Prospects

I was only 11 when this show came out so saw it through the eyes of a kid. Re-discovered it this week and watched 12 episodes over a few days. Amazing to see what "Dog Island" looked like in 1986 to what it looks like now. You can clearly see that it brushes against its Euston Films TV show brother "Minder" however Prospects is more real, more genuine and clearly aimed at a younger audience who were equally disillusioned by the issues of 1986. If you can find this show, give it a go.

Prospects was a fantastic series shown on Channel 4 in 1986 over 12 weeks, (filmed all through 1985) and has become a cult series in its own right. Starring the late Gary Olsen and Brian Bovell, it also featured a host of well known British character actors. It followed the fortunes of 2 young men on the dole, who are desperate to hit the big time and make money using any scams or schemes going. Made by the same people behind Minder, writer Alan Janes penned all 12 episodes - and also wrote Minder episodes as well. For some bizarre reason, only one series was ever made - probably due to the fact that the show was repeated in 1987 on ITV in a prime time TV slot, but didn't get enough viewer ratings for the team behind it to make some more. It's a perfect slice of 80s comedy/drama, made so good by the incredible talent of Olsen who was perfect as Jimmy Pince. Episodes were as follows: 1. THE P TO S DAY: Pincy and Billy set up a dating company, as well as a burglar alarm fitting company, but as ever seem to spend all their time getting out of scrapes.

2. PARTNERS IN BRINE: Pincy has big dreams of setting up a marina theme park - not bad when you only have your dole cheque each week to live on.

3. UNCLE HARRY'S SYSTEM: Pincy thinks he has found a foolproof way to make money betting on greyhounds.

4. DIRTY WEEKEND: Pincy and Billy plan a camping holiday with their girlfriends 5. RODENT ENGINEERS: Pincy and Billy decide to start their own ratcatching business 6. STANDING ON YOUR OWN ONE FOOT: Pincy and Billy move into a new flat and have a run in with the would-be local councillor who happens to be a racist 7. SUBTERRANEAN PIG SICK BLUES: Pincy thinks he has stumbled on the perfect bank robbery, whilst also launching a scam involving dirty magazines 8. FRYING TONIGHT: Pincy and Billy get a job at the local chippy, and end up giving marriage guidance to the owner George.

9. FOUR MEN IN A BOAT: Pincy and Billy get casual work as waiters on a wedding boat 10. FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK LANE: Billy falls in love with the headstrong would-be pop star Bev 11. RUNNING ALL THE WAY PART ONE: Pincy and Billy get sent to prison after being fitted up by the police 12. RUNNING ALL THE WAY PART TWO: Pincy and Billy must decide between a life on the run or doing their time in prison This series is perfect for all those who think back wishfully to the great 80s of Thatcher's Britain, the show is hilarious and by the end of it you will identify so much with the main characters.

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.

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...