As Time Goes By

What I hate about American comedy series is the perceived need for a punchline every 15 seconds. What I love about this series, is the gentle, ambling approach the script takes, as it follows its characters through their daily lives. And they are characters - wonderful ones - but never caricatures. Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer are just perfect in their portrayals, and they are ably supported by a talented cast. Every now and then there is a good, solid belly laugh to be had, but for the most part the humour is subtle and very clever. I feel very warm towards these characters. If they were real I think I should like to invite them to tea. Dench and Palmer appear to enjoy their roles, and when they exchange glances it seems to be not acting, but genuine regard that they show towards each other. May they live happily ever after...........

My mother and I have watched this on PBS every Sunday night for the past several years. And we both absolutely love it. The characterizations are perfect, the characters credible and amiable, the dialog VERY well written, the entire series reliably funny and likable and just plain delightful.

My mother and I always say at the end of each episode something like this: "They're such nice people ... wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have them for neighbors?" How many characters in either movie or TV can that be said of? I can't find a rating opportunity for this one. Darn. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

This is the kind of show that restores faith in drama and comedy presentations on television. The producers and director have actually produced a show for a mature audience. The people portrayed are credible and delightful, and seem to be enjoying their participation in the series. My one fear is that the series is not continuing. I'm not sure how many episodes there are beyond Lionel and Jean's marriage, by my count, there seem to be another 5 to 10. The series is so good that I know that we would just love it to continue on. This gem of a show is the sort that people don't know terribly much about as it never received much fanfare. But, everyone I know who does watch it, almost always shares our enthusiasm and like ourselves, is shocked to discover that someone else loves it as much as they do. The cast and administrators should know how well appreciated they are for this wonderful show.

This show grows on you. It's not as purely funny as many top comedies (e.g., Frasier, Friends, Mad About You, Seinfeld), it's not as imaginative in plot or continuing story as others. There's no truly over the top character whose wildness captures the public's imagination.

Yet the writing and acting work gently - slowly but not too slowly - to make this a very pleasant world to be in.

And so you DO look forward to visiting with these people, do care about their smallish problems, do chuckle at the gentle humor.

The characters just seem so very real that it does feel like you're dropping in on visiting people who are warm, real, caring, likable.

It's a very likable show.

I don't understand why the one unfavorable comment concerning "As Time Goes By" is posted up front.

The series is a sweet comedy, and never imagines itself to be otherwise. The plot is very simple - two lovers struggle as they reunite after 30 years. The episodes follow them as they learn to live with and love each other again, colored by bittersweet regrets of the years they missed. The series touches nicely on the wish we all have to either fall in love, or rediscover love, without burdening us with heavy symbolism. The cast are all excellent in their ability to hold character throughout the series. There is just the right balance of silliness brought on by English character and temperament, and the seriousness that accompanies the search for love.

The dialog is crisp and entertaining, underplayed and natural, never going for the cheap laugh available in some of the situations created. If you are looking for an uplifting and entertaining experience without having to wade through maudlin sentimentality, you will like this program.