The Crezz

This was an extremely weird but enjoyable series, of comedy-drama, focussing on the locals who live in the 'Crezz' (Crescent) in a supposedly-normalised suburban area. It had a mish-mash of famous British faces perhaps focussing also on people who were normally known for both comedy or drama. The main character actor was Joss Ackland. I remember one particular episode where the residents were engaging in a potato-fight! It was quite vivid as I was around 14-15 at the time of its broadcast. What struck me most, was how ITV then out of only three British channels, broadcast this in the afternoon slot - where you found quality drama only on this channel, (remember 'Crown Court' and 'General Hospital', anyone?). But sadly, this programme illustrates how bad UK ITV and others have become with endless repeats of cooking programmes and 'wimmin's' type of programming in this afternoon slot (as well as 'Diagnosis Murder' occasionally - no offence, but these are very crass compared to this kind of drama and it smacks of what is lost for eternity with cheap and nasty programmes - sad, but true!)

ITV gave this show a four page spread in "TV Times" upon its launch, yet it only lasted one series.

As I remember, this show had two main problems. Firstly, the writers never seemed sure as to whether they were writing a comedy, or a drama, and the constant switching between the same, including during individual scenes, gave the show a disjointed feeling. Secondly, none of the characters were very likeable, a meal at the Bronte's, with its gloomy conversation and expensive wine, would be more likely to give indigestion than pleasure. The doctor, intended as the principal comedian, came across instead as being an annoying old fool. It also suffered from that longstanding UK drama series credibility problem whereby people were living a few houses down the road one week, and then they suddenly vanished and were never even mentioned again.

One interesting little snippet. This series featured a gay couple years before Colin & Barry in "EastEnders", but audiences did not take to Denny & Terry any more than they took to any of the others. FTR the actor who played the " husband" is gay in his real life, but the actor who played the "wife" was only acting.

This show is worth looking at, but it is something of an acquired taste.