A Very Peculiar Practice

Two successful series and a one-off "return" in 1992.This intriguing comedy based at a fictional university, satirically attacks changes to Britain, and in particular the entrenched establishments of the time,and the faceless,self-serving individuals that gained from their destructive demise.The university is plainly a metaphor of the country at that time,and the skillful script and expertise of the superb cast illustrate the changes then, as darker forces take over control of the university whilst the various departments and individuals fight for their own ends;like Bob Buzzard's refusal to accept that he may not graduate to a 'series 5 BMW',from his existing 'series 3',let alone his dream of a 'series 7',and all of this taking precedence over the fact that his wife and kids have left him, and his house is starting to fall apart all around him.Barbara Flynn's portrayal of Rose-Marie is one of the sexiest memories I have of that time.Strangely enough,although I seem to remember an obscure screening on a cable channel about ten years ago,the show,as best as I can tell,was never re-shown on UK television and was never released on video.Perhaps some nerves were touched in places that do not like to be touched?

One of the very best of 1980s TV. Spot on scripts satirising Thatcher's Britain. Excellent cast too: Peter Davidson & Barbara Flynn of course, but also a young Hugh Grant making an appearance in #1.2 as a Scottish lay-preacher.

In the UK, Series 1 was shown on BBC4 recently (at close to midnight) as part of an Andrew Davies season. Hopefully we'll get series 2 again as well at some point.

Judging by the small number of comments, AVPP was only shown once outside of the UK. Like most great television, it was probably too way out for most viewers at the time. Initially I was drawn to it by the presence of Peter Davison and the lovely Barbara Flynn. Other reviewers have explained the story and refreshed my memory. A superlative cast and remarkable script, touches of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits', a memorable theme and soundtrack - and those two nuns.

The sequel in the form of a TV-movie, 'A Very Polish Practice', may have put a lot of people off the original series, which is a pity.

If you ever get the chance, watch the original series from start to finish.

It is many years now since I saw this series, but I vividly and fondly remember David Troughton's performance as Bob Buzzard. Staggeringly selfish and self centred, he dominated the series. I loved him. One would expect no less from David Troughton, of course. Bob is up there with the other great TV monsters, Alan Partridge and David Brent.

It is bizarre that the series has never been repeated, nor, so far as I know, released on video. Any explanations?

The early morning light struggles to penetrate the dark, litter-strewn walkways of the University Campus - no trees here, just concrete, tarmac, and murky glass windows that only reflect grime and misery.

Not the most obvious setting for a comedy, but it's fitting that the dark, forbidding structures of Lowlands University match the richly dark humour of A Very Peculiar Practice. We see the Medical Practice, with it's share of social outcasts (dour, drunken Scot Jock McCannon, self-centred, self-obsessed Bob Buzzard, and scheming, feminist man (and woman) trap, Dr Rose Marie). We see the University Chancellor, the inappropriately named Ernest Hemingway. We see the students, scared, drunk, clever, confused, horny - all finding their own way. And into all this, we see cast the misplaced and well-intentioned Dr Steven Daker, who is wonderfully played by Peter Davison. Daker is so out of his depth to start with, but slowly he managed to learn the way of survival, then life, then enjoyment, as he learns from his colleagues, his friends, and the lovely Lyn Turtle.

As has been said before, this is a story about life - as we all have to live it. It's superbly written, excellently played, and delightfully spiced.

Come on, BBC - release Series 2 on DVD!!!