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Whenever '70's sitcoms about race are discussed on retro programmes, one show that invariably gets mentioned first is 'Love Thy Neighbour', as though that's all there was back then. I shout at the screen: "What about 'The Fosters'"? The idea to do an all-black British sitcom came from Michael Grade of London Weekend Television. On a visit to the U.S.A., he'd seen and enjoyed an episode of 'Good Times', and thought it would work well over here. It did.

The late Norman Beaton played 'Sam Foster', the patriarchal head of a family living in a block of flats in London. He was married to the loving 'Pearl' ( the late Isabelle Lucas ), and the children were 'Sonny' ( Lenny Henry ) who fancied himself as Britain's answer to Richard Rowntree, sister 'Shirley' ( Sharon Rosita ) and little brother 'Benjamin' ( Lawrie Mark ). Carmen Munroe was their neighbour 'Vilma'. The cast were great, particularly Beaton and Henry. Stand-up comic Lenny had won the talent show 'New Faces' only a year or so before, and he fitted effortlessly into this sitcom, acquitting himself well opposite more experienced actors. No wonder he went on to greater success.

Being a family show, 'The Fosters' had to tone down the grittiness of the original. 'Good Times' broke new ground with an episode in which one of the characters caught V.D. Nothing like that happened in 'The Fosters'. Jon Watkins adapted the scripts, and later invented a few new ones. He had previously written for 'Bless This House', and it showed. I cannot recall the plots in any great detail, but do remember Irene Handl guested in one show as a dotty old lady who has used dog food to make shepherd's pie, which she then gives to The Fosters. Too embarrassed to refuse it, they sit down as a family - with the old lady present - to eat the pie. As he says grace, Sonny lets slip that he knows what she has done: "The Lord is my sheepdog, I shall not woof!".

After only two seasons, L.W.T. pulled the pull on the show. Why is unclear to this day, as it was never out of the Top Ten ratings. Perhaps the characters were perceived to be a little too nice, the plots not daring enough. Who knows? 'The Fosters', if nothing else, disapproves the myth that all '70's sitcoms were casually racist.

If you're wondering about that summary, its a quote from the first episode, being Sonny's introductory line. He delivered it in such a cool, nonchalant style it won him a round of applause!

Just to correct the last reviewer, Samuel Foster was a Father of 3, but that's pretty obvious. What's amazing is that I remember watching the show when it first came out, It was great to see Black folk on TV and we all loved Lenny Henry. looking back now living in America and after seeing every episode of Good Times. I can see why it didn't last more than 2 seasons in Briton. It's not that the acting wasn't good for the times, and it was really amazing to see a black family on TV back in 1976, but the struggles and mentality of Black people in Briton and that of Black Americans weren't exactly transferable. I wish they didn't borrow so much from the American version. Still happy to have had it on. and to have found it again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gJ49S9tdN4

As I remember, it was shown on Fridays and was one of the first sitcoms to feature a black family on mainstream British TV. The other being Love Thy Nieghbour, but that was full of quite offensive language. It was based on the American series Good Times. The late Norman Beaton starred as a harrassed married father of two, a son and daughter, who all live on an estate in South London. Lenny Henry played his troublesome son, who always seemed to be getting into scrapes. Unfortunately only one series was made, and it was only transmitted once according to Beaton. Many series like this one produced during the '70s didn't seem to go the distance, or get support from the TV companies - LWT in this case.

I have only recently came across and purchased the t.v. box set of "chef" starring Lenny Henry. I found him to be immensely funny.Even this show aired years ago. I have been trying to find any other shows and finally came across "The Fosters". British comedy is more relaxed and honestly funnier than our day to day humor.If there is a DVD out on this sitcom, I would love to purchase it,only if it it is in good condition and will play in region 1 format. I also understand that Lenny Henry did a Comic Relief with Robin Williams, I would love to view that as well or could someone point me in the right direction to find that. Also has Lenny Henry done any other shows or sitcoms that I haven't come across lately? let me know.