Two's Company

This show aired in the early eighties on A&E, and I never missed it. Elaine Stritch was an American authoress living in England, and Donald Sinden was her very British butler, called "Robert". My favorite episode had something to do with his preferences for gaudy kitchen tiles and Bach fugues played at full volume. I wish somebody still aired this.

...and perhaps it's not supposed to.

The typical Britcom is assumed to leave you weeping with laughter. But the difference between "Two's Company" and a show like "Fawlty Towers" or "Keeping Up Appearances" is the silly humor factor. "Two's Company" is humerous on a level that is much more toned down; the show definitely has the chuckle moments, but I don't see where one would be rolling on the floor laughing all the way through.

That's not to say that the show isn't good, though. Dorothy McNab (Elaine Stritch) is an American author living in London in the 1970s. She's known all over the world, she's wealthy, so naturally she would need a butler to handle the day to day living. She winds up hiring Robert (Donald Sinden), and before long the two are bickering like old friends. The show is about their warm yet feisty working relationship together. The best part of the show is the unique chemistry they share.

It took me awhile to warm up to this show, but now I watch it on a regular basis. No, it's no "Vicar of Dibley" or "Are You Being Served?", but it's a good show for a few laughs here and there. I recommend it if you're looking for something lighthearted.

Two's Company describes the interplay between a female American author and a traditional British butler.

Is this TV show a laugh a minute riot-fest filled with double entendre, broad humour, and farcical shenanigans? Nope. What this series is about is understated, witty humour between two people who both think they can best the other.

So, there is sharp dialogue, witty comments, razor sharp wordplay, with both characters easily being able to dominate the screen on their own. The fact that they are both trying to do so is where the humour shines through.

If you are looking to be hit over the head with humour and not have to think, then this show is not for you. But if you're willing to be patient, and have the ability to analyze smart writing, delivered by two great actors of the stage--you'll love "Two's Company".

The British tend to take greater care to craft and create their television comedies. This is one of them. There are so many Britcoms which are far superior to American fare...the only thing is that as Americans we never get to view them except for the exceptional Public Television offerings. And thank God for them.

Two's Company is a rare gem! Enjoy the relationship between Dorothy and Richard. It is precious and priceless! I own all these episodes and I can honestly say they are a treasured collection since I savored them nearly two decades ago, and the soothing bantering and comedy hold true today.

My recommendation is buy buy buy the four season collection before they are discontinued...and they will be!

An American Authoress living in Chelsea, hires an English Butler by the name of Robert.

It's a smashing comedy, it's full of sharp one liners, witticisms and sarcastic remarks of the highest order. This intelligent comedy showcases the cultural differences between Brits and Americans (at the time,) and showcases the battle of the sexes.

The quality never dips, it's funny throughout, the best series for me, is the third, the show feels less studio bound, and often ventures outside, Buckingham Palace being one spot.

If I didn't know better I would have thought the earlier episodes were American made, it's not the typical British comedy, the laughs are generally more high brow, more subtle, but when they come, this show is side splitting.

You will see several familiar faces, my favourite guest turn is from Beryl Reid, she is a joy to watch, in one of the funniest episodes.

The two leads, what can I say, both are utterly tremendous, Stritch strikes me as just the loveliest, sweetest person, I adore her character. Sinden has the most remarkable timing, and those eyes tell a thousand stories. They combine amazingly well, you can see the relationship develop with time.

It's wonderful.

9/10.