Nightingales

Loved the programme Nightingales. Takes me back a few years. Off the wall. Surreal. Fantastic. Late night jewel. Ideal for insomniacs.

Well know for the phrase "there is nobody here but us chickens".

Maybe other fans were Steven Moffat famed for writing Doctor Who amongst other things. In Doctor who wrote the episode "The empty child". An episode of Doctor who from the first series...with Christopher Eccleston.

An hysterical four year old child at the door asks "Are you my mommy?". The doctor replies "No mommies here. Nobody here but us chickens". "Well this chicken".

This is true British comedy following in the footsteps of the Goons or Monty Python. You wouldn't think that a sitcom about 3 security guards and an empty building would yield much in the way of laughs but this comedy did using a combination of off-the-wall plots and fantastic characterisation by Lyndsey, Thewlis and Allison.

If you like Nightingales, check out The High Life and Joking Apart.

"Anyone here?" "There's nobody here but us chickens"

This show is a hidden classic. Most people you mentioned this show to have never heard of it. It was hidden away on Channel 4 in the U.K. for two series (1990-1993). The situations are original, from a replacement guard turning into a werewolf to murder and mayhem. All cast members are excellent, occasionally slipping into Shakespeare with ease. If you can get hold of copies or it is ever repeated watch it. I highly recommend it.

I just been on play.com and found both series on 2 DVDs. Should be able to buy it from Amazon as well. No other comedy series has me wanting to watch again. I remember sitting in bed late at night watching this amazing comedy. The acting was superb and the plots though mainly surreal were brilliant. I'll never forget the episode with the hypnotist as long as i live.

If you never watched the series just buy it as it is worth the money. The only problem you may have afterwards is that listening to Lady in Red by Chris De Burgh may have you quoting the immortal line "There is nobody here but us chickens" at the relevant space.

Ironic, for the concept of forgotten men left deserted in an anonymous tower block, that Channel 4 should should post them to a graveyard slot with no fanfare and precious little advertising. A Pity- since this was one of the most innovative, imaginative and downright surreal comedies ever to grace the screen.

A simple concept- three men forced by time and circumstance to create their own fantasy world to alleviate the endless tedium and pointlessness of their lives- is twisted into surreal shapes and situations until it screams with laughter.

The actors are obviously enjoying themselves hugely and ground the characters so fully in the situation that wild flights of fantasy can soar while never dissolving into stupidity or falling off into pointlessness (the Curse Of Python).

Excellent ideas- King Lear, Hypnotism, Mutiny on the Bounty, Doppelgangers and a sensitive Werewolf are milked for all their comic potential- and what rich milk it is.

Maybe it is an acquired taste-the reason I only give 8- but if it hooks you, you will never find its equal.

Perhaps THE forgotten comedy gem of the 1990s.