Mulberry

Ingenious, sweet-natured, and perhaps even better focused for being a limited-run series -- the actors seem to be having a great time and the scripts are really well-crafted. The local (Seattle) PBS station is running these and they're worth watching the schedule for!

I rely on PBS for quality TV and a much-needed break from the violence on American broadcasts. Fell in love with Mulberry the first time I saw it, and am so glad to see it being shown once again. Gentle, funny, poignant, intelligent...it has everything a person could want in good humor. I heartily agree with all of the commentators who also love it. I'm so looking forward to scenes that were downright hilarious, but don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not yet had the opportunity to enjoy it. However, I will comment that the British are not at all afraid to feature aging or aged characters as their leads. It's refreshing to realize that someone somewhere appreciates the richness of the lives of the more senior among us. Mulberry is one program where you can find that pleasure.

Mulberry is a funny, witty Britcom that stars Karl Howman as the mild-mannered but always imposing Mulberry, servant to the cranky, elderly Miss Farnaby (Geraldine McEwan). Bert and Alice, two other servants of Miss Farnaby's, are much needed additions to the cast, as their incredulous reactions to Mulberry's actions make for some of the funniest parts of this series. Howman's character is charming and clever, always scheming, and highly intelligent (what more could you ask from the "son of death"?), and it is truly his acting abilities that pull this Britcom together. Some of the episodes are less funny than others, but the majority are the reason I keep tuning in Saturday after Saturday for rerun after rerun. Of course, the reason Mulberry is there is to eventually "kill" Miss Farnaby, so the series did not last indefinitely. Overall, this is one of the top Britcoms I've seen.

Mulberry is the son of the grim reaper and his first job is to bring the rather dower old maiden Miss Farnaby to "the other side." Only he finds, instead, ways of showing her how to live a life she has always regretted she never had, and in the process fails hilariously at his the job he is supposed to be inheriting from his father. The interactions with the other household staff are a constant source of mayhem. Despite the consternation of her staff, Miss Farnaby manages to blossom under the tutelage of the mysterious Mulberry.

This is one of the most enjoyable of the British Comedy TV series I have ever seen and I regret that it is only 13 episodes long. Every one that I have seen is a gem and I keep wishing my PBS station would re-run the series.

I, too, found this show utterly charming, funny and heartwarming. Though I had viewed the episodes on Canadian PBS (out of Detroit) over ten years ago, the experience has left a lasting impression on me, inspiring me, too, (as the main character, Mulberry, does) to attempt to brighten the lives of others. Characters are rich, story lines thought provoking and actors play off of each other with great chemistry. What a noble show!--it's needed again in an era of crime dramas which showcase the despicable acts of humankind. I am longing for "Mulberry" to be released on video/DVD, or at least be aired again to that I may tape it. I've requested several times through BBCAmerica for this and hope that many others do as well.