Oh Doctor Beeching!

During lockdown I have been watching series of sitcoms by Perry and Croft that I have not previously seen.

This one was co created by David Croft. However scripts for the second series were by other writers.

I found the humour to be laboured and predictable. Steven Murray doing his Blakey routine from on the buses. Su Pollard being as scatty as ever.

The previous relationship between Holland and Shane's wife being the main story thread.

I just found it disappointing when compared to his previous series.

Oh Doctor Beeching ranks as one of my favourite comedies of all time, a wonderfully sweet and innocent, humour of a bygone era. Delightful characters each and every one, all bringing plenty of laughs, with exquisite comedy timing. I'm an adoring fan of Su Pollard, and she is wonderfully funny and scatty as Ethel, and yet she manages to tinge her with sadness. It's very evident that many members of the cast had worked together on previous occasions, the relationships are genuine and very easy. Barbara New's timing as Vera was fantastic, she delivered her lines with so much humour, that line 'My late husband was an engine driver you know.' The show is timeless, it deserved a much greater run then it had, Sunday evenings were a perfect slot for a comedy like this, surely there is still a place for this brand of light and breezy slapstick humour? A show I will always love.

This is a very underrated show, I really don't know why as it's so much fun! Many people think it's less funny than David Croft's other work such as Hidehi and You Rang M'lord, but I would hasten to disagree. The first few episodes are a little slow to get going, but after that it becomes hilarious! Series 2 is even better than Series 1, and I feel that if it had been allowed a 3rd series, it could have become a huge hit! The sunny setting is great and the characters are all wonderful - the Skinner family run Hatley station & take care of all the other staff - potty Ethel & her equally potty son Wilfred; predatory Vera Plumtree whose husband ("he was an engine driver you know") is now deceased, and therefore she now goes for anything in trousers! May Skinner is also a bit of a flirt, especially when new Station Master Cecil Parkin arrives and she realises that he is in fact her old flame - and possibly the father of her teenage daughter Gloria!!! Harry Lambert is a hilarious character, especially in episodes such as "Action Stations" where the staff all have to do role plays to prepare for the visit of Dr Beeching himself! A great series, full of slapstick fun!

This is a fine example of fine British humour. Every character is clearly defined, and each one adds something to the whole.

I suspect that many Americans would not enjoy it. They seem to prefer more slapstick comedy, whereas this sitcom is funny because the characters work off one another.

Indeed, British humour has changed so much recently, that I'm sure many younger viewers would find it difficult to relate to the subtle humour of this story.

However, if you do like this series, then you must check out "You Rang M'Lord" It's a totally different story, but many of the same actors.

Simply excellent british comedy at its best . Just do not make comedy like this anymore. A mix of nostalgia and fun couldn't be better.