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.

I remember this from its original airing in the good old days. Donald Sinden, a highly respected Shakespearian actor and Elaine Stritch, a similarly regarded American performer team up for some of the best, wittiest humour that has been labelled 'situation comedy' ever. When I found it on Ebay, I had to buy it and I'm delighted that I did. The next generation also enjoyed watching it. The humour comes mainly from the clashes between employer/employee (the power tilts like a see-saw) but also from the silly situations they find themselves in. The invitation to a luncheon at the Palace was absurd, as was the trip to the Casualty ward at the local NHS hospital. Very funny, a snapshot in time and well worth capturing if you like quick repartee.

The British tend to take greater care to craft and create their television comedies. This is one of them. There are so many Britcoms which are far superior to American fare...the only thing is that as Americans we never get to view them except for the exceptional Public Television offerings. And thank God for them.

Two's Company is a rare gem! Enjoy the relationship between Dorothy and Richard. It is precious and priceless! I own all these episodes and I can honestly say they are a treasured collection since I savored them nearly two decades ago, and the soothing bantering and comedy hold true today.

My recommendation is buy buy buy the four season collection before they are discontinued...and they will be!

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".

This show aired in the early eighties on A&E, and I never missed it. Elaine Stritch was an American authoress living in England, and Donald Sinden was her very British butler, called "Robert". My favorite episode had something to do with his preferences for gaudy kitchen tiles and Bach fugues played at full volume. I wish somebody still aired this.