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Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke had a proven pedigree for creating popular
comedy when Thames commissioned Man About the House in 1973. They had written
for radio, latterly contributing to Round The Horne, and had more recently found
sitcom success on television with Father, Dear Father (ITV, 1968-73).
The new programme focused on a flat share between two young single women, Jo
and Chrissy, and a young single man, trainee chef Robin Tripp. While unafraid to
try and 'swing' in true '70s style, the show generated much dramatic tension
from the ongoing potential for romance between Robin and Chrissy. Their love,
however, remained unconsummated throughout the show's lengthy run. Concurrently,
a sexless drama of a more tragic sort played out through their live-in
landlords, the Ropers, with ageing, frustrated Mildred making do in her
fruitless union with narrow-minded idiot George.
"The situation of Older Generation looking at supposedly Permissive Young
Generation," was how TV Times explained the show. But embarrassing
misunderstandings, gentle innuendo, thwarted attempts to bed 'birds' and the
occasional cheeky glance at someone undressing are about as permissive as Man
About the House ever gets. Despite its modern premise, although many of the
characters espouse 'daring' liberal values, an unspoken regard for the
comforting restrictions of old fashioned British social protocol looms over the
series; nobody ever seems to bed anybody, and narratives are repeatedly resolved
with a cheerful reaffirmation of the chaste status-quo.
Strong performances, consistent characterisations, and genuinely amusing
scripts bolstering sometimes implausible or corny situations are what keep the
show afloat; and amid the more standard comedic fare there are sharp lines in
the script, reflecting the distinctly different attitudes to relationships
separating men and women, that ring both funny and true.
Man About the House features some inspired casting. O'Sullivan is likeable
and charming as Robin; his flirtation with strong-willed Chrissy appears
plausible and unforced. Murphy and Joyce, as George and Mildred, excel in their
depiction of suburban marital despair, sometimes delivering the show's funniest
- and bitterest - lines.
After six series and a feature film, the programme ended in 1976 as Chrissy
married Robin's brother, Norman. There were two successful spin-offs: George And
Mildred (ITV, 1976-79), the better regarded of the two, chronicled the
aspirations of the Ropers in a more affluent neighbourhood; Robin's Nest (ITV,
1977-81) was a flatter, less inspired showcase for an older, greyer Robin Tripp
as a married restaurateur.
Vic Pratt
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1. Embarrassment (2:16)
