Sweet Sixteen

starring Penelope Keith and Christopher Villiers "Sweet Sixteen" was named for the 16 year age difference between the older Helen Walker [Keith], and her lover, the younger Peter Morgan [Villiers]who to complicate matters is also her employee. The series works through the progression and change of their relationship brought about by Helens unexpected pregnancy. From the first episode where Peter discribes their relationship as "a bit of fun", things take quite a different turn. She knows she loves him....but does he love her?. Worth watching.. the six episodes make up a complete story.

This was such an excellent series that even now, 16 years later, I still remember it as one of the best I have ever seen. Penelope Keith's performance displayed more of the depth of her talent than she has had the opportunity to express in some of her more recent roles, as she touchingly portrayed the passion, tenderness and confusion of a woman struggling to juggle love and a career. The fact that the blossoming love was with a man 16 years her junior - thus the title - added an extra dimension to this poignant comedy.

In Sweet Sixteen, Keith portrays a widow who suddenly finds herself in charge of the large construction business which her husband had built and managed successfully for many years. The fact that the age difference makes her feel that she must keep secret the affair with the young man who is so enamoured of her - and to whom she finds herself increasingly attracted - is further complicated by the fact that he is the company architect.

Penelope Keith as a 42 middle-aged woman who was single and pregnant with her young lovers baby was seen as quite shocking back in the 80's. Penelope Keith played Helen Angela Walker/Morgan who ran a construction company started by her Father. Helen has a 19 year old son from her husband who had died years earlier.

Christopher Villiers who at first seemed like a player who was just messing around with the boss. Upon discovering Helen was pregnant he was forced to grow up fast.

Helen was a strong forceful woman who did not tolerate any rubbish from her employees or from those she did business with.

The show ONLY lasted six episodes. Too bad. It has potential. There was several hilarious moments. I do NOT want to see a remake as it would take so many liberties over the original that it would be boring.

The supporting cast was good.

Arthur Poole the long time employee who started working for the company back when Helen's Father was alive. He has promised Helen's Father he would look after her. Poor Arthur had gotten on in age. He was also married to Millie. In one episode Arthur had gotten stuck on the roof of a home the company was constructing and was too afraid to climb back down the ladder.

Millie Poole was a strong, bossy woman who even intimidated Helen slightly. That is why Peter hired her to being their housekeeper. Someone who would do the cooking and cleaning and could keep Helen in line.

Ken was well played by Victor Spinetti. Ken was a low-key man who would make kind suggestions to Helen. He was the one man she would listen to.

Joan Blackham played Jane a smart, loyal woman who was Helen's secretary and confident. She would make snarky remarks to Peter who once threatened to have her fired only for her to calmly point out if she was fired who would point out he had Helen's lipstick on his cheek.

Mike Grady played Dr Ballantine. Helen intimidated him most of the time except in one episode when he was furious with her because her blood pressure was very high. In the very last episode he had brought Helen and Peter a pair of kissing fish as a present.

;-) ... but as a die-hard "To the Manor Born" fan since the late eighties (my formidable teen years, no less), I'm an American who was likewise horrified by "Sweet Sixteen", LOL. It wasn't 'just' the age difference ... it was the *combination* of Keith and the age difference.

The story itself moved relatively fast, and the idea of a strong woman running a construction company ... especially back in the eighties ... was both interesting and progressive. And for that aspect of the character, Keith worked very well. But the relationship. ... Nope. I fear quite a few fans of "Good Neighbours", and especially "To the Manor Born", ran away in stark terror.

Make no mistake, I *am* a very avid Keith fan. I know her as 'Margot', and I positively adore her as 'Audrey'. I've even seen her in snippets from her newer British shows (eg. "Next of Kin"). But no way could I handle her "Sweet Sixteen". Absolutely no offense intended though, Kay-29 ... I watched Good Neighbours pretty religiously too. :-)

This Britcom made it's US debut not long after it's UK one..after all, it lasted only six episodes! My local PBS station reported (because, having seen only six, we were clamoring for MORE) that the Brits didn't accept Penelope Keith in the role of the pregnant older woman and the series was halted after six.

I run a chatlist for fans of Ms. Keith and one of her "other" series, The Good Life/Good Neighbors. Many of my members have only heard of Sweet 16. It's not available on video nor on DVD, and with only six episodes total, it's almost never seen in repeats. Pity because it really is a well done program. If by chance your PBS station decides to air it, by all means watch!