Watching

Emma Wray was brilliant in Watching, shame she didn't do more TV but apparently she's considering coming back to acting if she's offered the right part. x

This is a sitcom I fondly remember from my teenage years, which I haven't seen for ages. Apparently Series 1 is released on DVD this month, and I'm itching to get a copy of it. I've no idea if it will still look any good, but it was full of great characters and wit, and it will be good to see it again.

Brenda and Malcolm's rocky relationship caught my imagination, mainly because I identified with Malcolm due to my geeky hobbies. :) Emma Wray was brash and loud but ultimately very likable, and Liza Tarbuck was great as Pamela. The whole thing was about relationships, and was positive, witty and ultimately charming without being overly twee or soppy.

One of those things I'm very sentimental about.

Great series but when is it going to be available on DVD? We watched this when it first screened in New Zealand, recorded it and have watched it several times since. Unfortunately our younger son is deaf and we also have a deaf boarder and thus they are not getting the full benefits of being able to read the subtitles on a DVD. I've searched high and low for this but without success. As I've already said great series, well written and well acted by all. Even down to the café (for want of a better word) owner where Brenda worked. We have subsequently seen Malcolm's boss from the department store in "Game On' which was another great series. Also Malcolm's mother as Queeny's nurse maid in Blackadder. What can I say, yet another great British series. There is no substitute or equivalent for British comedy and still they are being produced, such as 'Green Wing'. Risqué but very funny and extremely well produced. Long may they continue.

I really only started watching Watching out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised at just how good the quality is for what seems like an almost forgotten show. The writing, acting and plenty of location work for a sitcom is all top notch. All episodes were written by Jim Hitchmough.

The series follows shy bird watcher and vintage motorcycle enthusiast Malcolm and the fiery loud-mouthed Brenda who despite being quite different fall for each other and get into all sorts of hilarious escapades.

Also featured are Malcolm's domineering mother who mostly disapproves of Brenda, and Pamela, Brenda's older sister, who starts a relationship with David, also often at odds with Brenda.

The star of the show was really Emma Wray (Brenda) who had brilliant timing, excellent delivery of her lines and stole most of the scenes she was in.

A lot of changes were made during the fifth series and it lost some of the charm that made the show so good originally but the characters develop and it is still a good watch.

It's a pity this sitcom seems so forgotten now as I'd say it's on par with the likes of Only Fools and Horses, Just Good Friends or As Time Goes By.

I can remember watching this when it first came out late 80's early 90's and thought it was funny

I waited for years for box set to come out and boy was it worth the wait. Much funnier than I can remember. Not only is it funny but it is consistently funny throughout the full 7 season.

It is the story of a shy birdwatcher, smothered by his mother, Malcolm and a street wise cracking, ball of dynamite Brenda and their of on off relationship throughout the years. The writing is fantastic, brilliant observational comedy by the wonderful Jim Hitchmough

Over the series the characters are well developed, lovable and realistic. there is a tremendous supporting cast, Liza Tarbuck, Patsy Byrne (nursey in Blackadder) John Bowler and the delightful Elizabeth Spriggs. There are regular characters who appear in the pub and cafe including the short sighted barman Harold and the wonderful deadpan Oswald, played with expert craft by Dave Dutton.

There are many moments of genuine laugh out loud comedy mainly from the acid tongued Brenda, with her witty one liners and put downs. There is however a genuine warmth with the characters and plenty of tugging at heart strings moments, especially in the Episode SLIPPING. It never gets overly sentimental though

Good comedy is all about the writing and the ability of the actors to deliver the lines they are given. The comedy timing of the actors is spot on, particularly Brenda and Oswald. It is one of the few comedy sitcoms that relies entirely on the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Good family fun for everyone with no swearing or smuttty jokes, they are not needed

In seasons 5-7 Brendas mother is introduced and if I thought Brenda was hilarious, her mother takes it to a whole new level. Scatterbrained does not even come close

It is also good to look back maybe with embarrassment at some of the fashions of the time, which is maybe the only thing that dates the programme

This was ITV longest running sitcom, so why it is never repeated is beyond me, and in UK we are lumbered with constant repeats of the same old same old sitcoms again and again

Do yourself a favour, buy this on DVD you will not be disappointed.