Cradle to Grave

I'd been looking forward to "Cradle to Grave" since I heard it was in production. I haven't ready Danny Baker's book "Going to Sea in a Sieve" but I had heard several media interviews where Baker told some of his tales and they sounded fantastic (two of the best feature in episode 1).

The show didn't disappoint. It's fantastic looking recreating seventies London. The theme song and the score are outstanding too. Each episode has been funny, well paced, established characters quickly and told great tales.

The casting is also a triumph. Lucy Speed is tremendous as Danny's Mum, Laurie Kynaston makes an excellent Danny and Peter Kay is outstanding as Danny's Dad "Spud". I'm not a big fan of Kay himself but he is a really good character actor as proved many times and once you've got used to his cockney accent - he's brilliant in this. Without spoiling, some scenes are poignant and Kay particularly shines there.

I'm not sure this has longevity as a series but as six, maybe twelve episodes, it will really make a mark as a comedy of very high standard.

This series has been something of a surprise hit with me. I gave a miss initially, but then watched episode 1 on the BBC Player and was hooked. It moves at a good pace, interweaving the various threads throughout the episodes and across several episodes. The casting and acting is top notch all around. They've recreated the 70s superbly, too, and it really rolls back the years for those of us who are almost the same age as Danny Baker (I'm a couple of years younger). In addition, the music from Squeeze really fits the bill, along with a superb 70s soundtrack.

And ignore all that nonsense about Peter Kay's cockney accent. It doesn't matter. He does a great job with the role of Danny's father.

All in all, a great watch. I hope they push ahead with series 2. I read that Baker and Pope are already working on the second series.

I thought this series was superb - enjoyed the nostalgia of the 70's clothes, decor and lifestyles. Each episode is a story in it's own right but would recommend watching the whole series so you can follow the story lines that go throughout the series too. Each of the main actors are fantastic but I particularly loved Laurie Kynaston - playing a naive teenager! I have not read Danny Baker's book but am tempted to do so after seeing this series. Always a fan of Peter Kay - has he ever done anything bad?? Another plus is the music throughout - especially Squeeze's theme tune. Will miss it now that it has finished but do hope there will be a second series!

What a wonderful warm and brilliant treat. One of the best TV shows to have graced our TV screens. Excellent actors very well written. Highly recommend to who ever hasn't seen this to watch it and I promise you will love it. Brilliant sound track and very very funny. Thank you Danny for bringing your life to life. You really did have some life. I'm not going to tell you anything about the show don't want spoil it. I really hope they mange to make a second season. I for one would love more of this show that makes you if your a certain age remember when life was simpler and let's be honest a bit more innocent. And if you haven't read Danny's biography I highly recommend that as well.

It's greatly disappointing to see that British critics are slamming the "Cradle to Grave" so quickly and so harshly with negative comments. Ease off, kids. This show is fantastic. Not everything needs to be a bloody, break-neck, speed-of-light drama edited to within an inch of your life.

This is good family fun without the pretense of pleasing all of the people all of the time. The characters are interesting, hilarious and realistic.

The music is the BEST and I can't say enough great things about the writing, the directing, the acting, and most especially the costuming and set work. If this show is ended before its due time, it will be like someone taking your giant box of chocolates away and kicking you in the, um, stomach. Blood would be shed for such insanity and injustice. No. This show must continue. Great work one and all. Keep on Truckin, and Keep on Keepin' on. (Just a few 70s phrases for you from the States.) :)