Mulberry

I rely on PBS for quality TV and a much-needed break from the violence on American broadcasts. Fell in love with Mulberry the first time I saw it, and am so glad to see it being shown once again. Gentle, funny, poignant, intelligent...it has everything a person could want in good humor. I heartily agree with all of the commentators who also love it. I'm so looking forward to scenes that were downright hilarious, but don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not yet had the opportunity to enjoy it. However, I will comment that the British are not at all afraid to feature aging or aged characters as their leads. It's refreshing to realize that someone somewhere appreciates the richness of the lives of the more senior among us. Mulberry is one program where you can find that pleasure.

I can only just imagine a writer going into the chief of BBC and explaining they want to make a sitcom, where an agent of the Grim Reaper has the responsibility of taking the acidic Miss Farnaby to the other side, career suicide? Now perhaps, but in 1992 there was a different attitude, plus the BBC knew how to make sitcoms.

It is a joy to watch, the show has a wonderfully delicate, gentle demeanour, even though the subject is perhaps a little grim, but the journey and transformation of Miss Farnaby from spindly spinster to a sweet, amiable, fun loving person is wonderful, the reason why the show works so well.

The actors work incredibly well together. McEwan was always a favourite of mine, such a strong willed actress, I adored her in Marple, as she always had a cheeky glint in the eye, here she showed that comedy truly was her forte. Karl Howman was fabulous, a comedy king in the eighties and early nineties, his soft manner and handsome looks made him perfect for the role, sadly this was pretty much the last quality show he was part of. John Bennett was wonderful, one of the best actors I can think of, Selby was good, as was Mary Healey, who replaced Lill Roughley. I can remember being miffed that Healey was brought in, but I think her style suited the character better. Caroline Blakiston was always great as Adele, and I remember a fabulous performance from Sylvia Syms.

I'm glad there were two series. I loved it. 10/10

Ingenious, sweet-natured, and perhaps even better focused for being a limited-run series -- the actors seem to be having a great time and the scripts are really well-crafted. The local (Seattle) PBS station is running these and they're worth watching the schedule for!

Why is it that we must rely on our PBS stations to bring us some fun, witty comedy from Britain. Right now, BBC America is trying to fix up: homes, bodies and sell houses in the countryside.

Mulberry(Karl Howman) is the cute and funny story of Death's(John Bennett) son's first "assignment". It comes in the form of Miss Farnaby(Geraldine McEwan). Realizing that Miss Farnaby hasn't really had a good life, he gets an extension from his father and takes it upon himself to liven up her life. Along with his affect on Miss Farnaby, he crosses path with her servants, the Finches: Albert(Tony Selby) and Alice(Mary Healey). The Finch's were war orphans from London in 1940 who eventually marry and go to work for the Farnabys.

The chemistry between the actors is incredible. When the actors in a show love working together, the viewer can tell. I could definitely tell that these people enjoyed working together. I do recommend this show for the light comedy for anyone who enjoys British humor. There is nothing like Mulberry falling off a cliff and waking up in the morgue because he can't die. As he returns to Miss Farnaby's home, he causes havoc. It's hilarious.

In fact, when it aired on PBS we taped it. We have all but 2 episodes. Our video cassettes are wearing thin. Right now, BBC America is deciding whether to add it to it's catalog. I would hope that anyone who has enjoyed this show to request it so others can enjoy what my family and others have enjoyed.

Laura

Mulberry is the son of the grim reaper and his first job is to bring the rather dower old maiden Miss Farnaby to "the other side." Only he finds, instead, ways of showing her how to live a life she has always regretted she never had, and in the process fails hilariously at his the job he is supposed to be inheriting from his father. The interactions with the other household staff are a constant source of mayhem. Despite the consternation of her staff, Miss Farnaby manages to blossom under the tutelage of the mysterious Mulberry.

This is one of the most enjoyable of the British Comedy TV series I have ever seen and I regret that it is only 13 episodes long. Every one that I have seen is a gem and I keep wishing my PBS station would re-run the series.