Dear John....

This was a great series. I just wish it would get repeated so I can enjoy it some more, now that I am older there may be some subtle stuff I missed first time round. As someone else commented about, it was a tragi-comedy, like a lot of the classics (Steptoe and Son as an example) and I think this is one of the keys to its success. I did like the episode where Kirk tries to take a leaf out of Johns book and take some of the heat for a party host with a bit of gas. I saw it was released on video, but decided to wait for the DVD.... still waiting. Although I recently found out there were ninety episodes, which seems a lot for a British comedy of that time. Of course if that is the case, then there was an awful lot of episodes that I missed.

John Sullivan was one of the best comedy writers that Britain has ever produced and while this sitcom doesn't get as fondly remembered as perhaps Just Good Friends or Only Fools and Horses it is a fine sitcom and produces more laughs per episode than anything on television today.

It has charm, it has genuine warmth and actors who play their roles to perfection with Ralph Bates being at the centre of this as the unlucky but nice John Lacey. Sullivan writes characters like the meek yet hilarious Ralph with such skill while making others like the ridiculous Kirk seem so real.

From catchphrases to a rich sense of pathos this show has it all and if you are a fan of John Sullivan's other works then this is one well worth searching for on DVD.

One of my favourite comedies of all time. It's nearly as good as 'Only Fools And Horses'(1981)...but not quite :-) OFAH was also written by Londoner John Sullivan. 'Dear John' is a very laid back comedy centering around divorcee John Lacey (Ralph Bates), a school teacher who joins the 1-2-1 club for divorced and separated people. There's some great characters such as macho man Kirk St.Moritz, Kate, Mrs. Arnott and the unforgettable Ralph Dring (played excellently by Peter Denyer). The club is run by the posh and snooty Louise Williams..."Were there any sexual problems?" The sitcom revolved around different people's experiences and problems being talked about at the club and the funny things that happen in life. It's a lovely sitcom and if you can get the video it's money well spent for good, clean British humour. **** out of *****

The late great John Sullivan was one of the finest comedy writers this country has ever produced, and whilst his other shows Fools and horse's and Just Good Friends get repeat airings this gem from the mid 80s hardly gets a look in. Which is a real shame as it's every bit as funny as those shows. Maybe the idea of a divorced and singles club isn't relevant today in a world of internet dating and Tinder. The characters are terrific each with there own individual relationship issue with Ralph Bates(John) the only sane one amongst them. Full of very funny set pieces and some great one liners from Sullivan Dear John is a minor classic which deserves more exposure.

What a shame this was binned after 2 seasons. John Sullivan needs more time to develop his characters and this could have run for years and tears if it had the right backing.

Let us not forget that OFAH was close to being binned after series 2 ..but they stuck with it...same as Dear John,the character development was so important..but alas we never got the chance to watch this beauty grow.

Real funny characters here..a real bunch of people with issues thrown together to stew a great feed-line comedy.

Sullivan's work is very similar in that the characters gel over 3 or 4 seasons . Think Kirk St Moritz..think Mickey Pearce...think Trigger..think Ralph..it all fits that this was a precursor to character work in OFAH . I would personally have liked more of this and less of OFAH!

In a nutshell..a gem and will live on in DVD forever..