Bottle Boys

In Britain, there's has been a long tradition of innuendo-filled jokes about amorous milkmen and bored housewives - however this show had an early evening time slot on LWT and so couldn't be as smutty as Robin Askwith's famous "confessions" seventies movies. It was also broadcast in the mid 80's, when this style of humor had well and truly passed it's sell-by date. It wasn't a huge success, and only lasted a couple of years.

The scary thing is that I still remember the words to the theme song - it pretty much sums up the whole show!

Bottle boys, bottle boys,

Up with the lark,

Who cares if it's raining,

Who cares if it's dark,

There's a whole lot of bottle boys taking a pride,

In making sure each customer is satisfied!

Milk, eggs and butter - got them all on the float,

Anything you're short of darlin' leave us a note,

Oh, you'll be glad you wrote it when you hear the noise,

Of the rattle of the bottles of the bottle boys!!

This show would probably have worked in 1972, as a bawdier version of "On the buses", but by 1984 the clichés of the randy milkman, the buxom secretary, the drunk Scotsman, and the laid back West Indian were well past their sell by date. The only member of the cast who actually looked like a milkman was one of the extras, given a name (Ernie), but no dialogue, even when somebody spoke to him. Given the poor quality of the writing, perhaps that was not a bad thing.

If you like Robin Askwith, and early seventies bawdy comedy, stick with his " Confessions" films, which are at least amusing in a silly kind of way. Don't bother with this.

One of the best old TV shows I wood so love to have on dvd if it was out to buy

For 30 odd years I wondered if this show was a figment of my imagination! The theme song still lingers in my head, even after all these years.

Glad my worries have been put to rest. And did *anyone* go and see Robin Askwith theatrical version of Run For Wife?!