Second Thoughts

From an age when sitcoms didn't need to be funny just observational, Second Thoughts is among the many low points of ITV's comedy output. The gorgeous and usually hilarious Lynda Bellingham is seldom seen in skirts and heels; never in the obligatory basque and stockings and was never less funny. The lovely Julia Sawalha is never seen in a mini skirt and manages the extraordinary feat of being grumpier than in Absolutely Fabulous. The legendary James Bolam was never less funny - hard to believe you're watching the same actor who was in The Likely Lads and its even better sequel. The circle is completed by Belinda Lang, playing the most typical character in the series - the Ex-wife - in the most stereotypical way possible. Along the way there are the wasted talents of Geoffrey Whitehead as Bolam's imperious boss, and loads of other people. An almost unbelievable 5 series were made of this "will they or won't they get married?" drivel. Bellingham and her two teenage offspring re-appeared in very short notice in the far better Faith In The Future.

Just watched this in 2020 and must be the worst plotted show I've ever seen who on earth would miss their own wedding to go shoe shopping for their son I had to check the broadcast dates with the mums attitude to sex before marriage even the oxo mum wasn't this uptight,only saving grace was Julia sawalha's couple of unexpectedly erotic Tight jumpers in the 1st series O did I mention it not at all funny

Although I vaguely remember this from the 90s,I saw this show properly for the first time the other day (bought Series 1 DVD). Essentially it depicts the lives of 2 divorcees trying to start a new romance together, despite constant distractions from his ex-wife + her teenage children.

Although the humour is feeble, obsolete even,the show is nonetheless quite substantial simply for 2 reasons:-

1) The actors - 2point4 Children's Belinda Lang plays the ex-wife, and the (back then) really cute Julia Sawalha,of Absolutely Fabulous and Press Gang fame,plays the teenage daughter.

2) The archetypal early 90s British setting; the show is a nostalgic trip into the modest mums, baggy/black-clad teens and horrendous suburban wallpapers of the day!

Second rate by all means; while the BBC had all the essential comedy classics, perhaps ITV intended to spare a weekly slot for such mediocrity. That said, I will give it 6/10 simply for the established actors and the kitsch-yet-classy early 90s cultural setting.