Ever Decreasing Circles

The brilliance of this series is demonstrated by the fact that when it was shown on the same Sunday evenings as Only Fools and Horses the eminently forgettable programme sandwiched in between "Howard's Way" recorded amazing viewing figures also. The premise of the series which centred on the angst of a pedantic control freak, was hard to pull off but Richard Briers was amazing in the role which was the entire hub of the series. The support cast was also brilliant with an amazing rapport between all the players. I have to say I laughed out loud at the one damning review here which couldn't see the joke in Howard saying to Hilda:

"Come on dear, we best go home now or we'll miss the shipping forecast."

"Why do we always listen to the shipping forecast Howard?"

"Because it leads us nicely into the news dear."

If he couldn't see the humour in that he must have had a good deal in common with Briers' character Martin Brice who could never see the humour in anything. That was what made it so funny.

I prefer this to the better-known _The Good Life_, in which Briers appeared with the adorable Felicity Kendal. Martin is maddening, the man who "means well" but takes everything to excess: a man of basic decency and love for his wife who manages to infuriate or confound all. Wilton is deft as the wife and and Egan superb as a neighbor and rival; "Howard & Hilda" provide further comedy as a devoted couple who don't always quite keep up. A funny commentary on life in community associations as well as marriage, commitment, and temptation.

Apart from Only Fools and Horses there is no better mainstream 80s comedy than this, on the surface it's the usual middle class suburban fare with clichéd characters but is a whole lot deeper, cleverer and funnier than that.

Richard Bryers gives his best comedy performance, quality support from Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan is well cast as his foil Paul. Then of course the shows light relief in the form of 'his and hers' outfits, Howard and Hilda.

The show exists in very ordinary unspectacular surroundings of a London suburb but no shame there, as thats pretty much the situation most of us live in. Much of the comedy derives from Martin Bryce's (Byrers) insecurity as he see's Paul as the threat to his quiet little corner of England.

Sorry to see this excellent series damned by faint praise in another review. A quiet home-counties close is the setting for some complex characters and relationships, brought out superbly by the principals, Richard Briers, Penelope Wilton and Peter Egan. Admittedly, Howard & Hilda were a bit two-dimensional, but that was kind of the point.

While stopping short of biting satire, it nevertheless touched nerves in suburban households in much the same way as the first Reginald Perrin series. The ability to make a character like Martin Bryce likable (well, occasionally) highlights the consummate skill of Briers, who has ranged from farce to the RSC with equal ease. At first it's hard to understand how the wonderful Anne (Penelope Wilton) married him, and yet eventually you see how it could happen. A poignant and very English comedy that should see the light of day again.

Very popular on first airing (1984 ish) but now fairly unheard of and rarely repeated on UK terestrial television. Great Sit-com, not a huge classic but very watchable, especially for the ridiculously smooth Peter Egan and wound too tight Richard Briers.