Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

One of the classic series of the 1980s, 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' works well as an ensemble piece, with every character complementing the other - Dennis, the sensible one (Tim Healy), Neville, the nervous one (Kevin Whatley), Barry, the dumb one (Timothy Spall), Oz, the crazy one (Jimmy Nail), Bomber, the tough one (Pat Roach), Wayne, the horny one (Gary Holton), and Moxey, the boring one (Christopher Fairbank). They're brickies on a building site in Dusseldorf, and the interest comes in watching them survive being thrown together.

Two series appeared in the early eighties, with the series being curtailed by Holton's untimely death during recording of series 2. Almost every episode was a winner - laughs, pathos, camaderie, and a real sense of liking of the characters involved. Well written, with a pair of great theme tunes (sung by Joe Fagin), and a good cast of supporting actors (Michael Elphick turns up now and then, Ray Winstone plays an army man AWOL), this drama really couldn't miss.

And the final couple of series reunited all the characters (bar Wayne - we saw his son Wyman, instead) for more laughs and an ultimately touching finale. Highly recommended and, surprisingly, not dated at all.

I'm writing this 5 episodes into the first BBC screening of the new (third) series. After a 15 year break, I was sceptical that the old magic of this classic series would no longer be there. My fears were unfounded. This is British TV at its very best. The writing is as superb as it ever was back in the 80s. The six surviving main characters, the new seventh `lead' (replacing the late Gary Holton's character, as his son) and all the supporting characters are just excellent. Ten out of ten, no question. I'm taping the entire series and once it finishes I'm going to have a night in with a six-pack and watch the whole lot right the way through again from start to finish. Let's hope that the rumoured fourth series also comes to fruition.

I remember watching the first series of this as a 12 year old boy with my parents and loving every minute of it. 20 years later I own all four series on DVD and still enjoy them as much as I did the first time round. Lets be honest, how many programmes can we honestly say that about?

The first series was pure genius. Relatively unknown actors proving you don't need big names to make some of the most watchable, amusing and heartwarming television around. Since then of course many of the actors have gone on to be household names.

The second series was also great, probably as good as it could ever have hoped to be. The third and fourth series in my opinion aren't as good and I feel have suffered by moving to the BBC. They seem too clean cut and professional, something the lads were never intended to be. However, I still find them very watchable, but that is mainly down to the characters created in the early 1980's.

I doubt there'll be any more episodes now that bomber (the wonderfully understated Pat Roach) is no longer with us. To me this is the end of a TV era.

Auf Wiedersehen is an example of everything falling into place. It is a interesting story, has endearing characters and a script that doesn't seem like a script - just the characters saying what you'd expect them to say. All of the characters have their place within the well-balanced team. Most people's favourites are the big-mouthed Oz or the boring Barry, but each member of the group is vital to the whole. Series one sees the group first get together in Germany and forge a strong bond under difficult circumstances. There are then a number of adventures they go through - always with an underlying sense of humour. Series two sees the boys reunite and find work firstly in England and then in Spain. The program begins to fall away when they go to Spain to work, and eventually degenerates into a silly bit of farce. But not to concentrate on the bad bits.... Two series seems to be the limit of any good comedy. However, I'm looking forward to the new series they are making - a reunion nearly 20 years on will be like catching up with old friends.

Stick your Bo'selecta and your little britain where the sun don't shine. Aufpet is a great mix of drama and comedy (black & white humour).

Seris 1 was brilliant. Following the 'maginificent 7' (Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately, Pat Roach, Gary Holton, Christopher fairbank and Timothy spall) as they move to germany for 6 months to get away from england, where they are unemployed.

Seris two reunites the magnificent 7 as they travel across england until they eventually get to spain

Seris 3 introduced a new main character due to Gary Holtons untimely (and mysterious) death. Wyman is waynes son. This seris is probably the weakest of the 4.

Seris 4 was great. All the characters back up to the standards we expect from them and a great story line.

All in all a great seris. This is something which will never die, will you be watching Bo'selecta in 20 years? I doubt it!! I know i'll be watching Aufpet (unless the discs break or something....god help me if they do...)