Terry and June

I used to enjoy "Happy Ever After", but was absolutely hypnotised by "Terry & June". With Aunt Lucy gone, the emphasis seemed to fall more heavily on the relationship between Terry and June, a middle aged, middle class English couple, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, losing myself quite happily in each episode.

The 1980s were the era of alternative comedy, but they were also the decade of choice - and Terry and June certainly suited more traditional tastes. And mine - and I was a huge fan of "The Young Ones", too! Each week, Terry got into a silly situation and June got pulled in herself and usually ended up having to bail him out. How dated the shows seem now - it was a different world, but it's great fun to see trends of the 1980s featured - such as the CB radio storyline of 1982 (CB radio was legalised in England in November 1981), which saw Terry imprisoned in his car in the back of a lorry! I've been watching the shows again recently on DVD, and I still think they're terrific! Not loved by the enlightened elite - the chattering classes, but a huge hit with the masses! Wonderful!

This show lasted for most of the 1980s, and had its moments, but plots were usually dishwater thin and often painfully unfunny.

Terry Scott and June Whitfield were wasted in this sitcom, they both deserved better, but it does provide some fond memories and I have found myself smiling at some repeated scenes. June Whitfield's talent for comedy is allowed to shine through on occasion (when she is not being a foil to Terry) and she really is clever.

The 1980s is the last decade where you will find this kind of middle class, middle aged comedy, and many people remember it fondly, but I prefer to remember the decade for alternative comedy and the biting satire of Spitting Image.

I can remember both of these actors long before they started in this series but Terry and June was the one that really cemented their relationship on TV and many people thought of them as a REAL couple, so well did they bond together in front of the camera.OK,the scripts may NOT have been mind-blowing thus NOT over-stretching the talents of the two experienced actors but that said the shows ratings were high season after season while it was shown which is more than can be said for a lot of the "alternative-style-comedians" which have been mentioned by other reviewers.Also it is an absolute certainty that NO letters of complaint with regard to either the shows content or spoken material was received at the BBC which again is in contrast to most of the aforementioned alternative comedians so favoured by many of todays young audiences?These shows may be regarded by many as "fuddy-duddy" for want of a better term BUT look carefully and see how good comedy was really done, without the necessity of swearing or reference to body-parts or bodily functions to TRY to get a laugh!

People who do not "get" Terry & June do not appreciate the classic British humour behind the programme. Terry Scott plays the everyman husband to perfection with a daft script fully latching into the "Carry On" vibe of the period.

It is in the same vein as "The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin", "Fawlty Towers" and "The Good Life". Why? Because it captures the quintessential essence of the period it was made and extrapolates everyday situations until it hits the correct note of farce and silliness. This plays to the strengths of one of the true comedy legends of 70/80s British TV and film.

Yes it's safe, yes it's homely, but that is what 90% of life was like in those days, and to a certain degree now. The main difference being that actors of the calibre of Terry Scott and June Whitfield do not appear in mainstream television these days.

So settle back married suburban man, with a nice beer, and watch the repeats of this fun comedy safe in the knowledge that you are watching a true comedy great, bumbling through a programme in the manner of an Oliver Hardy or Tony Hancock. Always trying his best but failing.

And remember this, married men - you are actually watching a mirror of your own life, without the laughter of a studio audience to ease the pain. "June! June!"

Terry and June was one of the classic British sitcoms in my opinion. You knew what to expect - and ain't that just so typical! :) Unlike modern sitcoms with utterly contrived plots, this show is still a breath of fresh air. How lovely not see or hear remarks about bodily functions or not to see a family PERPETUALLY late for breakfast or a family with impossible teenagers. And therein is the secret: Terry & June was based on a middle class couple living in relative harmony in stead of today's strained plots with the 'de rigueur' dysfunctional family (made to look hip).

Personally, I vote the "Bridge to far" episode as one of the best. In a way, Terry's antics reminds me of Basil Fawlty - both sometimes getting almost impossibly embarrassing!

Terry & June comes highly recommended. Have your tea and biscuits ready!