Two's Company

Seeing as how no-one from the U.K. has commented on this wonderful show, I thought I'd be the first. 'Two's Company' was a kind of British 'Odd Couple'; it starred Elaine Stritch as bestselling American writer 'Dorothy McNab', with Donald Sinden as her snooty, sarcastic English butler 'Robert'. There was an occasional 'battle of the sexes' feel to the show, but mostly it was culture-clash humour. It was rare to find an I.T.V. sitcom in the '70's that featured wit, as opposed to belly laughs. Some of Robert's put-downs were priceless; he told an Australian home-help in one episode: "Regrettably, we have no billy cans for you to drink from. But if you like, I can always arrange a small saucepan!". Complaining about the number of parked cars outside her home, Dorothy is told: "I'll get the police to tow them away, Madam!".

Despite their constant bickering, there was an unspoken bound of affection between Dorothy and Robert. There had to be, or else she could easily have fired him. 'Two's Company', whilst never a big ratings hit for I.T.V., was nevertheless popular, and lasted several seasons. Greg Smith, producer of the 'Confessions' movies, wanted to make a big screen version with Lucille Ball replacing Elaine Stritch, to make it saleable to the American public. It never got made. However, the format was bought by U.S. television, and reworked as the dreadful 'The Two Of Us', with an utterly miscast Peter Cook in the Sinden role.

Terrible show.

It is amazing that Are You Being Served? Absolutely Fabulous, Keeping Up Appearances even Monty Python and Fawlty Towers in their own unique way, can break down cultural barriers in humor and sitcom style, but this thing utterly fails to do likewise.

And this show even has an American at the center of its cast, for crying out loud!

It is also amazing that virtually whatever Elaine Stritch offers on the stage, none of it transfers at all to any form of celluloid on either side of the ocean.

The problem may be in the thinking that she conveys the image of being overly sharp tongued, witty and classy, none of which emerges in tv or movies.

Nevertheless in this show, she isn't alone. The concept that she is an authoress is far-fetched, that as an American writer, she appeals to both sides of the Atlantic is odd, and Donald Sinden as the butler is on the same low level with her.

Two's Company presently airs on the local PBS network Saturday nights, after Keeping UP Appearances and As Time Goes By with Judy Dench. It's intriguing to watch to just observe the contrast in how English life is perceived, in this case represented by a butler, in comparison to Keeping Up Appearances astonishing depictions.

I would hardly recommend this show to anyone wanting to understand the English culture, whether sitcoms are good representation or not. I wouldn't even recommend it for a good laugh.

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.

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".

Two's Company has been shown recently on the WLIW in Long Island Thursday Nights after Waiting for God. It's actually a delightful surprise to see Elaine Stritch and Sir Donald Sinden in this show. Elaine was married to British writer during this time. She is so talented in many ways including singing the theme song. She appears to have fun with her character. While the character is an American expatriate, the show sometimes uses it unwisely. I am an American who love British television more than American television. In fact, I watch Waiting for God reruns rather than Friends. After all, Two's Company was produced by London Weekend Television. Sir Donald's Robert plays wonderfully to Elaine Stritch. We should be very proud of Miss Stritch's talent and success. She is still an American treasure from this show.