A Very Peculiar Practice

Two successful series and a one-off "return" in 1992.This intriguing comedy based at a fictional university, satirically attacks changes to Britain, and in particular the entrenched establishments of the time,and the faceless,self-serving individuals that gained from their destructive demise.The university is plainly a metaphor of the country at that time,and the skillful script and expertise of the superb cast illustrate the changes then, as darker forces take over control of the university whilst the various departments and individuals fight for their own ends;like Bob Buzzard's refusal to accept that he may not graduate to a 'series 5 BMW',from his existing 'series 3',let alone his dream of a 'series 7',and all of this taking precedence over the fact that his wife and kids have left him, and his house is starting to fall apart all around him.Barbara Flynn's portrayal of Rose-Marie is one of the sexiest memories I have of that time.Strangely enough,although I seem to remember an obscure screening on a cable channel about ten years ago,the show,as best as I can tell,was never re-shown on UK television and was never released on video.Perhaps some nerves were touched in places that do not like to be touched?

A Very Peculiar Practice is another example of the intelligent and thought-provoking television which the BBC went through a phase of producing during the mid to late-1980s. Along with the likes of Edge of Darkness and the Singing Detective this is a series which demands the attention of the viewer.

Andrew Davies has a proved track record in writing for television and this series is no exception. Peter Davison made the successful leap from being the confident, self-assured and cheeky Doctor Who for 3 years to being the clumsy and nervous but capable Stephen Daker.

Graham Crowden's performances as Jock McCannon are seemingly bizarre but do keep with the series' title. Barbara Flynn is the slightly enigmatic Rose-Marie but David Troughton steals the show as Bob Buzzard, a typical example of the many right of centre profit-seekers who populated Thatcher's Britain at the time.

The series has aged somewhat but its dark humour and memorable theme music give it a great degree of uniqueness and those who don't mind being challenged while watching television could do a lot worse than adding this gem of a comedy-drama to your DVD collection.

It is many years now since I saw this series, but I vividly and fondly remember David Troughton's performance as Bob Buzzard. Staggeringly selfish and self centred, he dominated the series. I loved him. One would expect no less from David Troughton, of course. Bob is up there with the other great TV monsters, Alan Partridge and David Brent.

It is bizarre that the series has never been repeated, nor, so far as I know, released on video. Any explanations?

Judging by the small number of comments, AVPP was only shown once outside of the UK. Like most great television, it was probably too way out for most viewers at the time. Initially I was drawn to it by the presence of Peter Davison and the lovely Barbara Flynn. Other reviewers have explained the story and refreshed my memory. A superlative cast and remarkable script, touches of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits', a memorable theme and soundtrack - and those two nuns.

The sequel in the form of a TV-movie, 'A Very Polish Practice', may have put a lot of people off the original series, which is a pity.

If you ever get the chance, watch the original series from start to finish.

One of the very best of 1980s TV. Spot on scripts satirising Thatcher's Britain. Excellent cast too: Peter Davidson & Barbara Flynn of course, but also a young Hugh Grant making an appearance in #1.2 as a Scottish lay-preacher.

In the UK, Series 1 was shown on BBC4 recently (at close to midnight) as part of an Andrew Davies season. Hopefully we'll get series 2 again as well at some point.