A Fine Romance

ilovewallander · 01/08/15 - 17:28

Drama will be starting repeats of this 80s sitcom, starring Judi Dench and Michael Williams, from the 10th August. I've been waiting years to see this again so it's welcome news! I've only recently bought the first series on dvd not expecting a repeat, but never mind

Hopefully we will be getting all four series.

J.R · 01/08/15 - 19:04

Just saw the ad. and clips earlier today but I missed the start date so thanks for the tip. I shall be looking forward to it. I wonder why it has taken so long for them to show it.

Music Lover One · 01/08/15 - 19:04

I love this programme and I have DVD of the complete series of it. I'll still watch it when it is shown on tv

Flukie · 01/08/15 - 20:21

I bought the whole series on DVD a few years ago.

A complete joy.

I love the episode when Mike takes Laura to the dentist. lol

Though I do have the DVD's I'll still record the series to watch the episodes again.

PhilH36 · 01/08/15 - 20:36

I recorded them all on VHS back in the day. Have the complete set on dvd now. Still one of my favourite shows, not least because I had a huge crush on Susan Penhaligon when I was younger! Wrote to her agent asking for va signed photo and got one back in the post a couple of months later. Still got it somewhere.

Poppy99_Poppy · 01/08/15 - 22:03

Love this show. They had such chemistry, but that was hardly suprising.

Michael_Eve · 01/08/15 - 22:50

Terrific series. Really liked it as a youngster; especially the Michael Williams character. As a rather shy young kid, the awkward and a bit short character I could really identify with! (helped that he was called Mike.) liked it so much at the time...I even bought the book. Shame I lost it somewhere down the line; it was unsurprisingly very well written.

Got the first two series on DVD and it holds up, I think. Dench and Williams are a joy together.

cavalli · 02/08/15 - 00:59

Thanks for another great heads up, ilw

I was just a small child when this was first shown so most of it was lost on me but the cosy, safe, middle classness of it evoked a sense of reassuring warmth. Those feelings came flooding back when I rewatched every episode a couple of years ago, some thirty years later.

Probably my favourite ever opening credits too, sung by Dench of course.

koantemplation · 10/08/15 - 13:45

Cor, a nice start. What with Susan Penhaligon in a bra and panties.

And now an 80s jumpsuit.

Grouty · 10/08/15 - 13:55

Im recording this after Goodnight Sweetheart, enjoyed it when first saw it, which was quite a while ago now.

Tangledweb7 · 10/08/15 - 13:59

I love this show, especially Mike he was such a lovely character. Every time my mug gets stuck to a coaster I think of him.:D
Have it all on DVD as well must get the book now.;-)

suesuesue · 10/08/15 - 20:20

Only vaguely remembered this but then I think it was 1980 if I read he Roman numerals at the end correctly

anyway thoroughly enjoyed my recording today and have the series link set. Smiled at the opening shot of ms penhaligon in her Janet reger. Wonder if they'd try such a gratuitous opening scene now?

koantemplation · 10/08/15 - 20:21

suesuesue wrote: »

Only vaguely remembered this but then I think it was 1980 if I read he Roman numerals at the end correctly anyway thoroughly enjoyed my recording today and have the series link set. Smiled at the opening shot of ms penhaligon in her Janet reger. Wonder if they'd try such a gratuitous opening scene now?

Yes 1980 / 81 for the first series.

ChrissieAO · 10/08/15 - 22:41

ilovewallander wrote: »

Drama will be starting repeats of this 80s sitcom, starring Judi Dench and Michael Williams, from the 10th August. I've been waiting years to see this again so it's welcome news! I've only recently bought the first series on dvd not expecting a repeat, but never mind Hopefully we will be getting all four series.

Thanks for that info...I used to love this series and really enjoyed watching the first episode again and have the rest on record!

eye3 · 18/08/15 - 12:49

I loved this back in the 80s and enjoying it again 30 odd years later! I'd forgotten it was Richard Warwick as the brother in law. He sadly died from aids.
LWT produced some excellent comedies. I would love to see again
Please Sir
Agony
No Honestly
Yes Honestly
Billy Liar
Hark at Barker
Maggie and Her
Twos Company
Plus Russ Abbott and Stanley Baxter Shows

bloodynora · 18/08/15 - 18:41

Does anyone remember a series called September Song that Michael Williams did with Russ Abbott in the early 90's? I don't think it has ever been repeated!

Blueju · 18/08/15 - 19:28

bloodynora wrote: »

Does anyone remember a series called September Song that Michael Williams did with Russ Abbott in the early 90's? I don't think it has ever been repeated!

I remember it....was different seeing Russ Abbot in a straight acting role. Heres a clip for info...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjix6y-S-Lo

miss buzzybee · 19/08/15 - 18:23

Watching on Drama forgot how in the early 80's main colour scheme seemed to be grey and beige.

mark_beach · 19/08/15 - 18:44

Flukie wrote: »

I bought the whole series on DVD a few years ago.
A complete joy.
I love the episode when Mike takes Laura to the dentist. lol
Though I do have the DVD's I'll still record the series to watch the episodes again.

I went looking for this & looky here

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzde1bl4vWY

ChrissieAO · 19/08/15 - 23:50

I am so enjoying watching this series again after so many years...it really is a delight and Judi Dench and Michael Williams play their parts to perfection....

Faust · 21/08/15 - 11:41

I too love this show - watched it all the first time around. Slightly off topic but one show I did like at the time and I've never seen repeated was 'Dear John'.

Andy2 · 21/08/15 - 12:03

We loved this when it first started. Series 1 was absolutely brilliant. I thought it went off later on.

cavalli · 21/08/15 - 12:21

Laura's brother in law is kind of annoying, he literally runs from room to room, every movement has a bizarre sense of urgency, nothing natural about him at all.

Was he more of a stage actor?

DavidJ28 · 21/08/15 - 13:38

eye3 wrote: »

I loved this back in the 80s and enjoying it again 30 odd years later! I'd forgotten it was Richard Warwick as the brother in law. He sadly died from aids.
LWT produced some excellent comedies. I would love to see again
Please Sir
Agony
No Honestly
Yes Honestly
Billy Liar
Hark at Barker
Maggie and Her
Twos Company
Plus Russ Abbott and Stanley Baxter Shows

Thanks for that eye3, I had no idea Richard Warwick had died. Only 52, so young. He just always seemed like one of those actors who would pop up as a guest star in Midsummer Murders or something, still working away.

Gulftastic · 21/08/15 - 14:40

People (including me) often say that ITV rarely produced a true 'calssic' in the sitcom genre. 'Rising Damp' is cited as their one winner.

ITV did, however, produce some very, very good sitcoms, 'Fine Romance' being a prime example. Two great leads, playing off each other brilliantly.

And, it's one of the few shows I remember watching with my Mum and both of us laughing our heads off.

Tookah · 01/09/15 - 16:40

I've caught a few episodes of this over the last few weeks. I think I might buy the box set. I didn't realise Bob Larbey wrote it, the same guy who wrote The Good Life and As Time Goes By, two of my favourite sitcoms.

Hey there!

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A Fine Romance

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