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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 424306" data-attributes="member: 23">Six years after watching ITAWM, I'm cracking open the other PeterTilbury series: <img src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71wlzsVXcVL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="width: 621px" />When it comes to Shelley, my memories are fairly minimal. I remember Hywel Bennett and his hangdog face (I found him rather dishy when I was young, less so today). More vaguely I remember him working in advertising, and I think I'm misremembering him talking to a puppet of some kind (confusing it, I think with the bloke from Keep It In The Family who worked in the same field). I remember the title font and the way it wrote itself over the opening scene and ad breaks. Above all else  I have never been able to shake Ron Grainer's* very whistleable earworm of a theme tune.I remember watching this fairly regularly. I don't remember if I watched entire episodes, but I know it was part of the fabric of my childhood at times. At a guess it would be the later episodes of the first run, circa 1983-4. Perhaps even repeats after this time. Watching it now, there doesn't seem a great deal that would attract a primary school aged child (much like The Gaffer). But what do I know? It entertained me then, even though I'm sure I'm finding different layers.As with It Takes A Worried Man..., the dialogue is naturalistic and sardonically witty. The lead character is a cynic and that's a good starting point. Once again the dialogue feels intelligent, articulate and grown-up. There was one almost surreal discussion between Shelley and his pot-growing mother where they practically talked about one another's lovers, with her adding that she was sure he was curious about what she got up to with his father. It's equal parts progressive and icky.There's something very prosaic about the entire series. It's easy to see why I can't remember any specifics about situations or events. That's not what this series is about. In the best of ways, most episodes feel like just another day. That said, this just gives breathing room to the continuity. Over the course of the first series, Shelley's girlfriend, Fran became pregnant and the two decided to marry for practical reasons (not just to do with the baby, but also relating to financial breaks for married couples which nudged Shelley along with introducing the subject).Hywel Bennett is terrific in the title role. The character is lazy and cocky (and up front about both), but always endearing. When I was young I had a bit of a crush on him. That's no longer the case, but I find myself fascinated that he looks like the lovechild of  Geoffrey from Rainbow and George Roper.I don't believe I know Belinda Sinclair from anything else (other than an episode of Lady Killers, which I've watched and have on DVD but can't remember). She has a lovely elegant presence: simultaneously classy and down-to-earth. In terms of energy she makes Fran a perfect match for Shelley, mostly allowing his dysfunction and unmanageability to wash over her... with the odd blow-up.Josephine Tewson is the other key regular player. Best known to me - and most - as "Elizabeth dear" from Keeping Up Appearances, watching Ronnie Barker's body of work gave me newfound admiration for her versatility and professionalism. Here she's playing a bit of a harridan as the landlady who has no time for Shelley and his work-shy ways, whilst kind of pitying Fran for being stuck with him. The growing friendship between the two woman adds the perfect balance.With dialogue being fast and dense, it's a treat to see it being delivered so effortlessly by all involved. The same goes for the guests and recurring characters.Truthfully, before watching I had a feeling I might find the series a bit of a trudge. Turns out I'm enjoying it greatly.I know this is a series of two halves - Series 1-6 from 1979-84 and Series 7-10 (AKA The Return Of Shelley) from 1988-92). At the moment I'm expecting the latter episodes to miss some of the spark of these early ones, but it would be great if I'm wrong.* While I realise he also wrote themes for the likes of Doctor Who, Maigret and Steptoe and Son, my instant association with Ron's name is always Tales Of The Unexpected. What a body of work he has.</blockquote>

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