Bottle Boys
Encyclopedia
Bottle Boys is a British sitcom which ran for two series on ITV
in 1984 and 1985. Starring Robin Askwith
as football-mad milkman Dave Deacon, the series mined comedy of the broadest sort from randy Dave's amorous adventures, in a style familiar to viewers from the Confessions films which had featured Askwith.
However, as well as the sexual innuendo of his earlier big-screen adventures, Askwith was equally likely to find himself embroiled in more off-the-wall exploits, and found himself at various points in the series dressing up as a cow, inadvertently engaged to Sharon the secretary, and meeting then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (played by an actor).
The part of Dave Deacon was originally written for Jim Davidson
, who was by this time already expanding into sitcom territory with Up the Elephant and Round the Castle
, also on ITV. It was future BBC controller John Birt, during his tenure at London Weekend Television
, who suggested that Askwith take the part.
, writing in the Radio Times Guide to Comedy observes that "ITV sitcoms had often plumbed the depths, but this was the limit", and also notes that Bottle Boys was reputedly despised by comedy executives at ITV. Furthermore, he goes on to pick Bottle Boys as his "worst ever" British sitcom.
Writer Vince Powell
was no stranger to working on shows that attracted a bad press, however, having created two of the most controversial comedy shows of the 1970s - Love Thy Neighbour
and Mind Your Language
.
The programme also made number 97 in Channel Four's 100 Greatest TV Moments from Hell list show, a retrospective of television's low points of the last fifty years.
Series Two (13 July - 24 Aug 1985)
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in 1984 and 1985. Starring Robin Askwith
Robin Askwith
Robin Askwith , is an English film actor, most famous for his role as Timmy Lea in the Confessions... sex comedies.-Confessions...:...
as football-mad milkman Dave Deacon, the series mined comedy of the broadest sort from randy Dave's amorous adventures, in a style familiar to viewers from the Confessions films which had featured Askwith.
However, as well as the sexual innuendo of his earlier big-screen adventures, Askwith was equally likely to find himself embroiled in more off-the-wall exploits, and found himself at various points in the series dressing up as a cow, inadvertently engaged to Sharon the secretary, and meeting then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (played by an actor).
The part of Dave Deacon was originally written for Jim Davidson
Jim Davidson
Jim Davidson may refer to:* Jim Davidson , American actor* Jim Davidson , American football player, played for Ohio State Buckeyes and drafted by the Buffalo Bills* Jim Davidson , Australia author, see Meanjin...
, who was by this time already expanding into sitcom territory with Up the Elephant and Round the Castle
Up the Elephant and Round the Castle
Up the Elephant and Round the Castle was an ITV sitcom which aired from 1983 to 1985, starring comedian Jim Davidson, who played the role of Jim London. The show spawned a sequel, Home James, which was also made by Thames Television. Home James ran from 1987 to 1990. "Up the Elephant and Round the...
, also on ITV. It was future BBC controller John Birt, during his tenure at London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
, who suggested that Askwith take the part.
Critical reception
The series has acquired something of a reputation as one of the worst British sitcoms ever produced. Mark LewisohnMark Lewisohn
Mark Lewisohn is an English author and historian, regarded as the world's leading authority on the English rock band The Beatles.-The Beatles and related subjects:...
, writing in the Radio Times Guide to Comedy observes that "ITV sitcoms had often plumbed the depths, but this was the limit", and also notes that Bottle Boys was reputedly despised by comedy executives at ITV. Furthermore, he goes on to pick Bottle Boys as his "worst ever" British sitcom.
Writer Vince Powell
Vince Powell
Vince Powell was a British television writer.Powell was born as Vincent Smith to Roman Catholic parents in Miles Platting, Manchester. When he was five, his mother died; two years later, his father remarried...
was no stranger to working on shows that attracted a bad press, however, having created two of the most controversial comedy shows of the 1970s - Love Thy Neighbour
Love Thy Neighbour
Love Thy Neighbour was a popular British sitcom, which was aired from 13 April 1972, until 22 January 1976, spanning seven series. The sitcom was produced by Thames Television and broadcast by ITV. The main cast included Jack Smethurst, Rudolph Walker, Nina Baden-Semper and Kate Williams...
and Mind Your Language
Mind Your Language
Mind Your Language is a British comedy television series, that premiered on ITV in late 1977. Produced by LWT and directed by Stuart Allen, it is set in an adult education college in London and focuses on the English as a Foreign Language class taught by Mr. Jeremy Brown, portrayed by Barry Evans,...
.
The programme also made number 97 in Channel Four's 100 Greatest TV Moments from Hell list show, a retrospective of television's low points of the last fifty years.
Cast
- Robin AskwithRobin AskwithRobin Askwith , is an English film actor, most famous for his role as Timmy Lea in the Confessions... sex comedies.-Confessions...:...
- Dave Deacon - David AukerDavid Auker- Filmography :Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason .... Clive*aka Bridget Jones - Am Rande des Wahnsinns *aka Bridget Jones - L'age 2 raison *aka Bridget Jones 2...
- Billy Watson - Oscar JamesOscar JamesOscar James is a Trinidadian actor, who is based in the United Kingdom. He has had a long and varied career, but is best known for appearing on British television, in particular the BBC soap opera EastEnders, where he played original character, Tony Carpenter, for over two years...
- Joe Phillips - Phil McCallPhil McCallPhil McCall was a Glaswegian actor who appeared in numerous films and television productions over a 40 year period.-Early life and education:...
- Jock Collins - Richard DaviesRichard Davies (actor)Richard Davies is a Welsh actor, from Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales whose film and TV work covers many years but is probably best known for his performance as the exasperated schoolmaster Mr Price in the LWT popular situation comedy Please Sir!.Davies uses a broad Welsh accent for much of his...
- Stan Evans - Eve Ferret - Sharon Armstrong
- Patrick NewellPatrick NewellPatrick David Newell was a British actor known for his large size. It is reputed he gained weight as a deliberate attempt to boost his career, marking him out for some niche roles...
- Mr Dawson - Leo Dolan -Wilf Foley
- Ann Michelle (one episode)
- Zara NutleyZara NutleyZara Nutley is a British television actress born in New Zealand, well-known for playing the role of Ms. Dolores Courtney, the college principal in the comedy series Mind Your Language and Aunt Eleanor in the comedy series Never the Twain. She also played the role of Mrs...
(one episode) - Candy DavisCandy DavisCandy Davis is an English actress and model. She won the Miss Nude pageant in 1982 and subsequently took on the role as the buxom blonde secretary, Miss Belfridge, on the last two seasons of the British sitcom Are You Being Served?...
(one episode) - Pam St. ClementPam St. ClementPamela Ann Clement , known by the stage name Pam St. Clement, is an English actress. She has played Pat Evans in the BBC soap opera EastEnders since 1986, and is now one of the programme's longest-serving cast members. St. Clement announced her intention to leave EastEnders on 8 July 2011 and will...
(one episode) - Don HendersonDon HendersonDon Henderson was an English actor whose film and TV work covered many years but is best remembered for his role as the fictional detective George Bulman...
(one episode) - Bernie WintersBernie WintersBernie Winters was an English comedian and the comic relief of the double act, Mike and Bernie Winters with his brother, Mike. He later performed solo, often with the aid of his St...
- himself (one episode)
Episodes
Series One (1 Sep - 6 Oct 1984):- Fools Rush In
- God Save Our Dairy
- Danger Women at Work
- All in a Day's Work
- One Good Turn
- Here Comes the Groom
Series Two (13 July - 24 Aug 1985)
- Things That Go Bump in the Night
- I Gotta Horse
- Out of the Frying Pan
- If the Cap Fits
- High Noon
- I Love Paris
- The Milk Cup Runneth Over
External links
- review of episode ‘here comes the groom’
- review of episode ‘danger, woman at work’
- review of episode ‘all in a day’s work’
- review of episode ‘one good turn’
- review of episode ‘I got a horse’
- review of episode ‘Out of the Frying Pan’
- review of episode ‘High Noon’
- review of episode ‘I Love Paris’
- review of episode ‘The Milk Cup Runneth Over’