Two's Company

Seeing as how no-one from the U.K. has commented on this wonderful show, I thought I'd be the first. 'Two's Company' was a kind of British 'Odd Couple'; it starred Elaine Stritch as bestselling American writer 'Dorothy McNab', with Donald Sinden as her snooty, sarcastic English butler 'Robert'. There was an occasional 'battle of the sexes' feel to the show, but mostly it was culture-clash humour. It was rare to find an I.T.V. sitcom in the '70's that featured wit, as opposed to belly laughs. Some of Robert's put-downs were priceless; he told an Australian home-help in one episode: "Regrettably, we have no billy cans for you to drink from. But if you like, I can always arrange a small saucepan!". Complaining about the number of parked cars outside her home, Dorothy is told: "I'll get the police to tow them away, Madam!".

Despite their constant bickering, there was an unspoken bound of affection between Dorothy and Robert. There had to be, or else she could easily have fired him. 'Two's Company', whilst never a big ratings hit for I.T.V., was nevertheless popular, and lasted several seasons. Greg Smith, producer of the 'Confessions' movies, wanted to make a big screen version with Lucille Ball replacing Elaine Stritch, to make it saleable to the American public. It never got made. However, the format was bought by U.S. television, and reworked as the dreadful 'The Two Of Us', with an utterly miscast Peter Cook in the Sinden role.

This show aired in the early eighties on A&E, and I never missed it. Elaine Stritch was an American authoress living in England, and Donald Sinden was her very British butler, called "Robert". My favorite episode had something to do with his preferences for gaudy kitchen tiles and Bach fugues played at full volume. I wish somebody still aired this.

I remember this from its original airing in the good old days. Donald Sinden, a highly respected Shakespearian actor and Elaine Stritch, a similarly regarded American performer team up for some of the best, wittiest humour that has been labelled 'situation comedy' ever. When I found it on Ebay, I had to buy it and I'm delighted that I did. The next generation also enjoyed watching it. The humour comes mainly from the clashes between employer/employee (the power tilts like a see-saw) but also from the silly situations they find themselves in. The invitation to a luncheon at the Palace was absurd, as was the trip to the Casualty ward at the local NHS hospital. Very funny, a snapshot in time and well worth capturing if you like quick repartee.

An American Authoress living in Chelsea, hires an English Butler by the name of Robert.

It's a smashing comedy, it's full of sharp one liners, witticisms and sarcastic remarks of the highest order. This intelligent comedy showcases the cultural differences between Brits and Americans (at the time,) and showcases the battle of the sexes.

The quality never dips, it's funny throughout, the best series for me, is the third, the show feels less studio bound, and often ventures outside, Buckingham Palace being one spot.

If I didn't know better I would have thought the earlier episodes were American made, it's not the typical British comedy, the laughs are generally more high brow, more subtle, but when they come, this show is side splitting.

You will see several familiar faces, my favourite guest turn is from Beryl Reid, she is a joy to watch, in one of the funniest episodes.

The two leads, what can I say, both are utterly tremendous, Stritch strikes me as just the loveliest, sweetest person, I adore her character. Sinden has the most remarkable timing, and those eyes tell a thousand stories. They combine amazingly well, you can see the relationship develop with time.

It's wonderful.

9/10.

Two's Company describes the interplay between a female American author and a traditional British butler.

Is this TV show a laugh a minute riot-fest filled with double entendre, broad humour, and farcical shenanigans? Nope. What this series is about is understated, witty humour between two people who both think they can best the other.

So, there is sharp dialogue, witty comments, razor sharp wordplay, with both characters easily being able to dominate the screen on their own. The fact that they are both trying to do so is where the humour shines through.

If you are looking to be hit over the head with humour and not have to think, then this show is not for you. But if you're willing to be patient, and have the ability to analyze smart writing, delivered by two great actors of the stage--you'll love "Two's Company".