The Upper Hand

"The Upper Hand" was an extremely funny comedy but was also a drama series. The story goes that Charlie Burrows (Joe McGann) is a single parent, trying to bring up his daughter Joanna (Kellie Bright) in a rough area of London. When a job opportunity arises which allows Charlie to leave London and give Joanna a better life, he grabs it with both hands. This job is working as a live-in housekeeper for divorced business woman Caroline Wheatley (Diana Weston) and helping to look after her son Tom (William Puttock). As the series progresses a friendship begins to grow between Charlie and Caroline, which eventually leads to love. "The Upper Hand" is stuffed full of comedy much of which comes from the hilariously naughty character of Laura West (Honor Blackman) Caroline's mother. The two children are also another source of light relief especially when the relationship between Caroline and Charlie begins to develop. Looking back at "The Upper Hand" now, the set and the "niceness" and perhaps innocence of life do make the viewer very aware that it was a series of the 90s but this does not make it any less entertaining to watch. Indeed, it is about time the series was released on DVD for fans of the show and for those who didn't see it first time round. From the first notes of the theme tune right to the end, every episode is a joy to watch.

New man meets career woman in this romantic "comedy". Each week viewers were presented with a series of lukewarm jokes set around domestic mishaps and the "will they won't they" relationship between the two main characters. This premise often makes for good TV, however the lack of chemistry between the two leads and the simpering niceness of the entire production, meant that the audience really couldn't give a damn if they did or did not.

The show was helped neither by the stereotypical teenage daughter nor the wimpy kid that played the son calling his mother "mummy" all the time. I suppose Honor Blackman did her best with the part of Laura, but that's because she's Honor Blackman- enough said.

In all this is turgid bourgeois drivel,with an awful theme tune (particularly the rather dodgy piano bit in the closing credits).

I used to watch this in the early 90's and quite liked it, but I remember that the reason I stopped watching it was Charlie is such a twit! I guess he was typical of most men of that era really. Diana Weston deserved much better (imho), but hey ho that's just me! It's a mildly amusing rather than hilariously funny programme although it does have some great moments. I'm saying this after having watched the entire 6 series so clearly there's something about it I like!

this show was about a single father moving away from London to be a housekeeper in the countryside. The show ran for 6 years and was always full of laughs, the cast were superb and it was a shame to the show end.

This is one amazing, funny comedy. All the actors, really play their parts well. My very favourite character is Charlie, the housekeeper. Following Tom the little boy. Tom is perfect. It's a laugh a minute. Watch it. I'll be surprised if you don't like it. They don't make comedy's quite like this anymore. The 80s and 90s for comedies were simply brilliant. Charlie's daughter now in EastEnders. Sadly, Blackman no longer with us. She sadly passed away. She was also amazingly funny. They should really do a remake to this, with a fresh approach. But keeping The same characters. Brilliant little show. The only downside was not long enough episodes. Just 25 minutes long. English comedy humour at its very best. It's on UKTV play at the moment.