We are starting tonight with the third instalment of the first series of Big Deal (BBC1, 1984). Ray Brooks plays the old cheeky chappie role very well, as we have seen in the past, but when he’s playing cards Robbie Box shows a steely determination, perhaps even a ruthless streak, hinting peIrhaps at some darker moments in store for later in the series. But for now we’re enjoying getting to know Robbie and co. and were pleased to see him make things up with Jan (Sharon Duce) at the end of last week’s brutal storyline. Big Deal is grit and diamonds in equal measure, and I’m really glad that I have finally given way to ten years of heavy hints from the lads to screen it.
Next, a look ahead to a forthcoming attraction!
A surprise double bill from Beat Club (ZDF, 1971)
I promised you “banned”, and here is something which was quite spectacularly banned. ITV won’t even release it on DVD, even after all these years!
Episode 3 of Hardwicke House (Central TV, 1987), and the four that followed, were pulled from the schedules in 1987 following public outcry, and now, thanks to an anonymous benefactor, we can get to see what all the fuss was about. If it was ever laugh-out loud (I don’t think it was) it isn’t now, but Hardwicke House is a very interesting and progressive piece of television which shows how far our attitudes have come in those 32 short years. One interesting observation we made was that, had this episode gone out as scheduled, it would apparently have featured a hugely derisory joke about lesbians featuring the word ‘tits’ – at five past eight in the evening. Further evidence that Hardwicke House’s primetime scheduling guaranteed its downfall.
Next, a little diversion from The Channel Archive, a little outpost of ITV which is turning up some amazing archive finds. Here’s a 1980s advert for a local bakery. The spectre of our old friend Major Benest hangs over the whole thing like a dense fog.
More from the Crown Court (Granada, 1972-1984) next. It’s such a shame that there isn’t an outlet for electrifying studio drama like this any more. If television cared enough about nurturing talent enough to have a regular weekly slot like it did back in the era of Play For Today, they would be much better breaks out there for aspiring writers and actors. These days budding writers might be lucky enough to get an episode of EastEnders and not much more.
Unfortunately the story we’re watching isn’t on Youtube, so here in its place is a full story we watched once before.
Lastly this week we’re heading back to Portmeirion – where the three of us were ten years ago this very week – in ITV Cymru’s delightful 6-part documentary The Village.
Watch here: https://www.itv.com/walesprogrammes/the-village-episode-3
Oh, tonight’s dinner? Roast gammon baps with dirty fries.
