's shocked me. Dave, who normally hates everything, loved something which I - who normally loves everything - felt really let down by and picked apart on numerous levels.
The Big Brother thing annoyed me also. Yes, the references were very funny, but as far as I'm aware it's never been on in October.
I watched this show very funny.
Quote: Aaron @ December 27, 2007, 8:33 AMThe Big Brother thing annoyed me also. Yes, the references were very funny, but as far as I'm aware it's never been on in October.
Only a nerd would have noticed that - oh - and Aaron.
Saw about twenty minutes of it. It's aimed at the mainstream Green Green Grass/My Family/My Hero/After You've Gone/Last Of The Summer Wine audience which somehow seems to watch these shows in their droves. I can't begin to understand why. None of them are anywhere near sharp enough for me.
Quote: David H @ December 27, 2007, 3:43 PMSaw about twenty minutes of it. It's aimed at the mainstream Green Green Grass/My Family/My Hero/After You've Gone/Last Of The Summer Wine audience which somehow seems to watch these shows in their droves. I can't begin to understand why. None of them are anywhere near sharp enough for me.
Maybe not but if we want to "make-it" in this industry we've got to start writing like this.
Quote: Dave @ December 27, 2007, 12:03 AMI enjoyed it. I suppose the target audience is middle aged and above, but I'm 18 and thought it was just as good as the original series. It didn't look tired or irrelevent like when Dibley came back (2004) or As Time Goes By, or Only Fools. Having the first half hour in flashback was interesting too.
Well I'm middle-aged so maybe the target audience but I wasn't impressed.
Quote: Dave @ December 27, 2007, 12:03 AMAlso, name-checking Rock festivals, Big Brother and Arctic Monkeys and actually going to a club was a good way of updating it.
Having the rock festival on the estate was a good plot too.
Some cracking lines like, "I've left Richard and the party's off"/"Oh, Aud, that's wonderful!"
I'd have thought most people your age would find that lame and patronising.
Quote: Dave @ December 27, 2007, 12:03 AMI enjoyed it. I suppose the target audience is middle aged and above, but I'm 18 and thought it was just as good as the original series.
I know it hasn't really been 25 years since they were married - it's 26 - but the episode was set in October, not on Christmas Day, so they can do what they like, really.
Also, the opening credits served as a reminder to original series.
Also, a nice ending with the party and the new dog - like Bertie. Intrestingly, the last shot saw everyone on the stairs. Exactly the same as the closing shot of the last episode twenty six years ago.
Three and a half/Maybe four stars out of five.
How do you remember this if you're 18? Maybe you've got the video's or DVD's but still ....
Quote: David Chapman @ December 27, 2007, 3:37 PMOnly a nerd would have noticed that - oh - and Aaron.
Guilty as charged.
Quote: David Chapman @ December 27, 2007, 4:07 PMMaybe not but if we want to "make-it" in this industry we've got to start writing like this.
Good Lord. A writer talking sense for once. Spread this wisdom, Dave. God knows they need it.
Quote: David Chapman @ December 27, 2007, 4:07 PMI'd have thought most people your age would find that lame and patronising.
I think anyone watching would be the kind of person who isn't "into" that kind of thing.
Quote: David Chapman @ December 27, 2007, 4:07 PMHow do you remember this if you're 18? Maybe you've got the video's or DVD's but still ....
Well I'm only two years older, and I 'remember' it. 
Quote: Aaron @ December 27, 2007, 4:15 PMWell I'm only two years older, and I 'remember' it.
What - how the last episode ended?