The Two of Us

That I remember this show twenty plus years later says a lot about the quality of it. I am not a sitcom fan, but there was something in the cast and premise that caused me to enjoy this show quite a bit. It also exposed me as a child to Peter Cook, and as I grew up I learned to appreciate his other work.

This series stars Mimi Kennedy, also known as the former Mrs. Tom Cruise, Peter Cook, and the late Dana Hill as Gabby. When Gabby's Mom (Kennedy) needs help around the house, she ends up hiring a man. Not just any man, but a not so friendly English bloke played up to the nines (but not overplayed) by Cook.

If cable ever airs this show, I recommend a view or two.

Based on the popular britcom "Two's Company" starring Elaine Stritch, this one reversed the situation by featuring the American boss with a British butler in an American setting. Because a different fish was out of water, the comedy was different. In addition, Nan (Mimi Kennedy) was a talk-show host which provided another source of laughs. Though "The Two of Us" never quite scaled the consistent heights of comedy that the best shows managed, this was often very funny and I wish it had had more time hit its stride. The utterly deadpan Peter Cook was well-used here, and Mimi Kennedy made a good foil for him. I still laugh every time I hear "Let's Twist Again" and think of Peter Cook singing it in his haughty monotone. He is a comedy treasure who is sorely missed.

I can remember a particular episode where Mimi Kennedy's character, Nan, needed to give a huge pill to an animal, I want to say it was a horse. After some debate, they decided to place the pill in a long tube, similar to a large straw. The plan was to place one end into the animals mouth, and blow into the tube intensely, forcing the pill down the animals throat. Great plan, until Nan put the tube in her mouth, and took a huge breath in, in order to be able to expel the extra breath needed. Naturally, she sucked up the pill in this process.

To this day, I can't recall laughing as hard at anything on sitcom television as I did at this scene.

First,let me say I'm glad I'm not the only person to remember this sitcom. Back in 1981,I was a regular viewer of TV sitcoms of all the networks and I really liked this one. Peter Cook's butler character Brentwood puts one in mind of the butler from the movie Aurthur,even though Brentwood is a little more brash.

The plots each week were based around American vs. British customs in the household. As well as a man having a woman for a boss. Each week a new problem presented itself between Brentwood & Nan and sometimes even the daughter was a foil for the butler. At times he would even counsel her with advice. (Which seemed to be the mainstay of many TV leading characters at that time I.E. "The voice of reason". )

The show was canceled mid-way through season 2 because the ratings just weren't there. A shame too because the show was very well written and was at no time silly or slap-stickish. It was intelligent comedy,which is what one expects from CBS. Ten stars for a rating. If ever you see this on DVD,buy it! I sure will! The set up of this show was later used on ABC's,"Who's The Boss?" when a woman advertises for a housekeeper and get a macho Italian/American male with a daughter.

Peter Cook passed away in the '90s.

Between 1981 and 1984 ITV showed this on a regional basis either late before closedowns or Teatimes between 5:15, 6:00 or 6:30pm depending on which region showed their regional news bulletin if it was a 6:00pm bulletin it would either be 5:15 or 6:30 if it was a 6:30 bulletin it would be 5:15 or 6:00pm usually on Mondays or Fridays as these 2 days were non Crossroads nights.