Originally a vehicle for Harry Enfield who left after the first series feeling that he was the weak link and that the job would be more suited to a 'proper' actor. The producers took this on board and cast Neil Morrissey as his replacement.
The series received higher ratings when broadcast by the BBC. The network broadcast the series in a post-watershed (nighttime) slot and retooled the series to include "more colorful language and behavior". The changes attracted older viewers, and gained the series a cult following.
The first two series, (the first starring Harry Enfield, Martin Clunes, Caroline Quentin and Leslie Ash and the second starring Clunes and Neil Morrissey along with Quentin and Ash), were produced for ITV who then cancelled the show. The BBC then took over two years later in 1994 for the remainder of the show's run, retaining the series two cast.
Writer Simon Nye has two cameo roles in the series. The main one is Clive, who films Gary (Martin Clunes) and Dorothy (Caroline Quentin)'s wedding.
The full names of the shows, character names: Gary Strang, Dermot Povey, Tony Smart, Dorothy Bishop and Deborah Burton.