Butterflies - Again

[andy-hughes]

The second series was so much darker than the first - there are long scenes of complete silence from the studio audience - rare in a 70's comedy.

Yesterday's episode contained one of the great visual metaphors of television - as Ben and Ria drive in their cars and turn in opposite directions - each listening to the radio. The Righteous Brothers' 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' plays on both radios, and both of them frown, and turn their radios off.

Classic stuff, and I make no apology for commenting on it again - I think that silent image of a couple confused and frightened by what is happening to them is just wonderful.

[paulllambert]

I loved Butterflies, and Wendy Craig was my "older woman" fantasy back in the day.

[VHG]

Much of the best comedy has quiet and sad moments as well as moments of high laughter.

Porridge had that (the episode when they are both locked in the cell overnight on their own is an example). In fact I think Porridge is one of the most "literate" comedies there is.

Only fools and horses could also swing the emotions both ways.

I was watching "Everybody loves Raymond" on C4 this morning (a US sitcom and I am not usually a fan of US sitcoms).

In this episode his mother found a diary that Raymond had written when he was 14 and he said in it "I hate my mother".

This was quite a moving episode (with laughs in between) so sadness and laughter in the same sit com can work fairly well.

[andy-hughes]

I agree entirely VHG - comedy and tragedy are a hairsbreadth apart, and wawlking the line is a rare skill.

I recall an episode in One Foot In The Grave where reference was made for less than a minute to a child Victor and Margaret had lost as a baby, and how old he would be now. Never referred to again, before or since - classic tragic moment in such a wonderful comedy.

[Davethedog]

Isn't pathos always needed to "highlight" the comedy? Good comedys always reflect life, even if it sometimes absurdly done.

I loved Butterflies series one, as you say it got darker to the point that I didn't find it funny, I found it sad. Carla Lane always had that dark undercurrent in her sit coms.

[ludwig]

I could never stand that program and still can't.

[andy-hughes]

Dave - I don't find the second series funny - but it is far more satisfying and real for all that.

None of the standard living happily ever after here - both Ria and Leonard have hurt each other in different ways, and Ben is confused by what is happening. It is pertinent, and it's quaint to see the early 80's fashions and culture again - no mobiles!

[hc4361]

The underrated Roger, Roger had me in belly laughs at the absurdity of some scenes, and crying liking a baby at the relationship between Baz and Marlon and Baz's failed attempts to find love.

Fabulous.

[VHG]

I remember watching Butterflies years ago and their two sons Adam and Russell.

I remember thinking the son who played Russell (Andrew Hall) was destined for a good acting career but the other, Adam (Nicolas Lyndhurst), was not up to much and may never do anything important again.

What do I know !

In fact watching some of Goodnight Sweetheart on Gold at the moment I still don't think Nicholas Lyndhurst is that good (or funny) and feel he has been rather "lucky" in his career, or am I the only one who feels like that.

[Sammy48]

I love all these old comedys like Butterflies, One Foot and Only Fools and Horses. Doesn't matter how many times you watch them they really do make you 'laugh out loud'. Happy memories.

[andy-hughes]

VHG - he is more versatile than he appears - I saw him in a TV production of David Copperfield in America, he played Uriah Heep and he was very convincing.

Andrew Hall has built a succesful career as a theatre director.

[ludwig]

// I still don't think Nicholas Lyndhurst is that good (or funny) and feel he has been rather "lucky" in his career, or am I the only one who feels like that. //

No you're not. If it hadn't been for fools & horses taking off, I doubt anyone would remember him.

[VHG]

Talking of "comedy" did anyone see "The Wright Stuff" with David Haig the other night.

The trailers did not look good, but I set my Sky box to record it and watched it the next day.

I watched the start and found the daughters terrible cockney accent so awful (and the show rather unfunny) I gave up after 5 minutes.

This was a "Ben Elton" comedy and while I loved the Young Ones and Blackadder this was pretty poor. Mind you he did write the Queen musical as well so he deserves all the bad comments he gets.

[ludwig]

To be fair, I remember him in that production of David Copperfield too andy, and he did make a good Heep.

[gordie1]

I love that episode. I have every episode I even went to Cheltenham to see where it was filmed. I think that episode is brilliant " I have run out of tricks" Leonard said and then Ria says "It is time to leave the stage then". So lovely. I have a cat called Ria named after her.

[andy-hughes]

VHG - The Mail's TV critic agrees with you - he spends an entire page in this morning's edition describing how Elton is now a flabby unfunny establishment figure - exactly the sort of individual he castiagated years ago.

Not seen the series, but will give it a look to see if it is that bad.

[netibiza]

I missed it, was it just called Butterflies, so I can look for it.

[gordie1]

Yes it was just butterflies

[netibiza]

Oh I think I have misunderstood. Are you talking about the original series with Wendy Craig?

[hc4361]

Yes, Neti, repeats are currently being shown on some digital channel

[cupid04]

I love Butterflies as well. Always been a fan Of Geoffrey Palmer. The only thing that spoilt it for me was I wish they could have found a better actor for Wendy Craig's love interest.