I Didn't Know You Cared

Well, what can I write about a comedy that I haven't seen for almost forty years. I remember watching it with my brother when we were late teens. Without being elitist in any way I believe that it was a thinking person's comedy. It dealt with dry, cerebral issues of working class family life. Fussy, PC types of today would object to the stereotyping but that's their short sighted problem. My favourite character was the dad played by John Comer, a very gifted comedy actor who deserved more than bit parts in Summer Wine. The dreary Carter made Summer Wine's Barry seem lively by comparison. I had the hots for the dreamy Anita Carey, and still do. We see endless repeats of Summer Wine and Fools and Horses. Why is this mini classic never shown anymore?

One series of this show has been released to TV, and it's pretty good, but a little slow.

It is a poor cousin of a marvellous series of books. The first novel, A Touch of Daniel introduces us to a family, the Brandons, which becomes more and more extended as aunts and uncles move in. There's a huge sense of reality in the dialogue and characters. In "A Touch of Daniel", a baby born to the household seems to have a miracle power... Hugely funny - books that you will read and re-read.

The other books in the series develop the characters, and focuses mostly on Carter Brandon, his girlfriend Pat, and his Uncle Mort. The reading order is: Touch of Daniel, I Didn't Know You Cared, Except You're a bird and Call it a Canary.

Hopefully they will release more of the series, but I'd really recommend you read at least the first book, if not all four.

I enjoyed this when it first aired. The humour is very dry and regional, but somewhat samey.

I don't think many people from outside the UK would find anything in it at all.

Nowadays, even with the UK, I think current generations would be lost as to the appeal.

We watched the first series again in 2022, and it did seem very repetitive. The same jokes and rhetoric over and over again, so much so that they became annoying ... pardon? Dementia isn't funny.

The first episode of the second series was so bad we turned it off.

Too summarise, it is all a bit Aye, well, mmm.

I loved this when it was first broadcast and now it is being released on DVD find it even funnier.

Although not a Northerner myself, the northern sense of humour, dour and morbidly cynical, is brilliant. I think it is only equalled by The Royle Family and Early Doors.

Although the later series lose some of the original cast, it never drops in quality or funniness.

It seems strange that the books that the series was based on are no longer available, but the series seems to follow them so closely that they stand as a grand epitaph to the great author, Peter Tinniswood.

I have always remembered this series so it is great to have it available on DVD. Looking at it again has confirmed that, yes it is dated, but it is also wonderful. I have read the books and thought they were great. The TV series is different but I think even better. I have seen a comment elsewhere that they were slow which I think is a recommendation. As an evocation of a different time, albeit a bit off off the wall, I think it is great. The humour is dark but gentle and the lines from series 1 programme 5 in the conversation about having "relations" with an ugly woman are priceless. I think it benefits from only having had 4 series - it is said that it was badly affected by having Last of the summer wine being similar and in competition with it but I think that LOSW is a good example of what can happen when a series goes on too long. Thankfully Tinniswood's efforts ended at the right time.