Prospects

From the early days of Channel 4, this program was a breath of fresh air reminded me of my youth in the east End it was full of laughs with a serious side as well, for some reason it has never been repeated, 10/10

All the main cast have also appeared in "the Bill at some time or other, And Brian Bovell having great success as Jez in the great comedy Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. it's also ashame when we lose such talent as Gary Olsen who died of cancer in 2000.

I just wish they would show a rerun of this great Comedy.

A bit late to the minder/only fools and horses party, this is a desperate attempt to get in on the act.

Positives first: it's wonderfully evocative of the mid-80s - not grim and bleak in a "boys from the blackstuff" way, but has a more optimistic visual appeal, from when fashions and hairstyles were starting to improve a little. The script isn't completely bad, it's just not that great, with the occasional good line. There is loads of wonderful location filming, in a much changed London.

The trouble is, it really is a transparent rip-off of minder. Instead of the father/son, dynamic of that great show, we have two likely lads (another touchstone) of about the same age as each other. Their ducking and diving is hackneyed and uninspired - Arthur Daley cornered the market (so to speak) in dodgy products like fire damaged fire extinguishers. These guys are really in his shadow. The acting is poor - I don't wish to speak ill of the late Gary Olsen, and I have seen him do much better in other things, but his take on the geezer here is really lame. His co-conspirator, Bovell, is similarly weak.. There is what is fondly known as a "cast of characters" surrounding them, market traders, racist police, all the stock personae. It's not bad, and at only 12 episodes, worth a watch, but probably won't live up to the memories of a lot of people.

On a sidenote, the theme tune, by Ray Dorset of Mungo Jerry is wistful and evocative, as are the opening titles... A promised mood that is never delivered.

I have it on DVD and have had it for some years, but I believe it is difficult to get hold of now. This is a poor quality reproduction - in the credits, Dorset sounds like he was recorded off another TV into a cassette recorder. There are no subtitles and the dialogue is very muffled. Apart from all that...

I remember this series well, I watched it for the fabulous Hazel O'Connor (Breaking Glass fame) She had a guest part in the series and also wrote and sang 2 songs ('Today could be so good' and 'We tried' Released on red bus records. There were a lot of people i recognised in the series who were then unknown!

I remember being glued to the set at the time as I'm sure many others were!! There was an album to accompany the series too. The theme tune was OK too, I'm sure this was a 12 part series. I would love to see this series released on DVD. It was produced by the same people who did Minder.

Having painfully waited and waited for this memorable series to be repeated on uk gold or elsewhere. I finally located the full 12 episodes on ebay (HUGE thankyou to my new best friend in the southwest!). As anyone visiting these pages will fondly remember, Olsen and Bovell left quite a mark playing these lovable rogues mildly flaunting the law with such an innocent lovable demeanour. Whilst all the time searching for the "Big One" an idea or enterprise that would see them set for life and handed the freedom of the city!!!. Although i recall at the time being totally gutted that no second series was ever filmed, it probably adds something to the nostalgic memories it all conjures up, that only the 12 episodes were ever delivered. The excellent writing and raw performances given by these pair will long continue to be amongst my fondest TV thoughts. With the first two episodes down i can't wait to get home for No.3 "Uncle Harry's system" tonight......or of course i could go home ill at lunchtime hehe.

A ten out of ten score may seem a bit high, but I simply couldn't give it anything below.

PROSPECTS was absolutely brilliant, from the spot on chemistry and casting of the two main protagonists, to the stereotypical but entertaining villains "Stretch" and "Tubbsy".

I was GUTTED that this series got cancelled after one classic series. The stories were great, the acting was superb and more than anything... THE THEME SONG!!!

How brilliant a theme. If you never heard it go and hunt it down.

"Is it just another day? Or will Prospects find a way? On the crumbling city streets, Working for tomorrow"

Or something like that.

I loved this show so much, that I ran into the criminally unsung Brian Bovell at a cinema in London and held him up (with his girlfriend), while I sung him the whole theme song. I'm sure he hasn't forgotten it and believe me... neither will I.

I loved Prospects and I sincerely hope it gets a DVD release.