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Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

GLORIOUS TECHNICOLOUR rematch for heroes of scratchy 60s forerunner, both emanating from the knockabout nibs of DICK CLEMENT and IAN LA FRENAIS. The grouchy one (RODNEY “BASIL BRUSH” BEWES) and the cocky one (JAMES “ONLY WHEN I” BOLAM) get back together to find lives/landscape/loyalties all up-ended thanks to intervening years of permissiveness and “prices”. Revered, over-fondly, but still a masterclass in sitcom basics. Inevitable film spin-off adopted the inevitable premise of packing everyone off on the inevitable package holiday.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Glenn Aylett

    July 18, 2009 at 6:33 pm

    One of the greatest sitcoms ever made and still hilarious 36 years later. I have a DVD of the film, which was almost as good, and love watching the old episodes on You Tube. Of course, being a Geordie in exile in Cumbria you would expect me to like it.

  2. Lee James Turnock

    May 4, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    For the record, in the film version they went on a caravan holiday, not a package holiday.

    “I’d offer you a beer, Bob, but I’ve only got six cans.”

  3. Richard Davies

    September 24, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    When this was repeated in the 1990s my parents were amused that Bob looked more a fasion victim than Terry.

    The first house my parents owned looked a bit like Bob’s, judging by some photos we’ve got.

  4. Glenn Aylett

    March 1, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    Same as Terry’s flat in Gateshead was actually in a tower block in Wallsend, a row of three high rises that overlooked the Coast Road that were demolished 22 years ago due to vandalism, damp, lift failures and being popular for suicides. I suppose had this film been made 15 years later Terry would probably looking forward to finding a terraced house like the good old days.

  5. Glenn A

    November 25, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    RIP Rodney Bewes, this show was comedy gold and Bob and Terry are my favourite comedy characters of all time. Now can BBC One RB a send off he deserves.

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